The area surrounding the city has some singularly beautiful features. The Pan de Matanzas (Matanzas Bread Loaf) Hill and Yumurí Valley are particularly entrancing. Places to visit in the city itself include the Sauto Theater, the Triolet Drug Store and the San Carlos Church.

Immortalized by painters, poets and musicians, Matanzas is just a few minutes' drive from Varadero Beach and also near the Zapata Peninsula.

The city of Matanzas, capital of the province of the same name, is in northwestern Cuba, 100 km (62 miles) east of Havana and around 18 minutes from Varadero Beach. An excellent highway links Matanzas with the nation's capital.

Many of Cuba's important painters, writers and musicians were born in Matanzas. More than a century ago, thanks to the genius of Miguel Faílde, the people of this city had the privilege of dancing the first danzón, a popular rhythm with a gentle cadence and diverse keys that stemmed from the habanera and is a ballroom dance for partners.

Matanzas, which saw the birth of literary gatherings in the 19th century, is also the birthplace of several modern poets-including Cintio Vitier and Carilda Oliver Labra. In addition, it has many cultural groups and institutions, including Vigía Publishing House, which puts out limited editions of beautiful hand-bound books that are veritable works of art.