Soaking up the seaside vibes of Cienfuegos
Good advice usually comes from first-hand experience. So when a friend of mine suggested I stop off at Cienfuegos, I quickly factored it into my itinerary. After visiting Viñales, it fitted in nicely as a stopover before heading to Trinidad.
Situated on the southern coast of Cuba, Cienfuegos boasts a rich blend of French and Spanish colonial architecture, earning it the nickname ‘La Perla del Sur’ or “The Pearl of the South.”
The city’s well-preserved historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing elegant buildings, parks, and plazas that offer a glimpse into the past.
For anyone wishing to travel at a slower pace, Cienfuegos offers a lovely respite, with its delightful mix of seaside vibes within the buzz of a small city.
A surprisingly good place for shopping
There were three main things I liked about Cienfuegos: The beautiful buildings, scenic waterfront, and the surprising number of shops. It’s extremely out of character for me to draw emphasis on shopping whilst travelling, but one thing you soon discover in Cuba are the lack of shops. Even supermarkets are few and far between, and the shelves are often sparse.
With that in mind, before travelling to Cuba, make sure to pack everyday items because you’ll have difficulty finding them in Cuba. However, if you do forget things, your best bet at finding items is in Cienfuegos!
I’d read about this before travelling to Cuba, but still underestimated how difficult it would be to find essential items.
Stupidly, I didn’t pack essentials like soap, nail clippers, plasters or even a hairbrush. Needless to say, by the time I arrived in Cienfuegos after several days of getting sweaty in the heat and dirty from horse riding and hiking around Vinales, I looked like a bedraggled street rat peeping out from the sewers in broad daylight.
Seeing shops selling chocolate, clothing, and perfume felt nothing short of a mirage. Even if the chocolate was exactly Belgium’s finest, clothing not to my taste, and perfume too overbearing, it was better than nothing. For the first time in a week, I was able to bask in the quiet luxury of some basic pampering.
One of Cuba’s most prosperous cities
Cienfuegos doesn’t have the grit and grime of sprawling Havana. Instead, it shines like a happy seaside town.
It is often considered one of the wealthier cities in Cuba, particularly when compared to some other parts of the country. Historically, the city has had a strong economic base due to its port and trade activities, which have contributed to a relatively higher standard of living for its residents compared to other regions.
Furthermore, since Cienfuegos became a UNESCO World Heritage Site it has continued to prosper. Lonely Planet describes it well:
“While much of Cuba is visibly reeling in the current economic crisis, Cienfuegos seems to positively glitter… And with much-needed UNESCO money now arriving, as well as growing industrial clout, the future for the city and its fine array of 19th-century architecture looks bright.”
Lonely Planet
Exploring Cienfuegos by foot
This being said, it’s only a small city that can be explored on foot in less than a couple of hours. As such, visiting Cienfugoes doesn’t require longer than a night.
We didn’t do much besides potter around, but we were craving some down time after our sensory overload in Havana and the outdoor activities we did in Vinales. It offered us a scenic place to relax, stroll and enjoy. With its pastel-coloured walls and American vintage walls, it felt like I had been transported back in time to 1950s America. The main streets looked perfect, like something out of an old Hollywood film.
Visitors can stroll through Parque José Martí, the central square, and admire iconic landmarks like City Hall (pictured above) and the Palacio de Valle, known for its distinctive architectural style.
Cienfuegos also offers access to the beautiful Jagua Bay, where you can enjoy water activities, relax on sandy beaches, or take boat trips to nearby cays. You can also visit Laguna Guanaroca which I didn’t know about until after I visit. It looks really beautiful, brimming with birdlife like flamingoes, so try and go if you can.
If you decide to do these things, then two nights in Cienfuegos will probably be better – or maybe you can head to Laguna Guanaroca on the day you leave… either way, you have options!
Playing Chess in Cienfuegos
My highlight came when I stumbled across a chess club. I gestured to the players inside if I could come in and they were more than welcoming. The club had lots of cool photos of Che playing chess, mixed in with famous chess players like a baby-faced Magnus Carlson. If I lived in Cienfuegos, I’d be hanging out at the place all the time!
I ended up having a game and lost quite dramatically, as was predicted! Whilst I was playing, Ruchi managed to charm most of the sweet, older men in the club. She even gave her number to one of them to keep in touch as pen pals! Yeh… pen pals… I’m not sure I believe her.
So is Cienfuegos worth visiting?
Yes!
Ensure you wander further away from the town centre to more residential areas where the streets become quieter but are still packed with lots of charm and colour, albeit a little more tired looking.
All in all, Cienfuegos might not have the captivating Cuban soul of Havana or the abundance of restaurants and bars you’ll find in Trinidad, but its carefree energy and array of eclectic buildings deserve a place in your trip to Cuba.
If you have more time, or want to travel further afield there are a variety of day excursions you can do too, including a trip to El Nicho waterfall and the unique experience of seeing flamingoes in flight at Laguna Guanaroca.
Where to stay
Hotel La Union is a landmark building. If you’re looking to mix things up between homestays and hotels, then it’s the only hotel you need for the job.
Located in the middle of the city with an eye-catching exterior, it offers a slice of unapologetic luxury when you want nothing more than to relax and indulge for a night or two.
5 responses
It looks that you had an amazing experience of this nice city, thanks for sharing this post. Your pictures are really very classic and alluring.
I did – it was very short and sweet. Worth a visit, for sure!
I admit to not knowing much about Cuba, other than I’d like to go there soon! Cienfuegos looks like an amazing little town – I love their colorful colonial architecture!
Go there soon Nick! Cienfuegos is a very cute and photographic city, definitely worth at least a night in your itinerary.
Seems like you had a great time there.. Cienfuegos looks like a beautiful little town!
Loves the pictures!!