Known as the "City of the Jars," Camagüey is unlike any other city in Cuba. From the center-east of the country, this colonial gem, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its winding alleys, quiet plazas, and enormous clay jars adorning courtyards and parks.
Founded in 1514 as Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe, Camagüey is one of Cuba's seven original towns. Its historic center, one of the largest and best-preserved on the island, is characterized by its irregular layout: narrow, winding streets designed to confuse pirates who often attacked the city.
The jars, the large clay vessels formerly used to store rainwater, have become a symbol of Camagüeyan identity. They are found in plazas, courtyards, gardens, and public places. Local legend has it that whoever drinks water from a large jar always returns to Camagüey!
Ideal for walkings, where every corner holds a surprise: a baroque church, an art gallery, a café in an interior courtyard, or an artisanal pottery workshop. The city buzzes with an intense cultural life.
The birthplace of important visual artists, writers, and dancers, it is home to institutions such as the Camagüey Ballet. Its squares—Plaza del Carmen and Plaza de San Juan de Dios—are vibrant venues for cultural expression and craft fairs.
The city offers accommodations that combine colonial architecture with the warmth of the local area. Private homes and boutique hotels adapt to different budgets and travel styles, offering hospitality, traditional cuisine, and personalized attention, serving a variety of dishes with a strong Spanish and African influence. Try dishes such as rice with chicken a la chorrera, ajiaco, or coconut and guava sweets..
