Revolutionary Trails

Bay of Pigs

The Bay of Pigs on the southern coast of Cuba was the site of the US-sponsored invasion by Cuban exiles in 1961. Attempting to overthrow the Castro regime, the invasion was a spectacular failure. A small museum at the nearby Playa Giron commemorates the abortive effort.

Santa Clara

The historic university town of Santa Clara was the site of the last major battle of the Cuban Revolution in December 1958. Che Guevara and his small band of soldiers attacked a heavily armoured train carrying arms to Santiago and defeated the numerically superior government troops. The defeat led to Batista fleeing the country, paving the way for Castro and Guevara to enter Havana. Today the Revolutionary Plaza contains the imposing Che Guevara Monument, the mausoleum for the revolutionary and his comrades who died in Bolivia. The Armoured Train Museum tells the story of the fateful final battle.

Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra

The Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra is a spectacular national park found amongst the Sierra Maestra Mountains, Cuba's largest range, which is famous as the base for Cuba's Revolutionaries in the 1950s. Comandancia de la Plata, the secret hideout of Castro and Guevara and base of Radio Rebelde which fed information to the revolutionaries, lies high in the mountains in lush jungle landscape and can be reached by a 3km hike from El Alto de Naranjo. The site includes a small museum, field kitchen and the command centre from where Castro planned the revolution and its aftermath. The park contains tow of Cuba's highest peaks, Pico Turquino (1972m) and Pico Cuba (1872m), which offer spectacular views of the region from their summits.

Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba is the country's second city, located on the east of the island. Founded in 1514 it served as Cuba's capital until it was abandoned in 1553 when the capital was moved to Havana. Further settlement by the French and African slaves gave the city a unique cultural mix that make it one of the most interesting places in Cuba. Santiago is the centre of Cuban music and its bars and nightlife are legendary. The city has been the epicentre of revolution for centuries and it was here in 1953 that Fidel Castro and his followers attacked the Moncada Barracks, a disastrous assault but one which kick-started the revolution. Six years later on January 1st, 1959, Castro returned to Santiago to proclaim the success of the revolution. The Plaza de la Revolucion has a monument to the Independence heroes while the impressive Santa Ifigenia cemetery contains the grave of independence hero Jose Marti. Outside of town the Castillo del Morro fort is one of the best preserved in Cuba and commands excellent views over the harbour and the Sierra Maestra Mountains.