Cuba, which is strategically located in the Caribbean Sea, treasures a wide variety of places for recreation and tourism, which are complemented by the country's nature, history and culture.

Each Cuban province has its own characteristics, providing a myriad of tourist offers for thousands of foreign vacationers who visit the country every year.

In central Cuba, tourists can visit Cienfuegos province, whose capital city is also known as The Pearl of the South.

A score of libraries, 11 museums, more than 30 movie halls and five theaters, in addition to houses of culture, art galleries and monuments, are visited by both national and foreign tourists every year.

The most emblematic building in Cienfuegos is Palacio de Valle, which was designed by an Italian engineer and whose construction was funded by a rich Spanish businessman. The building combines several architectural styles, including gothic, romantic, Byzantine and baroque, with a strong influence from the Mudejar style.

Surrounding the park are the only Arc of Triumph in Cuba, built in 1902, and the Tomás Terry Theater, one of Cuba's three major theaters in the 19th century

Cienfuegos is also famous for its singular nature. The centennial Botanic Gardens (built in 1901) covers an area of 97 hectares and holds the most complete collection of palms in the world.

The Botanic Gardens hold some 2,000 plant species, 70 percent of which are exotic, 23 varieties of bamboos, 65 of jagüey and 280 of cork and big-bellied palms.

Nature lovers can visit El Nicho, which is accessed through a road that runs up the Guamuaya Mountain Range and goes through the Yaguanabo Valley, south of the Trinidad Heights.

The Jagua Hotel, which is three kilometers from Cienfuegos's historic heart, is an excellent place for a comfortable stay while touring the city.

The establishment is close to most places of historic and cultural interest in Cienfuegos, including the Tomás Terry Theater and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

The Pearl of the South is also perfect for congress tourism, as it has the well-equipped facilities to hold business and working meetings, in addition to a broad infrastructure of roads, an airport and transportation services.

Beach goers can stay at Rancho Luna Hotel, where they can go scuba diving and snorkeling.