Visiting Holguín with kids is perfect for experiencing Cuban culture. Both the capital and the province are called Holguín, and this region is less touristy than Havana. The city preserves many old buildings from the colonial period. You’ll still encounter horse-drawn carriages, as well as the iconic American vintage cars. It really feels like time has stood still. From inland, it is easy to get to the white beaches, where there are several luxury resorts and activities for the whole family – from young to old. The locals are friendly and helpful, especially to kids. In this blog, we list the best children’s activities in Holguin for you.
Best travel time Holguin with kids
Throughout the year the temperature is pleasant and does not get colder than 25 degrees. The best travel time to visit Holguin with kids is between November and April, when the temperature is around 27 degrees. In this period you have less rain and hurricanes. We made our trip at the end of August and therefore did suffer from occasional heavy rains.
But after a shower it quickly cleared up, and if you’re out with a local, they quickly know how to find the right places to shelter from the rain.
Transportation to and in Holguin
From the airport in Holguín, it is only an hour by bus to the coast where most of the hotels are located, ideal after a long flight with kids.
Because our son turned 1 in Cuba and our daughter was 3 at the time we had chosen to stay in 1 place and explore from there. Through your hotel you can often get in touch with local cab drivers or tour guides, who can then be available throughout the day.
In advance we did ask for a Maxi-Cosi and it was not always there and then we took the kids on our laps. You can also do organized tours by bus. With a young family we found the cab ideal, because you can determine your own rhythm. It costs less than 100 euros for a whole day (negotiation is possible).
We did always have our baby carriage and back carrier with us, because not everywhere were paved roads and therefore a back carrier was very nice.
Children’s activities Holguin
#1 Acuario Cayo Naranjo
The Acuario Cayo Naranjo is located in the Bahía de Naranjo Nature Park. We went there by cab, and the only way to the park is by boat. The crossing took about 10 minutes. Since it was low season, we were able to get on the boat right away and had it all to ourselves. The kids even got to steer for a while and put on the captain’s cap!
We had booked a Swim with Dolphins experience, but the dolphin we were supposed to swim with had given birth that morning. What luck to see a newborn dolphin! As an alternative, we were allowed to join the trainer all afternoon and swim with two other dolphins. In addition to dolphins, there are also sea lions being trained there. Every day there is both a dolphin show and a separate sea lion show.
The park is very small in size, but you can see that the trainers treat the dolphins and sea lions with respect and care. The location is beautiful, in the middle of the sea.
Admission costs $39 per adult and $19 per child, with kids under 6 even getting free admission. There are also different rates for swimming with dolphins. We booked everything through the hotel, including the cab. You can have a great time here for a few hours, but it is not suitable for a whole day.
#2 Gibara
On the coast is the fishing town of Gibara, Cuba’s fourth largest city. It is a fun place to walk around with kids and experience real Cuban life. The town is also called “The White Town” because of the defensive walls that used to stand along the coast.
In the central square, we discovered a small cigar factory where you could look right inside. Here we saw how traditional cigars are made by hand – a fascinating process!
We also visited the Museo de Historia Natural, a small but interesting museum where you can walk around for about an hour. The museum is especially fun for kids. You can see archaeological finds, admire animal skeletons, see stuffed animals and enjoy beautiful shells and butterflies. Admission is also very affordable: only 1 euro per person.
You can relax in the harbor and enjoy a beautiful view of the many fishing boats and fishermen at work. Along the coast you can still see here and there remnants of the old defensive wall. You can also enjoy the beach, although it can be quite windy there.
A visit to the Batería de Fernando VII fortress is definitely recommended. Here kids can have a great time while running around. You enter the fortress via a small red drawbridge, which is an adventure in itself. Inside, you can see old cannons and have a magnificent view of the bay. The fort, built in 1817 to defend the city from the coast, is free to enter and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
#3 Santa Lucia
Santa Lucia still has an old train station and remnants of a sugar mill that are definitely worth visiting. Santa Lucia, the original name, is now also called the Rafael Freyre Sugar Mill. Cuba used to be a leader in sugar production. The village originated in 1882, and you can still find the old railroad track that used to be used to transport sugar with heavy steam trains.
The steam train is even still in operation! For kids, it’s great to see what the trains used to look like and how they worked. At one time, Cuba was one of the best organized railroad countries in the world. Unfortunately, the comfort of today’s railroads has greatly deteriorated and now reminds little of the old days.
Since Santa Lucia is not very large, it is best to combine this visit with a trip to Gibara or the city of Holguín, for example.
#4 Gran Salto del Guayabo
The Gran Salto del Guayabo (big waterfall) is best reached by cab and is about a two-hour drive from the coast, depending on how many stops you make. It took us three hours because our driver took us to visit a Cuban family living in the countryside.
There we had lunch, drank coffee from their own beans and were given a tour. It remains amazing how primitive the people here live, but at the same time they are happy and proudly display their way of life.
Along the way, a cow even crossed the road occasionally! The kids must be able to stand the ride through potholes and bumps. Located 546 meters above sea level, the waterfall is one of the highest in Cuba and actually a double waterfall. The climb up is doable for small kids, thanks to the many wooden decks. We had a guide with us, who even enjoyed carrying our son in the back carrier.
The view at the top was truly breathtaking, and after such a long drive it was nice to be active and get a good look at the rainforest. Halfway up the climb there is a natural pool where you can cool off and paddle.
When we got back downstairs, we enjoyed a delicious meal. For three people we paid only 15 euros, and we all got a full meal of soup, rice and chicken. There were toilets available, but unfortunately they were not very clean.
#5 El Chorro de Maita in Banes
At the park, kids can discover the history of Cuba in a fun and interactive way. From Playa Pesquero it was about a half-hour drive, and this time we chose to go with an organized tour. El Chorro de Maita is an archaeological site that has been transformed into an open-air museum. Here the period from 1300 to about 1550 A.D. is brought to life.
The highlight is a recreated Indian village where dancers perform in traditional Indian outfits, including bared upper bodies on men and women. In addition, you can see real excavations and remnants of the original Indian village. This is proof that Cuba was inhabited by different tribes long before Columbus discovered it.
For kids, this is a special experience. They can cuddle with the “Indians” and enjoy the attention. There is plenty of room to run around the grounds and expend good energy. You can also see the cabins inside, which completes the experience. You can tour the entire park in about 2.5 hours.
Practical information: the park is open from 9 am to 5 pm and on Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm. Guardalavaca beach is less than 10 minutes away and is perfect to combine with this children’s activity.
#6 Guardalavaca
If your kids love walking around a market, a visit to the Guardalavaca market is a great outing. Here you will find many authentic Cuban souvenirs, all handmade by locals who earn a little extra money doing this. For example, we bought colorful samba balls, a nice gift to give to friends upon our return.
In addition to the samba balls, you can find many other products, such as Che Guevara items, toys and clothing. The market is open every day. After your visit to the market, spend a few hours relaxing on the beach. Guardalavaca is known for its pearly white beaches, with beautiful green hills in the background.
The beach is about a 10-minute walk from the center of town. Fun fact: Fidel Castro once ushered in the first resort in Guardalavaca with a swim, and since then the place has been very popular with tourists, especially young families.
For families accustomed to hiking, there are also beautiful hiking trails through nature in the area. There are substantial hills where you can spot unusual birds. Jord went out with a guide and enjoyed the colorful birds you will only see in Cuba. Note that some trails can be quite challenging due to the hilly terrain.
#7 Playa Pesquero
Our hotel was within walking distance of Playa Pesquero, and the kids loved floating in the sea and playing on the beach here. The sea is very calm, so there are no high waves and the kids can safely swim in the water with straps on. The beach is beautifully white and really exudes that Caribbean feeling.
For snorkeling enthusiasts, this is a paradise. Here you can admire many special, colorful fish swimming between the coral. You can also book various water activities, such as pedal boats or rent a sailboat. You can also take a nice walk along the beach. Before you reach the beach, you walk through a mangrove forest, which is a unique addition to the experience.
Three resorts line the beach, and all are free to walk along. For many travelers touring Cuba, this area is a perfect place to end the vacation. After a few days relaxing on the beach, you’ll fly back to the Netherlands rested.
Family-friendly restaurant Holguín
You can eat just fine in the Holguín area with kids. We list some of these family-friendly restaurants in Holguín.
La Maison Sunset Restaurant, Guardalavaca: After a day at the beach, you can enjoy dinner with your family at this family-run restaurant. Besides dinner, you can also have lunch there, and the menu offers mainly fish, seafood and Cuban food, such as chicken, pork and dishes from the barbecue. Located by the sea, the restaurant offers outdoor seating as well as a covered area overlooking the sea.
You can also see the sunset beautifully here, as the name of the restaurant suggests. The staff is friendly, and in addition to tourists, many locals come to eat here. High chairs are available for children. Vegetarian dishes are also available. Note that you can only pay in cash, and free parking is available. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Don Pepe Grill Restaurant, Rafael Freyre: Rafael Freyre also offers excellent Cuban food with kids. The best restaurant for a family meal is Don Pepe Grill. There is often a band playing Cuban music, and the kids can dance to the upbeat tunes.
They are open from 5:30 to 10 p.m. and also offer vegan and vegetarian options. There are children’s dishes such as fish sticks, fries, rice, as well as various Cuban dishes with fish and meat. Note that you can only pay with cash.
Family-friendly tips Holguin
A family vacation to Holguin with kids is a fun experience, but there are a few things to consider. We list some helpful tips below:
- Be sure to apply for a family visa in advance.
- In Cuba, it is still difficult to obtain certain products, especially for kids. Always make sure you carry enough diapers, food or wipes when traveling to Holguín with small kids.
- Electricity may occasionally go out, so keep that in mind.
- Take plenty of cash with you, because in many places you can only pay in cash. At many resorts you can use debit cards, but there may be times when cash is not available.
Family-friendly hotel Holguín
Playa Costa Verde was the resort where we stayed and it was really great for the kids, but also definitely for the parents. It is right on the sea, with fortunately few high waves, so the kids could enjoy bobbing in the sea. There are also other water activities available.
There are several restaurants at the complex that you can book as well as the standard breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. In the morning, eggs are fried and pancakes are made.
There was a kids club you could bring your kids to; our kids were still too small for that. They did organize all kinds of activities, and once when it rained hard, they were able to have a good time all morning. On our son’s birthday, they had organized a surprise party with a clown and cake, and all sorts of songs were sung.
In the evening, of course, there was a children’s disco. Even though the kids didn’t always understand each other, there was a lot of dancing every night. This was usually followed by a performance, ranging from Cuban dancing to magicians. Everyone is very friendly and helpful and they really love kids!
One time we came back to our room and the cleaning lady had finished our daughter’s puzzle as a surprise in addition to the beautiful towels folded into hearts and swans. The rooms are a bit outdated, but you notice that everyone has little to spend and is very happy with (old) children’s stuff, because they are very poorly available.
About the author: Dylan, Aidan, Zoë, Jord and Madelief love to travel and have family all over the world that they love to visit. They love discovering new cultures and always enjoy getting in touch with the locals. During the vacations, they provide variety by going into nature or visiting a town. But there are always rest days by the water – be it the sea or a swimming pool – where (especially) the kids can enjoy themselves for hours. In this way, vacations will be a success for everyone!
