Matanzas

Travel Guide
Matanzas
Surrounding a quiet bay, this city on the north coast is known as the Athens of Cuba because of its cultural heritage.

The city of Matanzas has a long history of poetry and dance. Enjoy its culture in the form of theater and dance and see its fascinating bridges.

Watch locals performing an authentic Cuban dance, danzón, at the Museo Histórico Provincial. This dance style includes a built-in time to stop and flirt. Sign up for lessons to learn how to dance the rumba or danzón in the city where they originated. The city hosts the Festival del Bailador Rumbero with rumba performances over 10 days in October.

See the 19th-century Sauto Theater, an impressive neoclassical building, now a national monument. The lobby inside has marble statues of Greek goddesses. Watch a performance of the national ballet or folk dance.

The Museo Farmacéutico is another of the city’s national monuments, originally an apothecary and now a fascinating Pharmacy Museum. See the science of medications in the containers and instruments used by druggists in the 1800s.

Matanzas takes pride in its many bridges crossing the city’s three rivers. Near the mouth of the San Juan River, the Rotating Bridge was installed to make a 90-degree swing, allowing boats to pass through the channel. See the Bacunayagua Bridge, the tallest in Cuba, with a 370-foot (112-meter) arch spanning a river gorge and dense vegetation in the Yumuri Valley.

Bring the family to the Bellamar Caves between Matanzas and Varadero. Take a tour of the stalagmites, underground stream and sparkling crystals in these caves that may be 300,000 years old.

Matanzas is about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of Havana. Travel to Matanzas from Havana by rail in 1.5 hours or ride on the slower but historic Hershey Train that once carried sugar from this productive region to the capital. Alternatively, fly to Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport. Make a side trip from Matanzas to relax on the 12-mile-long (20-kilometer) powdery sand beach of nearby Varadero.

Bungalow over the sea with Pool & views
Bungalow over the sea with Pool & views
3.5 out of 5
Laborde Final #6306, Entre Isabel 1ra y San Isidro, Matanzas, Matanzas
The price is RM422 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
RM422
RM422 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star beach villa in Matanzas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Popular attractions Provincial Museum and Sauto Theater are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6 reviews)
"Been open 2 years. Staff very helpful."

Reviewed on 23 Dec 2023

Bungalow over the sea with Pool & views
Villa Costa Azul
Villa Costa Azul
2.5 out of 5
C/127 #20817 e/208 y 210, (Repart de Playa), Matanzas, Matanzas
The price is RM241 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
RM241
RM270 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Book a stay at this beach guesthouse in Matanzas. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Parque Libertad and Río ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (10 reviews)
"Beautiful ocean view and great host. Very knowledgeable about Cuba so be sure to ask him about it. Big room and spacious bathroom."

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2024

Villa Costa Azul
Apartamento UltraMar
Apartamento UltraMar
3 out of 5
Calle 129 / Calle 202 and 206, Building 20201. Floor 2. Apartment 5, Matanzas, Matanzas
The price is RM109 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
RM109
RM109 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Matanzas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and rainfall showerheads. Popular attractions Las Cuevas de Bellamar and Río Canímar ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
100% recomendable
"Es la segunda vez que me he hospedado en esté apartamento. La zona está tranquila. Hay espacio frente al edificio para entrenar. La cocina está bien equipada. Hay WiFi. Y lo más importante el anfitrión es muy atento. Me ha dado recomendaciones muy utiles, ha ayudado resolver todos mis asuntos y incluso ..."

Reviewed on 17 Sep 2024

Apartamento UltraMar
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Bungalow over the sea with Pool & views
Bungalow over the sea with Pool & views
3.5 out of 5
Laborde Final #6306, Entre Isabel 1ra y San Isidro, Matanzas, Matanzas
Stay at this 3.5-star beach villa in Matanzas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Popular attractions Provincial Museum and Sauto Theater are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6 reviews)
"Been open 2 years. Staff very helpful."

Reviewed on 23 Dec 2023

Bungalow over the sea with Pool & views
Apartamento UltraMar
Apartamento UltraMar
3 out of 5
Calle 129 / Calle 202 and 206, Building 20201. Floor 2. Apartment 5, Matanzas, Matanzas
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Matanzas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and rainfall showerheads. Popular attractions Las Cuevas de Bellamar and Río Canímar ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
100% recomendable
"Es la segunda vez que me he hospedado en esté apartamento. La zona está tranquila. Hay espacio frente al edificio para entrenar. La cocina está bien equipada. Hay WiFi. Y lo más importante el anfitrión es muy atento. Me ha dado recomendaciones muy utiles, ha ayudado resolver todos mis asuntos y incluso ..."

Reviewed on 17 Sep 2024

Apartamento UltraMar
Hab lujosa centrica con pequeña piscina
Hab lujosa centrica con pequeña piscina
2.5 out of 5
Plaza de La Vigia, Matanzas Este, Matanzas, Matanzas
Stay at this apartment in Matanzas. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast (surcharge), and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Palacio de Justicia and Sauto ...
Hab lujosa centrica con pequeña piscina
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Matanzas

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
0
" "5 - Excellent 0%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 66.66666666666667%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 33.333333333333336%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Ash

Nice little city. Close to Varadero. 2/3 days is enough to see everything. Day trips to many places can be made from here if you don't want to stay in Varadero.