Matanzas Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas
About Matanzas
Matanzas developed around sugar plantations. This led to the area having a large slave presence to work the plantations, which is why there is a large large Afro-Cuban presence in Matanzas to this day. The area's African heritage can be experienced in the city's Afro-Cuban music scene and the practice of Santeria (the Afro-Cuban flavor of Yoruba religion from what is nowNigeriaandBenin). As a result of a sugar boom in the 19th century, the city was nicknamed the Athens of Cuba, a monicker that can still be seen around the city today. The sugar plantations also left their mark in the still-running Hershey Electric railway from 1917, which was built by the chocolate company to move sugar up to the ports of Havana. Matanzas is the birthplace of Dámaso Pérez Prado, the bandleader who populariz
Top Attractions in Matanzas
Explore the best things to see and do in Matanzas:
- ★Cuevas de Bellemar
Where to Eat in Matanzas
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Cafe Atenas
Where to Stay in Matanzas
- 🏨Hotel Playa Girón
Matanzas Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 10 sections including: