Banes City Guide
Image by Antal Feith via wikipedia

Cuba

Banes City Guide

Holguin Province

Banes is a quiet city in Holguín Province known for its Taíno heritage and archaeological sites. It offers a calm Cuban vibe away from busy tourist spots, with nearby beaches and historical landmarks.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Limited
5

Food is simple Cuban cuisine with limited international options. Vegan and vegetarian choices may be hard to find.

Local Dishes:
Ropa Vieja, Arroz con Pollo, Pork dishes, Seafood
🌙
Nightlife
Limited
4

Nightlife is mainly local with festivals like Carnaval de las Golondrinas. Bars and clubs are limited.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Strong traditional Cuban coffee culture focused on sweet espresso. No specialty coffee shops.

💰
Tipping
Required
12%

Tipping is expected in tourist services, about 10-15%. USD tips are preferred.

Top Attractions
Museo Indocubano Baní
Museum
Important museum of indigenous archaeology in Cuba.
Museo Chorro de Maíta
Museum
Significant archaeological site museum.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad
Historic
Local historic church.
Steam Locomotive 964 (Panchito)
Historic
Historical train exhibit.
Martí Park
Park
Central park for walks and relaxation.
Cárdenas Park
Park
Another local park.
SIM Cards

Buy SIM cards at airports or ETECSA offices. Only one provider (ETECSA). Passport required for registration.

Available at:
ETECSA offices
Recommended Apps
Maps.me(Navigation)
Google Translate(Communication)
VPN (e.g. NordVPN)(Utility)
Alamesa(Food)
La Nave(Transportation)
Mandao(Delivery)
Civitatis(Travel)
Homestay.com(Accommodation)
EToque(Finance)
WhatsApp and Telegram(Communication)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Limited
5

Cleanliness is average for a small Cuban town.

24/7 Services
Poor
2

24/7 services are very limited in Banes.

Groceries
Available

Limited international products; details on local supermarkets are unknown.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Cuba mainly uses cash in Cuban Pesos. Some foreign currencies and cards are accepted in tourist spots, but cards from U.S. banks don't work.

ATMs

ATMs exist but often run out of money or have long lines. Use official exchange offices (CADECA) or banks to change cash.

Schools
Local only

No information on schools or international options in Banes.

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Poor
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

There is no established digital nomad community or meetups.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Good access to parks like Martí and Cárdenas, plus nearby natural parks.

Running
Limited
5

Martí Park is suitable for walking; running infrastructure is limited.

Gyms
Not Available

No information on gyms or sports facilities.

Tennis
Poor
0

No info on tennis courts.

Padel
Poor
0

No info on padel courts.

Yoga
Poor
0

No info on yoga or wellness centers.

Martial Arts
Poor
0

No information on martial arts communities or schools.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing available.

Water Sports
Limited
5

Kayaking is available at Playa Puerto Rico. Other water sports info is scarce.

Surfing
Poor
0

No known surfing spots.

Diving
Good
6

Snorkeling is possible at some nearby beaches like Emerald Beach and Playa Puerto Rico. Specific dive services are unknown.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Limited
4

Public healthcare is basic. English-speaking staff are rare outside major cities. Bring personal meds.

Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Tap water isn’t safe to drink. Use bottled water and avoid ice from tap water.

Common Scams
Fake cigars and rum sellers, Fake tour tickets, Overpriced restaurant/bar commissions, Short-changing, 'Business closed' scams at casas particulares, Solicitation for drinks or tips from overly helpful locals, Police bribe requests

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
6

There are parks and museums suitable for families, but facilities are limited.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Poor
1

No specific info on LGBTQ+ friendliness or spaces.

Pet Friendly
Limited
4

Pets like dogs and cats can be imported with permits. Local pet services are unknown.

Communities
Cuba Travel Facebook Groups (Social)

Quick Facts

Population
34,452
Power Reliability
Limited
5/10

Power outages can happen occasionally but no specific info for Banes.

Beach Access
Available

Several beaches are 20-30 km away, like Playa Bani and Guardalavaca Beach, known for clear water and white sand.

Languages
Spanish(90%)
Emergency
104
Ambulance
105
Fire
106
Police

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
3

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Hurricanes
June, July, August, September, October, November
Hurricane season runs June to November and can bring heavy storms and flooding.

No reviews yet

Be the first to share your experience at this place

💬 Feedback & Bugs