Che Guevara Mausoleum and Monument: Iconic Complex in Santa Clara, Cuba
The pinnacle of any Che Guevara pilgrimage, this monument, mausoleum, and museum complex sits 2 km west of Parque Vidal (via Rafael Tristán on Avenida de los Desfiles), near the Viazul bus station. Even if you're not a devotee of the legendary Argentine revolutionary, the vast plaza spanning a wide avenue—crowned by a bronze statue of El Che on a 16-meter pedestal—carries profound emotional weight.
Erected in 1987 for the 20th anniversary of Guevara's death in Bolivia, the statue is accessible anytime. Enter from behind to visit the solemn mausoleum, home to 38 stone niches honoring guerrillas from the failed Bolivian campaign. In 1997, remains of Che and 16 comrades were exhumed from a secret Bolivian mass grave and reinterred here; Fidel Castro lit the eternal flame on October 17. The adjoining museum showcases artifacts and stories from Che's life and demise.
Arrive via a 15-minute walk or a scenic horse-drawn carriage from Calle Marta Abreu by the cathedral, costing just a few Cuban pesos.
