Santa Clara

When beach towns and resorts all start to seem the same, Santa Clara, in the province of Villa Clara, will add some depth to a Cuban itinerary. Rich in cultural attractions, Santa Clara is a vibrant university town and the famous site of the last guerrilla battle led by Che Guevara in 1958. His body was laid to rest here, and his mausoleum and monument, the Memorial Comandante Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, are the town's big attractions. Etched on the bronze statue of Che Guevara in Plaza de la Revolucion is his final letter to Fidel Castro, while the mausoleum lies beneath. Adjacent to the monument, the Museo Historico de la Revolucion exhibits some of Che's personal items. Che fans should also see the poignant Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado, a small boxcar museum and the site of the final battle between Che Guevara and the Batista troops.

Santa Clara is also home to Teatro de la Caridad (circa 1885), one of Cuba's few surviving theaters. Despite several renovations, much of the original interior, including the furniture, artwork, and décor, remains in its original condition.