Camaguey may lack the waterside charm of Havana and Santiago, yet it is one of the country’s most historic cities and also one of its most cultured – providing a haven of refinement in a region otherwise characterized by its cattle breeding culture.

With tourism still in its infancy here, Camaguey remains as arguably the most authentic example of the classic Cuban city.

Camaguey reveals a rich colonial art, being the city that, after Havana, has the largest amount of colonial and historical constructions, most of them dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.

In Camaguey we find some of the finest colonial churches, for example the Convent of Merced was one of the biggest in Cuba at the time it was built, and the Cathedral of this city is larger than Havana’s.

The atmosphere is gentle with life moving at the same pace as the horses and carts and bicycles on the narrow streets of the centre.

One of the symbols of Camaguey, which by the way you can’t miss, are the famous “Tinajones”- large terracotta urns, now a days used to contain water, those came to Cuba and America for the first time on board of Spanish ships, carrying oil, wines and several other products that were used for trading at this side of the world.

Historical points of interest are the Ignacio Agramonte local museum, and the Academy of Arts. the cigar factory is worth a visit.

Arriving in Santa Lucia by road you will first come to the roundabout. Turning left leads you to the hotels; on your way you will come across the 24 Hrs petrol station, where you can also buy beverages at very reasonable prices.

Between the petrol station and the hotels you will find the residential area, where most of the hotel workers live now a day, this area used to be the residential area for worthy Cubans, inhabiting this part of the country. Today you find here the international clinic, which offers services to foreign visitors, the bank and two restaurants.

Only a few Km from Mayanabo you will find the marvellous Los Cocos Beach or better known as Coco Beach, which offers a beach bar and several seafood restaurants. Nearby is the Real Lagoon with its resident pink flamingos.

Many consider Santa Lucia’s coral reef the second greatest in the world, after the one in Australia, it attracts scuba divers from everywhere