San Juan Camagüeyano, Cuba

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What is the San Juan Camagüeyano?

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The celebration of San Juan Camagüeyano is a festival that takes place every year in the city of Camagüey, the island of Cuba. This celebration is based on religious practices that have acquired a lot of cultural elements over time. It is currently considered one of the oldest traditions, having been celebrated since colonial times.

The comparsas and carrozas are one of its distinctive features that begin to occupy the streets of the city in mid-June. Also, different cultural and gastronomic activities take place. The conga, the music and the tambores shake the city with their characteristic rhythm from beginning to end, gathering the masses to celebrate in the streets.

 

 

The festivities have continued to grow and evolve over time, including new elements such as national drinks and food in its various fairs, bazaars and kiosks. Every year thousands of people come from all regions of Cuba to see with their own eyes the magic of theCamagüeyano San Juan celebrations.

 

 

When is the San Juan Camagüeyano?

The festivities of San Juan Camagüeyano are held in mid-June, usually from the 24th to the 29th of that month.

 

 

History of San Juan Camagüeyano

 

The origin of the festivities of San Juan Camagüeyano has been taking place for several centuries. Its beginnings date back to the colonial era, when the celebrations carried with them a deep religious sentiment and the streets were carried in processions along with the island’s slaves.

During the period, the festivities were carried out by the families with greater purchasing power, so the celebration was full of dances and entertainment. The houses were decorated and families and friends gathered to watch the processions from the balconies. Over time, the celebrations were incorporatingmore carnival elements, culminating the festivities with the burial of the saint, a tradition that is still preserved.

During the wars, the celebrations were in a state of intermittency or simply stopped being celebrated. However, after the Cuban Revolution Cuban Revolution, the celebrations emerged again, reviving the festivities with new more national elements and at the same time, incorporating elements such as dancing and music..

The celebration date was also somewhat affected after the Cuban Revolution, as they were looking for ways to celebrate some holidays and traditions to coincide with the events that marked the country through the wars. However, today the date has been maintained, celebrating the festivities in mid-June..

 

Where is the San Juan Camagüeyano?

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The celebration of San Juan Camagüeyano takes place in the city of Camagüey in the central region of theisland of Cuba. Some of the main points of the celebration is the Plaza de los Trabajadores.

 

 

How is the celebration of San Juan Camagüeyano?

The festivities of San Juan Camagüeyano begin at midnight on the 24th with the reading of the Bando at the municipal Government House. This is followed by an inaugural parade that includes different classic cultural representations of the country.

The following days some walks also take place along some streets of the city and a great variety of orchestras and artistic presentations take place in the different public points such as streets and squares of the city..

During the festivities some traditions are still preserved such as rodeos and bull riding due to the livestock traditions of the city. The streets are filled with contests, exhibitions and screenings of films and audiovisual material. Also, drinks and typical food such as the ajiaco camagüeyano are available in the different areas of the city.

 

Tips to go to San Juan Camagüeyano

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If you want to experience the celebrations of San Juan in the flesh, we recommend you plan your trip in advance, make a travel itinerary with the different activities you want to do and book your accommodation in advance.

Also, we recommend that you keep politics out of the conversation, as it can sometimes result in major arguments.

If you want to know more about tourism in this country I recommend this guide:.

 

Events in the San Juan Camagüeyano

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On the first day of the festivities, exactly at 12:01 a.m. on June 24, the Reading of the Bando takes place at the Municipal Government House, thus initiating the festivities. Then, the greatinaugural parade takes place, which has comparsas and floats that move through the streets among the crowds. The conga is heard in every corner of the city, letting the locals know that the celebration has already begun.

The different artistic activities, such as orchestras, music and art presentations, film screenings and exhibitions are held in the different public spaces, such as plaza Santa Ana, San José among other plazas, streets and avenues. Likewise, different bullfighting activities are carried out due to the livestock tradition that occupies the city.

 

 

The food can not be missing, that is why the city offers you differentstalls, fairs and kiosks so you cans try traditional food like the ajiaco camagüeyano and the different traditional drinks of Cuba with the Caribbean rum and beer..

At the end of the festivities, theburial of San Pedro takes place on June 29 in the afternoon, continuing the party with the distinctive rhythm of the conga among the large crowd that comes from all over to live the festivities in their own skin.

 

 

San Juan Camagüeyano Parades

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The grand parade takes place on the first day during theearly morning hours, as it fulfills the function of being an inaugural parade. Likewise, the parade features the different cultural and musical elements of the festivities or Cuban parrandas. The conga, the tambores and the trompetas are present in the streets, accompanied by the different comparsas with their bailarines of showy costumes and the carrozas of great size that pass through the streets.

 

Parade route

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The route normally starts at the Municipal Government House and ends at Plaza de los Trabajadores, extending along the main avenue.

 

 

What to eat in San Juan Camagüeyano

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One of the traditional meals in the city of Camagüey is the ajiaco camagüeyano, a dish comprising beef, plantain, vegetables and different tubers. You can also try matajíbaro, a dish made mainly of plantain, garlic and onion.

Some of the places that the city offers you to eat out are: Casa Italia, Restaurant 1800 and Mesón del Príncipe..

 

 

Travel Insurance

 

From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurances. Read more information about all insurance offers here:

 

 

What to see and do inside San Juan Camagüeyano

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Within the celebrations of San Juan Camagüeyano you can witness the opening ceremony of the reading, following the grand inauguration parade. You can make your way through the crowd and enjoy the congas, comparsas and floats that cross the main streets and avenues of the city.

Likewise, you can take part in the different cultural, musical and artistic activities that take place in the different points and public squares of the city. You can also go toeat at the fairs and kiosks in the precinct to taste traditional dishes, rum and beer.

Finally, you can take part in the burial ceremony of San Pedro and continue the festivities with congas until dawn.

If you don’t want to complicate things, here you can book interesting excursions in Spanish in this city:.

 

What to see and do outside of San Juan Camagüeyano

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Some of the tourist attractions that the city offers you are:

 

Plaza del Carmen

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It is a public square built in the 19th century. In its surroundings you can find different statues and works. It is located in the vicinity of the Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen.

 

Historic Center

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The historical center is the heart of the city. Here you can find different residential buildings and architectural works of great historical importance.

 

Coco Beach

It is a beach with crystal clear waters and clean areas. Nearby you have some locals where you can go to eat and hang out.

Also if you want to visit museums and important buildings in this city we recommend that you book the entrance in advance through Tiquets: .

 

Safety in the San Juan Camagüeyano

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The city of Camagüey is safe to transit. Our only advice is to apply the same precautions you would take in your city of residence. Also, we recommend the following products to store your belongings safely:

 

 

Weather in San Juan Camagüeyano

 

The weather during the celebrations is pleasant, counting on temperatures ranging between 22 and 32 degrees Celsius and considerable chances of precipitation.

 

 

How to get to San Juan Camagüeyano

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How to get there by plane

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The closest airport to thecity of Camagüey is the Ignacio Agramonte International Airport, this receives some national and international flights. Once you are at the airport, you can use the different means to get to the center of the city.

We recommend buying airline tickets through Kiwi.com or Skyscanner where they are usually cheaper. More information on this link to review Kiwi.com..

 

How to get there by train

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From Havana you can take a train to the city of Camagüey. The trip takes 11 and a half hours.

 

How to get there by bus

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From Havana you can take a bus of the company Viazul directly to the city of Camagüey. The trip takes 7 hours and 40 minutes.

 

How to get there by car

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From the airport take the Avellaneda to the city center. The trip takes 16 minutes.

From Havana take the Autopista Nacional to the city of Camagüey. The trip takes 6 and a half hours.

 

Where to stay in San Juan Camagüeyano

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Booking.com

 

Gran Hotel by Melia Hotels International Cuba

3-star hotel 200 meters from the city center. Rooms have TV, air conditioning and bathroom. Facilities offer swimming pool and bar.

 

Hotel Camagüey

3 star hotel 3.9 km from the city center. Rooms have cable TV and private bathrooms. Facilities include a swimming pool and bar.

 

Taraco

1 star hotel 1.8 km from the city center. Rooms are air conditioned and have private bathrooms. Facilities include a bar.

We recommend using Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:.

 

Thank you for reading

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