There’s more to Matanzas than meets the eye. Local in Cuba explores the distinctive and captivating aspects of the city.

Once a sparsely populated indigenous territory, Matanzas became a major defense outpost for Spain, a dominant force in the sugar industry, and by the mid-1800s was a vibrant cultural center brimming with poets, writers, artists and musicians. This artistic legacy and the influence of a compelling Afro-Cuban heritage are essential components of the city's and province's culture today.