CubaPLUS Magazine

The vibrant Cuban town of Sagua la Grande continues to captivate visitors with its colorful charm in the central region of the archipelago.  

Having officially entered the island's tourism catalog, bolstered by its historic sites, nautical activities, and new hotels, this destination attracts both domestic and international travelers.  

The Palacio de Arena and Hotel Sagua were reopened as part of the 38th International Tourism Fair (FITCuba 2018), and since then, they have garnered significant attention.  

Located in the central province of Villa Clara, Sagua is in close proximity to ports, beaches, and cays. Once a prosperous inland town during the 1920s, it was highlighted by current Prime Minister Manuel Marrero.  

Sagua is known as the birthplace of notable figures such as Dr. Joaquín Albarrán, the father of urology in Cuba and much of the world (France) in 1820, and it flourished due to its burgeoning sugar industry.  

The town's first street layout was established in 1849, and in 1905, a symbolic bridge was opened that still stands today. This location is the closest point to the United States, which fostered an initial and extensive trade that characterized the area. In 1866, Sagua officially attained its status as a town, and it had its first hotel in 1825.  

At its peak, Sagua boasted over 24 hotels and, by 1920, a villa on nearby Cayo Esquivel, an islet revived for recreation and vacations.  

The newly refurbished Hotel Sagua was the most luxurious establishment in the area, famously hosting Spanish poet Federico García Lorca in room 320.  

This town is a site of firsts, including the island's first steamship, the first telegraph network, the first Congo council, and the first Chinese casino, among many other examples.  

Situated in the central-northern region of the country, Sagua la Grande is now part of tourist circuits across the nation—a recreational modality highly sought after, particularly by many Europeans.  

(Taken from Prensa Latina)