Hostels in CIENFUEGOS, CUBA

City Cienfuegos - Explore the Pearl of the South

Nicknamed as the “Pearl of the South", in reference to its spectacular beauty of its bay and the nobility of its descendants, which showcases impressive aborigine and Hispanic legends, Cienfuegos is a popular tourist location. The city has drawn heavily from the French influence of its colonial days and even now you can see many architectural designs and stained glass windows in its palaces and mansions. From music to culture, exciting outdoors and beaches, this city is an interesting melting pot of some of the best things you could ever ask for!

History
The civilization of this city traces back to 1819 when French immigrants made this city their home. Its original name was Cacicazgo de Jagua, in honor of Ferdinand VII of Spain as named by the settlers of Spanish. In 1829 the settlement became a town and in 1880, a city, which was named as Cienfuegos, after the Captain General at that time, in the island. During the Cuban Revolution the city was bombed in 1957 as the consequence of the uprising against Fulgencio Batista.

Popular Places
There are many interesting things to see in this city including the UNESCO listed historic centre. The Jagua Fortress is a famous landmark of this city. Standing tall near the Bay of Cienfuegos, it was set up by the Spanish king Philip V in the 1740s to defend the bay from the attacks of the Caribbean pirates. The Cienfuegos Province Botanical Garden, spreading over 97 hectares is the oldest of its kind and was founded by the couple Edwin F. Atkins and his wife in 1901. In case you are looking for some pure fun in the company of the playful marine creatures, head to the Delfinario, the famous saltwater lagoon is visited for its dolphins and sea lions. This city has many reclusive and pristine beaches including Playa Rancho Luna, where you can indulge in an array of beach activities.

Getting Around
Public transport buses are the most common travel option in this city. Car rentals and taxis are convenient options if you wish to explore the city at your convenience, for easier travel a good guide is to have some change handy to pay for your journey. Boats, bicycle rentals and hitch hiking are the other options on offer in this city.

Places of Entertainment   
Lively nightclubs, cabarets, floating discos, bars and pubs enliven the evenings. The lively city squares are great hang out places to mingle with the locals. There are all possible types of shopping options in this city from swanky malls to open air flea markets where you could scout for electronic items, souvenirs and local crafts.

Accommodation Options
Beach resorts, budget hotels, bed & breakfast, youth hostels, inns and guesthouses there is an exciting range of accommodation options to make your pick from.

Currency
The official national currency of Cuba is the Peso, each of which is 100 centavos. The various denominations on offer include 1, 3, 5,10,20,50 and 100, for the latest exchange rates check the internet and news.  Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) is accepted in all establishments including hotels and tourist places.

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