Quick Facts

Located in the Granma province of Cuba, Manzanillo de Cuba is known for its battles in the Sierra Maestra Mountains where Fidel Castro conquered Batista’s dictatorship. The shores of the city reside in the Gulf of Guacanayabo. This destination is mainly aimed at people looking for rest and relaxation and is a major port city in eastern Cuba.

Getting There & Other Transportation

When going to Manzanilla de Cuba, your flight will take you into the Sierra Maestra Airport. This airport is located 100 km from town and the best way to get to and from the airport is by taxi. Make sure you discuss fare before stepping into the taxi.

Thousands of kilometers are to be discovered with a car, jeep or motorcycle rental. A moped ride along a winding path gets you up close and personal with the flora and fauna.

Remember, there is an airport tax of 25 Cuban convertible pesos per person to be paid when leaving the country.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Hotels offer all-inclusive packages as well as all the usual water sport activities and 17 diving or snorkeling sites surrounding the area (the best are located near Cape Cruz).

Here are some hotels of interest:

Club Amigo Marea del Portillo

Hotel Islazul Guacanayabo

Dining & Nightlife

When dining here, keep in mind that Cuban cuisine in general is not known to be top notch. However, try the local dish of roast pork and fried white mullet, a typical fish from Mazanillo.

There aren’t many nightclubs or activities to do outside of your resort. It is recommended to enjoy your resort bars and nighttime entertainment that the staff has lined up for guests.

Attractions

The Marea del Portillo beach is composed of dark sand and has a gorgeous backdrop of the Sierra Maestra Mountains.

The National Park of Sierra Maestro is 527 000 hectares of beautiful and lush mountains, flora and fauna.

Snorkeling and diving is a popular water sport and the best location to do so is near Cape Cruz. Speak to your hotel concierge regarding tours and boat trips that venture to the best areas.

Nature walks are a popular mode of activity seeing as Manzanillo de Cuba is so close to the lush Sierra Maestra Mountains.

Day trips to Santiago de Cuba and Holguin are available. Santiago de Cuba is known for its cultural festivals and a tour of the city includes stops at: Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, El Cobre Church, San Pedro de la Roca del Morro fortress, the museum of Colonial Art and Cespedes Park. In Holguin there are many parks, monuments and historical buildings set in square, not to mention beautiful beaches.

Currency, Culture and Language

The official language in Cuba is Spanish.

There are two official currencies in Cuba: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC)