Santiago de Cuba, capital of Cuba's southeastern Santiago de Cuba province, sits on a bay off the Caribbean Sea. Founded by the Spanish in 1515, it's known for colonial architecture and revolutionary history. The city's distinctive Afro-Cuban cultural influences are on display during July's Carnaval, a days-long festival with drum-beating parades featuring colorful costumes and son dancing, a precursor to salsa.

 Santiago de Cuba is one of three cities (along with Havana and Cienfuegos) called on by Fathom's Adonia, the first U.S. cruise ship visiting Cuba. 

Top things to do & see

• Parque Cespedes,one of the main plazas in the city. It is ringed by impressive buildings, spanning from the colonial Casa de Diego Velazquez to the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) from whose balcony Fidel Casto proclaimed the triumph of the revolution in January 1959.
• Museo del Ron (Rum Museum), at Bartolomé Masó No 358. A small museum in an attractive old house with displays (in Spanish) on the history of rum and sugarcane production in Cuba and its importance to the country, a walk through the rum-making process and a shot of Santiago de Cuba rum. 2 CUC admission.
• Plaza de Marte, another large plaza, with monuments and pergolas. It becomes quite animated on weekend nights, especially when there is live music or a festival going on.
• Balcón de Velázquez (corner of Bartolomé Masó & Mariano Corona), a public balcony with lovely views over the city and the bay (only slightly tainted by the smokestacks rising from the harbor). Entrance is free but there is a 1CUC charge if you want to take pictures.

Getting around

Thanks to Cuba's relatively low traffic, and the compactness of the the city center, Santiago is easily walkable. Nevertheless, it can be quite hot (which is why you won't see many people out on the streets in the middle of the day), and the city is very hilly so stay hydrated, and don't overestimate your own energy levels.

Taxis can be easily found around most of the major plazas in the city.

Wikitravel contributed to this article.