Bayamo

Imagine a city time-capsuled in colonial Cuba, reverberating with the hollow sounds of horse carriages and hearty verses of local literature. This is Bayamo, the oldest provincial capital in the country. Here, Cuba’s characteristic rebellious persona took root for the first time against the Spanish colonizers in the 1860s. Bayamo is famous today as the birthplace of Cuban independence. In this quiet town with great historical weight, you will be more than welcome. But, don’t expect to find the habitual limelight directed upon travelers anywhere else. Clear of the tourist scene, Bayamo is a place to ease off and savor the moment.

Although many colonial monuments fell prey to time and destruction, there are still spectacular sites on Bayamo’s atmospheric streets. Parque Céspedes is the intersection point and a symbolic center for all things culturally Cuban. Orchestras play, locals pay tribute to the hero of the First War of Independence, and lovers meet at dusktime to listen to the birds sing here. It is also the home of the Ayuntamiento—the columned building where Cuba declared its independence. A few minutes away is Cathedral de San Salvador de Bayamo. It lures spectators with its white exterior radiating wisdom and style. Another historically significant sight, the church witnessed the first reading of the Cuban national anthem in 1868.

From Bayamo’s dramatic plazas, the iconic pastel shades lead the way to Paseo Bayames, a seemingly boundless pedestrian shopping street where you will get a taste of Cuban delights. Come at night, and mouth-watering food stalls take over the slow-paced shopping scene. Still, the tranquil and sublime air of Bayamos lingers on in the backstreets, museums, and refreshing parks.