Valle de los Ingenios

Enter Cuba's former sugar mill, located in the interior of the Valle de los Ingenios in Trinidad

Valle de los Ingenios
© 0utdoorsgirl

Valle de los Ingenios, also known as Valle de San Luis, is located in Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus province in Cuba. It is a 250 Km² set of plains, valleys, rivers and coast that make up this wonder of nature. This beautiful natural space was declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 1988. For several centuries it has been the largest sugar production centre on the island since the Creole aristocracy developed a strong sugar industry here.

Torre Manaca-Iznaga, Valle de los Ingenios
© Eric

For hundreds of years, the first settlers were dedicated to the cultivation of tobacco, fruits and livestock. It was a whole centre of production and trade, which was boosted by the arrival of the Spanish to the island.

During your trip through this immense natural park, you will notice the contrasts between the neoclassical style houses of the wealthiest families and the basic colonial houses. Also typical of this place are the archaeological sites that you will find, up to a total of 65! Projects for the restoration and conservation of this Cuban gem have been underway for almost 20 years, and on one occasion UNESCO even stepped in to finance one of the reconstructions.

One of the essential points in your visit to the Valle de los Ingenios is the Torre Manaca-Iznaga, an old watchtower in the estate bearing the same name. It served to control the slaves who worked in the sugar plantations for years. Due to its past, it is not exempt from legends.

The Valle de Los Ingenios is a must on your visit to Sancti Spíritus and one of the favourite destinations of every tourist. The Casa Hacienda Guáimaro must be highlighted, since the family that owns it broke a production record, obtaining more than 940 tons of sugar. Today this house is the current Museo del Azúcar (Sugar Museum).

You must also visit the San Isidro de los Destiladeros sugar mill, the most complete sugar producing complex in the Valle de los Ingenios. It is very well preserved and there you can feel the sugar history of the country. Undoubtedly, there is another important sugar mill in Buena Vista, whose estate is still preserved, and it will give you an idea of the economic level of this wealthy family.

Valleys, rivers, mines and viewpoints are some of the jewels you cannot miss in this imposing historical and natural Cuban jewel.

Interactive map:

Trinidad

What to see:

Beaches:

Museums:

Sancti Spíritus

What to see:

Museums:

Other nearby destinations:

Why "Cuban Travel Agency"?

"Cuban Travel Agency" is part of the Visitar Cuba project, an organization of Cuban agencies whose objectives are:

✓ Disseminate Cuba, its culture and its heritage.
✓ Promote sustainable tourism.
✓ Support the local economy, prioritizing direct contact with Cuban agencies.
✓ Offer budgets without commitment and without cost, from the hand of Cuban experts.

Ask for your estimate

Travel agencies and Tour Operators

If you are an agency or tour operator and you are looking for help to create trips to Cuba, trust our expert hands, we offer special prices.

Special prices for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators