National park · Cuba
Sierra Maestra National ParkParque Nacional Sierra Maestra
Enter Sierra Maestra National Park: pay the entry fee (≈30 CUP per person), hike Pico Turquino via Alto de Naranjo (≈13 km (8.1 mi), 2 days) in dry season (Nov–Apr); avoid rainy months.Enter Sierra Maestra National Park: pay the entry fee (≈30 CUP per person), hike Pico Turquino via Alto de Naranjo (≈8.1 mi (13 km), 2 days) in dry season (Nov–Apr); avoid rainy months.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
229 km² (89 sq mi)89 sq mi (229 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…US State DepartmentUS citizens and US residents (US persons) may not travel …No cards
- Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
- Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
- Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
- Cuba ↗US State Department: Level 2, exercise increased caution (in place since 2025; the US Embassy reported another island-wide blackout on 18 September 2026). UK FCDO: against all but essential travel (updated 25 September 2026). Canada: avoid non-essential travel (updated 28 September 2026). Australia: reconsider your need to travel. Read your own government's advice and check your insurance still covers Cuba before booking (checked 2026-09).
- Cuba ↗Check entry rules for your passport with the Cuban embassy or official sources; most visitors need an e-visa (formerly the tourist card) and the online D'Viajeros form, and requirements change.
- Cuba ↗US citizens and US residents (US persons) may not travel to Cuba as tourists. The trip must fit one of 12 OFAC general-licence categories: family visits; official government business; journalism; professional research and meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, competitions and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; private foundations and research institutes; information and informational materials; and certain export transactions. Most independent travellers use 'support for the Cuban people', which needs a full-time schedule of activities with Cuban people and private businesses (casas, paladares, private guides), and records kept for 5 years. US persons may not stay at properties on the State Department's Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List (11 more Havana hotels added 14 July 2025) or deal directly with entities on the Cuba Restricted List (GAESA and other military-linked businesses). Rules tightened in 2025–26; check OFAC before booking (checked 2026-09).
- Cuba ↗Medical insurance is compulsory for entry: carry proof of a policy valid in Cuba, or buy a Cuban (Asistur) policy on arrival. US-based insurers are generally not accepted in Cuba; flights from the US include a Cuban medical policy in the fare — keep the boarding pass as proof (check with your airline). Hospital bills are payable in cash only, so buy cover with medical evacuation as well (checked 2026-09).
- Cuba ↗No cards: US-issued debit and credit cards have never worked in Cuba because of the embargo, and since 6 June 2026 Visa and Mastercard cards from any country are no longer accepted (Cuban Central Bank, after a foreign processor dropped FINCIMEX under US Executive Order 14404). Bring enough US dollars or euros in cash for the whole stay plus an emergency reserve (checked 2026-09).
- Eastern Cuba ↗Bring cash in euros or dollars; cards issued by US banks do not work, and ATMs are unreliable outside Santiago and Holguín.
- Eastern Cuba ↗Shared taxis (colectivos) and Viazul buses are the practical intercity options; confirm departures the day before.
- Eastern Cuba ↗Scheduled blackouts are common; carry a power bank and a torch.
At a glance
- Country
- Cuba
- Area
- 229 km² (89 sq mi)89 sq mi (229 km²)
- Park covers about 22,940 ha (≈229 km²); figures may vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Sierra Maestra National Park protects the forested mountains of eastern Cuba, including Cuba’s highest peak Pico Turquino and historic revolutionary sites.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1980.
Size and age
229 km² (89 sq mi)89 sq mi (229 km²) · national park since 1980
Park covers about 22,940 ha (≈229 km²); figures may vary by source (check).
Why go
- Hike to Cuba's highest point, Pico Turquino, for panoramic mountain views.
- Explore historic revolutionary sites such as Comandancia de la Plata and Che Guevara’s field hospital.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry, clear trails
- FebCool, dry, good for long hikes
- MarMild, less rain, blooming flora
- AprTransition to rainy season, still hikeable
- MayIncreasing showers, trails may get slippery
- JunHot, humid, frequent rain
- JulPeak rain, possible storms
- AugRainy, risk of tropical storms
- SepRainy, humidity high
- OctRain tapering, still humid
- NovDry, cooler, clear skies
- DecDry, comfortable temperatures
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endemic birds (e.g., Cuban tody, bee hummingbird)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Amphibians and reptilesMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Holguín (HOG)
Rent a car or hire a taxi; drive 2 h south to Bayamo, then 2 h east to Villa Santo Domingo (park gate).
4–5 h
From Santiago de Cuba
Bus or shared taxi south to the park’s southern entrance near Santiago.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Bayamo
Local bus or taxi east to the park gate at Santo Domingo.
2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Santo Domingo entrance | Gate, visitor information, ticket office. | Open to all visitors with entry ticket. |
| Pico Turquino summit area | Highest point, viewpoints, refuge cabins. | Reachable via the Alto de Naranjo trail; guide recommended. |
| Revolutionary historic zone | Comandancia de la Plata, Che Guevara’s field hospital. | Open; short hikes from the main trail. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park and key points; used for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | CUP 30 | person | 2026 estimate (check) |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated refuges or backcountry sites following Leave‑No‑Trace; open fires prohibited.
- Guides
- Strongly recommended for the Pico Turquino summit and historic sites.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
Where to stay
In the park
Refuge cabins in the park
Basic dormitory style lodging; book via local guides.
Near the park
Santo Domingo town
Small hotels and guesthouses a few km from the gate.
Safety
Mosquito‑borne diseases medium
Steep, slippery terrain medium
Rainy season storms high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entrance area reachable by car; short walks to visitor centre.
- Long treks involve steep, uneven paths; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Follow Leave‑No‑Trace principles; pack out all waste.
- Support local guides and refuges to benefit nearby communities.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sierra Maestra National Park?
The entry fee is about 30 CUP per person (2026 estimate, check).
What are the best hikes in Sierra Maestra National Park?
The classic route is the 13 km Alto de Naranjo to Pico Turquino (2 days). Shorter options include the 45‑minute hike to Comandancia de la Plata and a day trek to El Salto waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Sierra Maestra National Park?
The dry season from November to April offers clear trails and cooler weather; avoid the rainy months June‑October.
Do I need a guide for the Pico Turquino summit?
A guide is strongly recommended for safety and navigation, especially on the multi‑day ascent.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Back‑country camping is permitted if you follow Leave‑No‑Trace; designated refuges provide basic cabins.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Sierra Maestra National Park
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