See Cienfuegos “La Perla Del Sur”
Protected from the Caribbean Sea by a bay with the same name, Cienfuegos is approximately 160 miles east by southeast of Havana along Cuba’s southern shore. With a population of just over 186,000, the city has all of the amenities of a big city while still maintaining its small-town feel. Known as “La Perla Del Sur” or the Pearl of the South, The City of Cienfuegos was originally settled by French and Louisiana colonists in 1819. The city’s French neoclassical style earned the historic center its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 2005 for implementation in urban planning. The city’s beauty is rivaled only by the natural marvel that surrounds it and the warmth of the people who live in it.
Cienfuegos is rich in history and culture with music abound. Explore this page to see and hear more of why Cienfuegos is the ideal place to study and learn in Cuba.
El Prado
Home to the only other “malecon” in Cuba, el “Prado” runs from the entrance to the city into the heart of the bay. It is the main artery of the city and the longest of its kind.
Punta Gorda
Once the getaway for the country’s elite, Punta Gorda is the southernmost point of the city. Today, it is still lined with eclectic buildings and venues with access for all.
Castillo De Jagua
Founded in 1742 and built from solid limestone, “El Castillo de Jagua” is the only French-designed fortress in Cuba. It is also unique in that predates the city’s founding by 77 years. Today El Castillo is the site of the Jagua fishing village where traditional fishing methods are passed on from generation to generation.
Cienfuegos Botanical Gardens
The Cienfuegos Botanical Gardens (Jardín Botánico de Cienfuegos) is the result of the first academic exchange between the United States in Cuba. Originally developed by researchers from Harvard University, the garden has one of the most diverse collections of palm trees in the Caribbean alongside Orchids, Ficuses and Bamboos.
Laguna Guanaroca
Laguna Guanaroca is an aviary preserve that is a part of the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP). It is a gathering location for flamingos, osprey and other migratory and indigenous birds.
The Arts
The warmth and ingenuity of the people is what give Cienfuegos its distinctive feel. This personality shines through the arts of the city in its many forms to keep the culture of the city alive.
