Sancti Spiritus

Sancti Spiritus is a Latin phrase that means “holy spirit.”  And you’ll find the city of Sancti Spiritus, Cuba around 220 miles east of Havana. Although it is one of Cuba’s smallest cities, it has a rich history that draws people interested in the country’s past.  Sancti Spiritus is now a lovely colonial village on the banks of the Yayabo River that is off the usual route for visitors. A Roman-style stone bridge spanning the river, completed in 1815, is one of the city’s most notable features. Pedestrians, bicycle taxis, and horse-drawn carriages use the bridge, which is over 220 feet long and has five elegant arches. The Parroquial Mayor (Grand Church), located in the town’s central plaza, is another notable feature. It is the country’s oldest church, established in the early sixteenth century. There are hundreds of beautifully preserved homes, mansions, and other structures originating from the height of the sugar business in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, making it a perfect site to meander around the tiny cobblestone lanes. So, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.

The city and municipality is located in the central area of the island, and is the capital of the province of the same name. In 2024 the population of the city was 127,069.

The city was founded in June 4, 1514 by Diego Velazquez de Cuéllar on the banks of the river Tuinucú in the currently called locality of Old Town, about 8 kilometers from its present location, and in 1522 it was transferred to its current headquarters on the banks of the Yayabo river. Throughout the nineteenth and twenty centuries, this region was very important for growing the sugar cane, the main economic source in the country.