The spirit of one of the Caribbean's most vibrant street parties, Santiago's annual July carnival, is recalled in photos and newspaper clippings, floats, costumes, and musical instruments. Late afternoons here give a better sense of what carnival is like; stop by at 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday for a performance by music and dance troupes. The short spectacle of colorful costume, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and stirring song might have you planning your next trip to coincide with the main event. 

One of Santiago’s most delightful people-watching spots is Plaza Dolores, a shady plaza lined with colonial-era homes (several now house restaurants). Avenida José A. Saco (more commonly known as Enramada) is Santiago’s main shopping thoroughfare. Its faded 1950s neon signs and ostentatious buildings recall more prosperous times. Cobbled Calle Bartolomé Masó (also known as San Basilio), just behind Heredia and the cathedral, is a delightful street that leads down to the picturesque Tivolí district.

This is one of the continent's oldest cathedrals, the seat of the fourth bishopric of America, although the building that it currently occupies was built in 1922, thus reflecting the eclectic style of architecture. One of its sides houses the Ecclesiastical Museum, with a valuable collection of furniture, paintings and sacred artefacts

The Granjita Siboney Museum is located in the road to Playa Siboney Beach, in the province of Santiago de Cuba. It is the former encampment from where the youngsters that took the Moncada Headquarters, the second military fortress in the city of Santiago de Cuba, on July 26th 1953 left. In the 7 exhibition rooms of this museum you’ll also discover the historic house, the previous preparations to the famous assault, the development and the consequences it had for Cuba. It exhibits valuable documents and personal objects of some of the intrepid young rebels. Among its most valued objects are the semiautomatic M-1 with folded butt used by the revolutionaries during the assault, sports rifle, uniforms, documents, photographs.