Shutterstock / Jennifer Yakey-Ault

Las Tunas

La Victória de Las Tunas (as it's officially known) is a sleepy agricultural town anointed provincial capital. It has long held a sleazy reputation for being the Oriente's capital of sex tourism. But thanks to good private lodgings, welcoming locals and a handy location on Cuba's arterial Carretera Central, handfuls of road-weary travelers drop by and are pleasantly surprised. Missing here are the touts that exasperate tourists in other destinations. It's a window into real provincial life.

Referred to as the 'city of sculptures,' Las Tunas is certainly no Florence. But what it lacks in grandiosity it makes up for in small-town quirks. You can see an authentic country rodeo here, admire a statue of a two-headed Taíno chief, go wild at one of the city's riotous Saturday-night street parties or wax lyrical at the weird and witty Jornada Cucalambeana, Cuba's leading country-music festival.

Explore Las Tunas

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Museo Memorial Mártires de Barbados
Las Tunas' most evocative sight is in the former home of Carlos Leyva González, an Olympic fencer killed in the nation's worst terrorist atrocity: the…
E
El Cornito
The bamboo woods around Motel El Cornito, about 6km outside town, offer a welcome, shady diversion from the scorching city bustle. You'll find ranchón…
L
La Fuente de las Antilles
This work, first unveiled in 1977, was elemental in reviving Cuba’s sculpturing traditions and making Las Tunas its HQ. The sculpture comprises a huge…
M
Memorial Vicente García
A colonial-era structure near the eponymous park that commemorates Las Tunas' great War of Independence hero who captured the town from the Spanish in…
S
Statue of José Martí
In the central hub of Plaza Martí an inventive bronze statue of the 'apostle of Cuban independence' by Rita Longa doubles as a solar clock. It was opened…
M
Museo Provincial General Vicente García
Housed in the royal blue town hall with a clock mounted on the front facade, the provincial museum documents local tunero history. A member of staff will…
C
Cacique Maniabo y Jibacoa
A two-headed Taíno chief looking in opposite directions. It dominates the surroundings at the rustic Motel El Cornito 3km west of town.
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Parque Vicente García
Las Tunas' central plaza, anchored by the Catholic Iglesia San Jerónimo.
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Plaza de la Revolución
Las Tunas' Revolution Square is huge and bombastic, particularly for such a small city. Photo ops abound. Check out the huge Lenin-esque sculpture of…

M
Museo Memorial Mártires de Barbados
Las Tunas' most evocative sight is in the former home of Carlos Leyva González, an Olympic fencer killed in the nation's worst terrorist atrocity: the…
E
El Cornito
The bamboo woods around Motel El Cornito, about 6km outside town, offer a welcome, shady diversion from the scorching city bustle. You'll find ranchón…
L
La Fuente de las Antilles
This work, first unveiled in 1977, was elemental in reviving Cuba’s sculpturing traditions and making Las Tunas its HQ. The sculpture comprises a huge…
M
Memorial Vicente García
A colonial-era structure near the eponymous park that commemorates Las Tunas' great War of Independence hero who captured the town from the Spanish in…
S
Statue of José Martí
In the central hub of Plaza Martí an inventive bronze statue of the 'apostle of Cuban independence' by Rita Longa doubles as a solar clock. It was opened…
M
Museo Provincial General Vicente García
Housed in the royal blue town hall with a clock mounted on the front facade, the provincial museum documents local tunero history. A member of staff will…
C
Cacique Maniabo y Jibacoa
A two-headed Taíno chief looking in opposite directions. It dominates the surroundings at the rustic Motel El Cornito 3km west of town.
P
Parque Vicente García
Las Tunas' central plaza, anchored by the Catholic Iglesia San Jerónimo.
P
Plaza de la Revolución
Las Tunas' Revolution Square is huge and bombastic, particularly for such a small city. Photo ops abound. Check out the huge Lenin-esque sculpture of…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Las Tunas.

See
Museo Memorial Mártires de Barbados
Las Tunas' most evocative sight is in the former home of Carlos Leyva González, an Olympic fencer killed in the nation's worst terrorist atrocity: the…
See
El Cornito
The bamboo woods around Motel El Cornito, about 6km outside town, offer a welcome, shady diversion from the scorching city bustle. You'll find ranchón…
See
La Fuente de las Antilles
This work, first unveiled in 1977, was elemental in reviving Cuba’s sculpturing traditions and making Las Tunas its HQ. The sculpture comprises a huge…
See
Memorial Vicente García
A colonial-era structure near the eponymous park that commemorates Las Tunas' great War of Independence hero who captured the town from the Spanish in…
See
Statue of José Martí
In the central hub of Plaza Martí an inventive bronze statue of the 'apostle of Cuban independence' by Rita Longa doubles as a solar clock. It was opened…
See
Museo Provincial General Vicente García
Housed in the royal blue town hall with a clock mounted on the front facade, the provincial museum documents local tunero history. A member of staff will…
See
Cacique Maniabo y Jibacoa
A two-headed Taíno chief looking in opposite directions. It dominates the surroundings at the rustic Motel El Cornito 3km west of town.
See
Parque Vicente García
Las Tunas' central plaza, anchored by the Catholic Iglesia San Jerónimo.
See
Plaza de la Revolución
Las Tunas' Revolution Square is huge and bombastic, particularly for such a small city. Photo ops abound. Check out the huge Lenin-esque sculpture of…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Las Tunas

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