Las Tunas travel guide

Las Tunas, Cuba

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Las Tunas

Introduction

Las Tunas sits in central-eastern Cuba, where it serves as the capital of the province that shares its name. The city was known as Victoria de Las Tunas from 1869 until 1976, so you may still come across the older name in historical references.

Getting around

Las Tunas is a modest provincial capital rather than a sprawling metropolis, and you will cover most of it on foot or by taxi. There is no metro and no tram network, and no formal urban bus system aimed at visitors — local movement is handled largely by taxis, shared vehicles and walking. The centre, the reparto known as Primero, is compact and walkable, and walking is the best way to see the sculptures and artistic installations that give the city its nickname. The surrounding repartos — Segundo, La Victoria, Aguilera and others — keep the places you want to reach close together. The main exception is the airport, Hermanos Ameijeiras, which sits in the northern suburb of Aeropuerto and is not a comfortable walk from the centre, especially with bags; treat that as a taxi trip. Taxis are also the sensible choice for reaching the bus and rail stations with luggage, and because the city is small and the province lightly touristed, you are generally negotiating for a car rather than competing in a queue. Car rental is available through Transtur and Via if you want independence, though for most short stays hiring a driver by the trip is the simpler calculation.

For onward travel, the bus is the most practical no-car option. Viazul runs direct services between Havana's Terminal de Ómnibus Nacionales and Las Tunas, and Ómnibus Nacionales also serves the route, with departures spread through the day. Viazul keeps an office at the Las Tunas bus station, open around the clock, where you can make reservations for any of its routes — your first stop if you want to book onward travel rather than arranging it online in advance. A second booking channel is Conectando Cuba, arranged through the Cubanacan Travel Agency, if you prefer someone else to handle the logistics. The railway station, on Camilo Cienfuegos Avenue between Lucas Ortiz and Frank País, sits on the principal Havana–Santiago de Cuba line and a secondary line to Manatí, making the train a genuine option for arriving or leaving and generally the cheapest way to cover long distances. Be aware that long-distance rail service in Cuba is infrequent and trains on the main line do not run daily, so build flexibility into your schedule rather than assuming you can turn up and depart the same day. If your plans involve international flights, the nearest international airports are Frank País in Holguín and Ignacio Agramonte in Camagüey, both reached overland; Viazul runs a service between Holguín Airport and Las Tunas, and there is also a shuttle bus connection from Havana to Hotel Las Tunas.

Three days in Las Tunas

Day one: Arrive at Las Tunas and get your bearings. If you fly in, the Aeropuerto is served by Taxis and Car rental desks, with Transtur and Via available for transfers; Viazul buses connect from Havana at the Terminal de Ómnibus Nacionales, and Conectando Cuba and Cubanacan Travel Agency can help arrange onward travel. Settle in around Camilo Cienfuegos Avenue, the city's main artery, and use the Hotel Las Tunas as a landmark while you orient yourself. In the evening, take a stroll along the avenue and get a feel for the unhurried pace of this part of Cuba.

Day two: Head into the heart of Las Tunas. Walk or take a taxi to the central streets around Lucas Ortiz and Frank País, where you can see the everyday life of the city and its provincial character. Stop for a meal at one of the local paladares or state-run restaurants, and try a plate of Cuban staples such as rice, beans and pork. In the afternoon, visit the Victoria theatre or the Primero and Segundo galleries if they are open, and take time to sit in a park and watch the world go by.

Day three: Use Las Tunas as a base for a wider look at the region. If you have time, take a day trip toward Holguín or Santiago de Cuba, or head to the coast at Manat for a change of scene. Alternatively, stay in the city and visit the Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital area or the Aguilera and La Victoria neighbourhoods to see a different side of Las Tunas. Before you leave, arrange your onward transport via Viazul, Transtur or the Cubanacan Travel Agency, and if you are flying out, allow time to reach Holguín Airport or Ignacio Agramonte in Camagüey.

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