Puerto Padre, Cuba

Las Tunas is one of the provinces of Cuba. Major towns include Puerto Padre, Amancio, and the capital city, Las Tunas (historically Victoria de Las Tunas). Las Tunas, a name coming from the characteristic vegetation of the area, it not a province excessively big or popular. Considered as the Oriental part of Cuba, closer to Haiti than the Havana, it is known as the “Orient Balcony” also has its own charm. Its history and folklore are found in every corner of one of the most rural areas in Cuba, which makes it more welcoming. In the capital of the province, Las Tunas, you will have the chance of discovering the culture of its nice likable with just having a walk through its streets and keep watching the quantity of sculptures which are raised in every corner of the city. More than a hundred figures decorate the capital, known also as “the City of Sculptures”. This fact shows the cultural interest of the Tuneros, which take care and remind at all times its history and traditions.

Its shaken belic past has given way to a culturally wealthy province, due to this among the monuments you should not hesitate in visiting there are the General Vicente García Provincial Museum, the Barbados Martyrs Memorial Museum, the Casa Natal del Mayor General Vicente García Birth House or the known as El Cornito or Cucalambé Park, where take place annually the Cucalambeana Days. Furthermore, as exhibits the perfection of the most worshipped art of the region, you will understand the importance of the sculpture by visiting the original Plaza Martiniana Square and the imposing Plaza de la Revolución de Las Tunas Square.

Regarding the sculptoric works of the most significant ones of the Tunero identity do not miss the beauty of ‘Antillas Fountain’, ‘Trabajo Monument’, ‘Alfabetizacion Monument’, or the mythical ‘Contrapuestas Figures or Cabezas de Indio’; since all of them count with key moments in the history of the Tuneros.

If you decide to get to know deeper the province, there are two relevant areas which will complement your trip to the Orient of the country. On one way, Cabaniguán Mountain, located at the South of the city of Jobabo and it hosts the second Natural Reservation of Cuba, protected at international level by the Ramsar Convention. On the other hand, the portuary city of Puerto Padre, it opens the gates not just of the history of the city with the Loma Fort and the Fernando García Grave de Peralta Municipal Museum; but also a compound of virgin beaches and less frequented through the majority of the year which will allow you to enjoy the Cuban paradise. Among the most beautiful ones stand out the Herradura, La Llanita and La Boca; just as Punta Covarrubias which counts with the first all-inclusive resort of the province.

It is the perfect chance to combine the culture and resting in one of the most exotic areas, known by few, of the country.

If you are wondering about the most interesting dates to visit the ‘Orient Balcony’, any moment is a good one to do it. On the month of November you can enjoy the Ánfora Magic International Festival, which is celebrated along a week and where you will find the most recognized professional, at national level as well as international. From February on and for two months you can enjoy Artistic Events such as the Bienal de Escultura Rita Longa or more spring time event with the La Plástica in April or El Salón Nacional de Pequeño Formato, some of the great sculpture are events.

On the other hand, every weekend takes place in Las Tunas the customary festivity of Cuban Rodeos or every June the famous Cucalambeanas Days, so representative of the Tunera culture.

As you can see, every moment is an ideal occasion to get to know Las Tunas.