Tourists who are staying at the hotels in Guardalavaca, Playa Esmeralda or Playa Pesquero on Cuba's North coast may wonder if Holguin - the closest city - would be worth a visit. Yes, it's true: Holguin boasts no major attraction, no national treasures… but it has a life of its own that may be worth a closer look:. The fact that Holguin lacks decent night life has one major advantage: bored natives congregate in the parks, in bars and in restaurants on Saturday night - ready to party and turning the city center into an open-air party scene - free of charge.
Photo: Central park Galixta Garcia. All Holguin photos in this section by TravelAdmin. Although Holguin's slogan reads, "Siempre adelante - Always ahead", you get the distinct impression that Holguin somehow got stuck in a previous century. The city center around Parque Calixto Garcia has modern buildings - but venture into any of the side streets and you'll find yourself on dirt roads, with ancient dwellings and citizens who pump their water at the local well. You may wonder what the Cubans say who work in the hotels You have just discovered Holguin's essence: its vast contrasts.
The bodegas are regularly out of milk, but the main department store sells flat-screen TVs. Transportation is by horses, bicycles, and rickshaws - but you count at least 10 late-model cars parked in front of the CUC-only "Pico Cristal" restaurant. Photo: Restored street in the city center, bustling with activity. Holguin's streets are alive late at night, even on weekdays. Little girls play jump rope if they have one and the boys baseball or football or soccer, whichever their improvised toys permit.
Adults sit around and share a smoke, a beer, or conversation. This is where all those parks come in handy. Bars, shops, and restaurants are well-attended, and the main streets are bustling with activity. Provocatively clad girls dance to the beat in the middle of the roadway. Young men stand in groups and smoke or gesture. They all seem to wait for something to happen. What for? Maybe for the discos and clubs to re-open.
Many discos in Holguin were closed for reasons unknown. Photo: Dusk in Holguin City Center - soon, the park will be packed with people. Holguin is not a city where tourist accommodation is clustered around attractions. Curiously, there are no tourist hotels in the vicinity of the three main squares. If you would like to stay in this area, your only option is a private Bed and Breakfast Casa Particular. Either of these locations is good to book accommodations.
