The province of Villa Clara is a traditional sugar, cattle and mineral producer. Excellent coffee grows on its southern mountain slopes, as does one of Cuba's important tobacco crops. Hence Santa Clara has always been an important commercial center and today houses one of Cuba's largest universities.
A recently built causeway linking the mainland to the keys of Cayo Santa Maria has helped open the beautiful virgin beaches to tourism. This location is perfect for water aquatic lovers.

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Beaches
Accessible by a recently built causeway linking the mainland to the keys, Villa Clara's northern coast counts two pristine beaches. The waves are bigger this island as it is more exposed to the streams of the Atlantic Ocean. This location is perfect for water sport lovers:

- Cayo Santa Maria, with 11 km of spectacular sands, is set in a beautiful natural surrounding.

- The isle of Las Brujas has 2 km of virgin beach.

- Cayo Ensenachos is a tiny island with two beautiful beaches, Playa Megano and Playa Ensenachos

Climate The temperature varies between 25 and 27C. Coral reefs create a barrier producing gentle waves and breezes. Sunny days and pleasant tropical climate allow the beach season to extend throughout the year

Attractions & Sights
The city of Santa Clara holds most of the tourist attractions of the area. It is best known as the place where the dictator Batista surrendered to Che Guevara in 1958. The Ernesto Che Guevara Memorial and Museum contains bodies of Che and his troops, who died in battle in Bolivia. The Tren Blindado monument commemorates the attack on an American armoured train by Che Guevara. Visit the Decorative Arts and Provincial History museums. Take a stroll on the double sidewalks of Parque Vidal and view the Teatro La Caridad. The town square has two churches and an image of a pregnant Immaculada Concepción.

Remedios, founded in 1514, is a well preserved town with large colonial houses and a church. It is famous for its parrandas (street festivals), and known for its museum, where artifacts relating to music, dancing and fireworks are on display.

The Elguea spa, a bit further west on the northern coast, is noted for its mineral springs and mud baths.

Nightlife Catch a show in Santa Clara, at the Teatro La Caridad or at Mejunje, a cultural and sports center bar that hosts various performances such as traditional and modern music, theater and art exhibits.

Santa Clara offers a few dancing clubs like El Bosque Disco and Cabaret and the popular discotheque in the hotel Santa Clara Libre.

Side Trips Trinidad Relive ancient history in this breathtaking colonial city. Visit the Iznaga Tower, La Canchanchara bar, the Romantic museum and the Natural Sciences and Archaeological Museum. This ancient city founded in the 16th century has narrow cobblestone streets, remarkable churches and colonial dwellings built in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Ciego de Avila Independence Avenue is the heart of the city, where attractions include the Principal Theatre, House of Culture, Raul Martinez Art Gallery, Jose Marti Park and San Eugenio de Palma church. Its architecture is defined by unique portals, arches, roof tiles and neoclassical columns. This region is known as the land of the pineapple.

Moron It is nicknamed the City of the Rooster because of the bronze statue of a rooster perched at the city's entrance. Developed by the sugar cane and cattle production, it features the Casa de Embarrado and the Casa de la Trova where you can enjoy local music.

Eating Out
In Cayo Santa Maria there are only the restaurants within the resorts.Traditional Cuban and Creole dishes can be had in Santa Clara at the Villa La Granjita, La Casa del Gobernador or at the restaurant of the Santa Clara Libre Hotel.

Shopping Cuban cigars, rum and coffee are the most popular souvenirs, followed by wood handicraft and congas. Cuban music recordings are a must as well.

Visit the Fábrica de Tabacos in Santa Clara. This factory produces high-quality Montecristo, Partagas, Romeo & Julieta, Punch, and Robaina cigars. Or head to the town of Camajuani to see the tobacco rollers work their magic.