CubaPLUS Magazine

Located in the coastal town of Caibarién, Villa Clara, the Marcelo Salado Sugar Industry Museum stands as a vital cultural and historical institution honoring Cuba's rich sugar-producing heritage.  

Housed on the grounds of a former sugar mill (central) of the same name, the site played a pivotal role in Cuban economy and society, particularly during the 20th-century sugar boom.  

The museum preserves an extensive collection of artifacts, historical documents, and heavy machinery that illustrate the entire sugar production process—from sugarcane planting to the refined final product. Through these exhibits, visitors can explore the history of the industry in Cuba, agricultural and milling techniques, and sugar’s profound economic and social impact on the island's development.  

Led by a knowledgeable guide, the tour begins with a tasting of freshly pressed sugarcane juice—known in Cuba as guarapo—followed by a sampling of fine Cuban rum, a spirit distilled directly from sugarcane molasses.  

Originally established as an active sugar mill in 1831, it was converted into a museum in 2002 by decision of the national government, recognizing it as the oldest operational mill in the country at the time.  

The museum also features video presentations on Cuban sugar traditions, detailed scale models depicting workers throughout the production process—from field harvesting to crystallization—and a dedicated open-air section known as the Steam Museum (Museo del Vapor). Here, visitors can admire an extraordinary collection of 19th-century steam locomotives, including the largest of its kind in Latin America.  

A highlight for visitors is the tour’s grand finale: a ride aboard a 117-year-old steam train meticulously restored by the museum’s dedicated staff. The team spares no effort in maintaining these historic engines, preserving a living testament to Cuba’s sweet sugar heritage.  

This museum is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to understand Cuban history, the central role of sugar in the island’s growth, and its lasting cultural legacy. Situated in Villa Clara—one of Cuba's most historic sugar-producing regions—it remains a benchmark for cultural tourism on the island.