Cuba was a Spanish colony until it was conquered by the U.S. in 1898; the U.S. occupation ended officially in 1902. Nineteenth century Cuban lighthouses therefore have Spanish designs, similar to those used in Puerto Rico and the Philippines. One surviving lighthouse, Cayo Jutías, is known to have been built under the U.S. occupation.
Due to the longstanding political difficulties between Cuba and the U.S., American tourists have had practically no access to these lighthouses for the past 50 years. Most of the information available on the Internet has been posted by European or Canadian visitors or by Cuban tourist agencies.
Most Cuban lighthouses are not automated, so keepers are on site at most locations. Some of the stations are staffed by civilian keepers, but others are tightly restricted military posts. In general, the information on the Internet indicates that the major lighthouses, at least, are well maintained.
More information is needed on these lighthouses. If you have information or photos you are willing to share, please contact me.
ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from Volume J of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 110.
- General sources
Lighthouses of Cuba - Part I and Part II - Australian lighthouse researcher and author Garry Searle wrote this report for the Bulletin of Lighthouses of Australia; it includes valuable photos.
Cayo Jutías Light, Pinar del Río, July
2004
Creative Commons photo
by Davide Artioli
