Up until a few years ago, Villa Clara was virtually unknown as a tourist resort, visited only by tour groups which stayed a day or so to visit the Memorial to Ernesto Che Guevara or to discover some of the other enchantments of this province in the middle of the country.

The construction of a stone causeway linking the territory with Santa María Cay, a tiny islet just eight miles (13 km) long and a little over a mile wide, changed all this. Santa María has an excellent beach and fascinating land and sea flora and fauna-which makes it a marvelous place for scuba diving.

The northeastern part of the province also includes Ensenacho and Las Brujas (Witches) Cays.

The town of San Juan de los Remedios, whose historic center has been declared a national monument, is just over 37 miles (60 km) from Santa María Cay. The province's capital, Santa Clara, has many places of historic and cultural interest, and the people who live here are noted for their hospitality.

Part of the Escambray Mountains are in this province, which makes Villa Clara one of the best places in the country for ecotourism. In addition, the thermal and medicinal mineral baths at Elguea Spa will help to improve your health.