Viva Aerobus has announced a new direct flight between Mérida and the laid-back historic Cuban city of Santa Clara. It’s a chance to explore one of Cuba’s most historically significant cities, particularly for followers of famous revolutionary leader Che Guevara.
This small city is known for its casual atmosphere, coffee houses and for being the location where the final battle of the Cuban revolution was fought in 1958, led by none other than Che Guevara.
The city is home to various cultural attractions, including museums and theaters. The Teatro La Caridad, a neoclassical theater built in 1885, offers performances ranging from theater to dance and music. The Museum of Decorative Arts displays an impressive collection of Cuban art and antiques.
Roughly 200 miles to the east of Havana, Santa Clara has a population of around 22,0000 people — around a 10th of the country’s booming capital.
Santa Clara is closely associated with Che Guevara. Apart from the mausoleum, visitors can also explore the Tren Blindado Monument, which commemorates the derailment of an armored train during the revolution. The monument showcases the actual train cars used by the revolutionaries.
Other popular attractions include the several beaches in the area. But it’s important to remember that, unlike Havana, Santa Clara is not a coastal city, with the closest beaches being about one hour away.
Though US citizens are still technically not allowed to visit the Communist island for tourism, as of 2021, these rules appear to have been loosened considerably.
That said, visiting Cuba remains a thorny issue for many who consider such an activity as a means of support for the totalitarian regime. But especially outside of Havana, tourists usually rely on staying at private accommodations in Cuban homes and eating at “semi-formal” local restaurants, which is a real economic lifeline for many families on the island who depend on tourism.
Flights will depart every Thursday. Viva Aerobus says travelers can expect the route to begin operating sometime this summer.
