 The
province of Guantánamo is located in the eastern
part of the country, with 6183 km2. It limits in the
north with the province of Holguín and the Atlantic
Ocean, in the south with the Caribbean Sea, and in the
east with el Paso de los Vientos (The Wind Corridor),
and in the west with Santiago de Cuba.
This is the most mountainous region of Cuba and also
one of the most beautiful. It is divided in 5 natural
regions: Sagua, Baracoa, Cuenca de Guantánamo,
Sierra Maestra and Valle Central. Colón arrived
in Bariay on October 27, 1492, and after traveling the
north coast landed in Baracoa where he was amazed by
its rivers, bays and beaches, and the green terraces
that rise along the coast.
La villa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
de Baracoa, founded by Diego Velázquez in 1511,
became the base for the conquest of the island; hence,
it was here where the first government of the colony
was established. In 1518 Baracoa reached the rank of
City and its church was declared Cathedral.
Among its picturesque valleys and vigorous mountains,
the most outstanding ones are el Valle de Guantánamo
and el Yunque de Baracoa, the last one a National Monument.
The Baitiquirí-Maisí coastal region is
a real botanic garden due to its cacti and xenophiles
flora, and Monte Verde de Yateras is the place of greatest
endemic vegetation in the country. The most important
mountains are Las Cuchillas del Toa de Baracoa and la
Sierra del Purial. It is in this last mountain where
the highest elevation is found, Loma del Gato, being
1170 meters high.
It is a province rich in folkloric traditions, derived
from the fusion of several cultures, the Spanish, the
African and the French. The amalgam of races served
as foundation of traditions that were enriched with
the popular imagination which originated rhythms; such
as, la Tumba Francesa and el Changüí, lately
famous due to the interpretations of Compay Segundo.
In the mountain area of Yateras municipality, you can
see the most peculiar zoo in the world, it is made of
stone. This zoo was made by a coffee planter farmer
called Angel Iñigo, who as a hobby, began to
make sculptures polishing stone using an ax and a hammer.
There are dozens of animals of different species: horses,
bulls, buffalos, lions, elephants, giraffes, monkeys,
gorillas, boas and many other animals of the Cuban fauna
and other countries as well.
La Farola viaduct is another attraction of the area.
This hanging road being 30 km long links Baracoa with
the rest of the province. It was finished in the sixties
and it is the terrestrial via most impressive in Cuba,
linked on one side with the mountain, while on the other
side rests on solid columns fixed to the ground. From
there, majestic views and landscapes of splendid grandeur
can be seen, with steep green picks and deep depressions.
The highest points of this road constitute real bay-windows,
el Alto de Cotilla is one of the most famous. The streams
that flow down from the mountains and the Yumurí
river that meanders all the viaduct in its course towards
the north, constitute part of this landscape.
The City of Baracoa, capital of the province, is located
between the bays of Baracoa and Miel. Their beaches
alternate with beaches and reefs that as a whole constitute
an original beauty. Among its tourist installations,
we can point out three hotels, La Rusa, El Plaza and
El Castillo.
El Fuerte de Matachín –a fortress built
as strategic defense- is today the History Museum, which
holds documents and objects that are eloquent proves
of the historical development of the city.
Lastly, the food in Baracoa is famous for the preparation
of unique dishes in the country and in the world. There
only you can taste the Tetí, a tiny little fish
that only appears at the mouth of the rivers Toa, Miel
and Nibujón, as well as the Cucuruchos de Baracoa,
a dessert of great acceptance made of coconut, honey,
orange, and pineapple or banana.
POSSIBLE HOTELS
El Castillo Hotel:*** Located in an
old Spanish fortress. The pub serves as a viewing station
overlooking the bay. It faces the city and the Miel
River. The Yunque de Baracoa Mountain —the symbol
of the city— stands behind. Only two kilometers
(1.2 miles) from Baracoa’s airport, this hotel
has air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom, international
telephone service, radio, and satellite TV. Restaurant
specializing in international cuisine, grill, swimming
pool for both adults and children, hosted entertainment,
two bars, nighttime entertainment, ecological tourism,
medical services, shop, game room, currency exchange,
tourist information bureau, safe deposit box, parking,
car rental, and taxis.
Porto Santo Hotel:*** Porto Santo is the name
given by Admiral Christopher Colombus to the city of
Baracoa. The nearby mountains can be explored from the
hotel. You may also admire the Farola Viaduct and make
excursions in cayuco boats along the Toa River. Only
half a kilometer from Baracoa’s airport, this
hotel has air-conditioned rooms, private bathroom, satellite
TV, radio, terrace, and international telephone service.
Restaurant specializing in international cuisine, three
bars, grill, swimming pool for both adults and children,
hosted entertainment, two tennis hard courts, medical
services, ecological tourism, shop, tourist information
bureau, currency exchange, safe deposit box, parking,
car rental, and taxis.
Casa Maguana:* Located on the road
leading to Moa in an environment of amazing natural
beauty. This house has six air-conditioned rooms with
private bathroom, radio, TV, and refrigerator. Restaurant,
bar and grill.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THESE HOTELS PLEASE
CONTACT US HERE
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