It is distinguished as the easternmost tourist region known as "The Upper Cuban East", due to its combination of high mountains and valleys, which make it Las Terrazas de Cuba to the Caribbean Sea, it is identified by its unique nature, historical and cultural wealth, that make it an exponent of the largest world heritage on the Island with (three) 3, including the Alejandro de Humboldt Park, nucleus of the great Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve. Scenarios of the most diverse traditions and highly indigenous culinary art. Its wealth is possessed in more than 30 Protected Areas of great significance and several being national monuments. Its peculiar environmental contrast is highlighted by the semi-desert of the Cuban south and to the north the largest hydrographic basin led by the Toa River as the largest in Cuba. Where they contrast the fighting spirit of the wars for independence as opposed to the permanence in Guantánamo Bay of the illegally Yankee naval base. The crossing of its hillock takes us to the Monumental Viaduct of La Farola that guides us north towards the City Landscape: the Olympus of Cuban Nature, for the species of high endemism such as polymites, an authenticity with cocoa, coconut and its legendary rivers. With facilities for the enjoyment of ecotourism and excursions.
There is a transfer on the BusTour departing at 10:00am from the Historic Urban Center of Baracoa and returning at 4:00pm. The tour lasts 45 minutes until you reach the beach. Once there you can enjoy bathing in its crystal clear waters.
There is a transfer on the BusTour departing at 10:00am from the Historic Urban Center of Baracoa and returning at 4:00pm. The tour lasts 30 minutes. Upon arrival at the visitor center you can buy the entrance to the Tourist Park where you will take a river boat ride to penetrate the interior of the Yumurí River Canyon and thus enjoy the endemic natural beauty and refuge of local birds. You can also climb and ascend to the Loma de La Boruga viewpoint.
SWIMMING OPTIONS:
MAIN BEACHES: Its beautiful coastline makes available to visitors splendid beaches such as: Maguana, Cajuajo, Mapurisí, Playa Miel, Barigüita and Manglito.
FUNDAMENTAL RIVERS:Its large hydrographic network provides us with refreshing areas for bathing in several of its wealthy crystalline rivers such as the Rio Toa, Duaba, Miel, Yumurí and others.
Live experiences in our toursit natural parks
ALEJANDRO DE HUMBOLDT NATIONAL PARK, A WORLD HERITAGE SITE:
The balcony of Iberia trail: Walking tour along a 7-kilometer path, leaving from the Santa María River. It passes through a flat area surrounded by fruit trees (oranges, mandarins, mangoes) and abundant coconut trees, timber trees and medicinal plants. The trail is located in areas of the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park and in its second section includes the ascent to Monte de Iberia, with a height of 740 meters. In this section a submontane rainforest vegetation prevails, with timber trees and abundant populations of ferns. Observation of a 25 meter high jump next to the source of the Santa María River. The visitor can bathe in its transparent waters. Frequency: Daily. Hours: Upon request. Approximate duration: 5 hours.
Taco bay trail: Route of just over 2 km in rowing boat, from a dock in Taco Bay, where manatees live. Interaction with mangrove vegetation. Observation of a small key, formed by volcano-sedimentary tuffs. Walk bordering the bay that offers the panorama of the estuaries, an access route to visualize forms of the karst relief. During the tour you can enjoy the chatter of parrots, cateyes and the song of birds such as woodpeckers, blacks and seagulls. Near the Taco River, the hiker will enjoy the clear and fresh waters. Frequency: 2 Daily. Hours: Upon request. Approximate duration: 3 hours.
El Recreo Trail: 3 km route. During the first, a small intramontane valley is crossed where trees such as the Palma Real, Ácana and a centenary Ocuje can be seen. In the second kilometer, very close to the river, there are accumulations of boulders of different composition carried by the currents from the mountain, where the river is born. The trail ends with a refreshing swim in a natural pool. Frequency: Two daily departures. Hours: Upon request.
Path of the Founder: Its name tells us about the walking route to the beach, along an embankment path where you can see the fauna and different formations of coconut plantations, charrascales and pine forests, accompanied by some fruit trees until a mangrove with passage through a rustic bridge to finally Access to a peaceful environment of remarkable beauty in the shade of an exuberant vegetation of caletas grapes, almonds and hicacos in the middle of the La Fundadora beach dune for swimming and diving. Frequency: Daily. Hours: Upon request.
El copal trail: Upon arriving at the park, we start a walking tour along a path that allows us to appreciate the wildlife, mangroves, evergreen forests, cultural plantations and the lithology that serves as the basis for the natural values of the Baracoan environment. You pass a narrow road bordering a small mountain stream with crystal clear waters. We come across a coconut plantation and the hiker can learn about the use of coconut in Baracoa and the landscape environment. Frequency: Two daily departures. Hours: Upon request.
El Yunque Park:
El Yunque trail best known for its landscape and biodiversity. The trail begins at the camping base. A journey on foot, with a medium degree of difficulty, towards the Yunque plateau, symbol of Baracoa. The Duaba River is crossed, which bathes the base of the plateau and the cool climate accompanies the visitor during the journey. Observation of a landscape of mogotes, where palm trees such as Palma Real and Yuruguana prevail and trees such as jagüeycillos, mahogany and plants such as lilies and ferns stand out. Of the fauna, you can see birds such as woodpeckers, tocororos, zunzunes and other animals such as jutías and reptiles. Also, butterflies of singular beauty. At 576 meters, a natural viewpoint allows you to see the landscape of mountains and rivers and, in the background, the Bay of Porto Santo, where Christopher Columbus entered for the first time. Includes swim in the Duaba river, picnic lunch and snack. Frequency: 2 daily departures. Hours: Upon request.
The waterfall trail: It is a walking tour that begins at the Flora and Fauna Welcome Center, passes through the El Yunque Camping Base, with a medium degree of difficulty it goes through the surroundings of the Yunque with a height of 575 meters, the natural landscape allows a panoramic view the mountains, the mighty river Duaba with crystalline pools and the whisper of its fluvial currents to the melodious beat of nature, you can observe the palm trees, the Yuraguana and others, timber trees and plants, see birds such as woodpeckers, tocororos, zunzunes and animals such as jutías, reptiles and butterflies of singular beauty, with a cool climate during the 2.5 km journey until reaching a natural viewpoint to appreciate the beautiful and greenish pools that invite you to a refreshing and healthy bath, with bathing possibilities in their high natural pools and refreshing and relaxing jets for a happy return. You can request a picnic lunch and snack. Frequency: 2 daily departures. Hours: Upon request.
Bathing areas on the Duaba river: The Duaba River that runs through it has very beautiful natural pools with beautiful landscapes and conditions for bathing and recreation in its crystalline and healthy waters, in a traditional country setting, surrounded by cocoa, coconut and virgin plants, such as those of the Charco de la Piña, El Paso del Yunque, in front of the Waterfall and surrounding areas.
YUMURÍ TOURIST PARK:
Yumurí-Belete Trail: It begins with a river boat ride to enter the interior of the Yumurí River Canyon, descend and start the walk of about 6 km along the trail to enjoy the endemic natural beauty and refuge of local birds.
MAJAYARA ECOARCHELOGIC PARK:
The place is considered one of the Protected Areas designated as an Outstanding Natural Element of high value and the most important for archeology, it guarantees us to be the Taino Capital of Cuba with beautiful ecotourism options:
Caving - archaeological tour of Majayara: A set of underground galleries of great speleological value are located. More than 500 Petroglyph engravings have been found in these caves. In addition, constructions of aboriginal canals have been located for the supply of water. The area is rich in its flora and fauna, as there are species in danger of extinction and others not observed in another part of the country. The visitor will enjoy a view of the Majayara area from a natural viewpoint of the museum itself, where they will be able to appreciate the terrace systems that keep all that archaeological treasure; to appreciate in: caves with valuable aboriginal pictographs, the sanctuary of being, aboriginal water channels, cave of the Hispanic water channels, cave "the pearl of water", among others.
Archaeological Museum "La Cueva del Paraíso". It is an emblematic natural installation that owes its beauty to the environment, its panoramic views and a labyrinth of historical caves and suitable for lovers of history and archeology, where an infrastructure of archaeological museum pieces was created that show the high value of these cultures in the zone. It is located at the end of Moncada Street, about 300 meters from the Hotel El Castillo, it is part of the tour of the city.
En Maisí:
It stands out for the Punta de Maisí Lighthouse at the eastern end of Cuba, which marks us as "The Terrazas de Cuba al Caribe" for bypassing it large Marine Terraces known as "Escalenos de Gigantes" down to the depths of the sea and with diverse cave areas such as those of Pozo Azul. Its famous protected area is the Maisí - Caletas Ecological Reserve, with high fauna, floristic and archaeological values.
Observation from the Lighthouse of the Marine Terraces:
A very interesting view due to the predominance of the enormous terraces of La Meseta de Maisí, known as the Giant Steps for being one of the largest in the world, which in a horseshoe shape border the entire eastern end of Cuba like the Balcony to the Caribbean. In some places up to 15 terraces can be observed, a high degree of conservation is a magnificent example of a period of evolution of the land in the platform style, thus becoming a tourist attraction in the region.
Pozo azul:
It is part of the cave hydrography, of tectonic origin. It is especially attractive to visitors due to its paradisiacal and enigmatic appearance in the middle of the country landscape, facilitating bathing.
Observation of the fauna and flora:
It has exceptionally four of the six species of polymites, an endemic genus of terrestrial mollusks considered one of the most beautiful colored specimens in the world. The presence of a primitive and endangered reptile is also observed, the litter lizard, typical crycosaura, as well as other endemic flora and fauna, it is the center of the Caribbean birdlife corridor.
The nature options that are listed below are pending commercialization
The territory offers great potential for the enjoyment of nature tourism, highlighting the CUCHILLAS DEL TOA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, which is one of the most important ecological regions of the island and the best preserved for its virginity; and its fundamental nucleus THE ALEJANDRO DE HUMBOLDT NATIONAL PARK, a World Heritage Site, due to its high values of endemism in the flora and fauna at a regional and world level, is the natural jewel of Cuba; Both make us the capital of Cuban nature and occupy a vast area of the province, accessible by Yateras and Baracoa, providing charming excursions and trails to the following places:
ALEJANDRO DE HUMBOLDT NATIONAL PARK, WORLD HERITAGE SITE:
Riberas del Jiguaní trail: The tour begins at the Jiguaní river bridge, which is reached by motorcycles, cars or buses. It has a length of 3.25 km. And a duration of 5 hours approximately, with a medium degree of difficulty. The first half of the journey is done on foot to the beach that forms the river, the rest of the journey, by boat across the river. The unique V-shaped valley of the Jiguaní River stands out, which bathes the slopes of the elevations. The tropical climate associated with geology and other natural factors condition the existence of plant formations such as mangroves, charrascales, evergreen forests and pine forests. Frequency: Two daily departures. Hours: Upon request.
CUCHILLAS DEL TOA BIOSPHERE RESERVE:
Trail navigating the toa: During the excursion, you will see places such as the Coconut Oil, Cucurucho and Cacao derivatives factories, the Duaba River, kilns to extract copra from coconut, Brazilian kilns to process the part of the coconut tree that is going to be used for coal activated, until the journey along the bank of the Toa to reach the place where navigation begins in a traditional environment. The tour includes a swim in the Toa River and optional picnic lunch or snack. Daily departures, 8:30 am.
Juncal trail - rencontra: The tour begins in the town of La Colmena, in Mabujabo, which is reached by an easily accessible path surrounded by coconut, coffee and banana plantations, which passes through the Rencontra, on the banks of the Duaba River. As we move forward we find an exuberant flora of the Pomarrosa, the Yagrumo, the Palma Real, the Piñón Florido, the Jobo, the Majagua and various fruit trees, such as mango, orange and mandarin. The tour includes a bath in the Duaba River, picnic lunch and a snack. Daily departures, 8:30 am.
The coconut route: It is an exclusive option on the history of The Capital of Coco in Cuba: Baracoa. Traditionally known by the Cucurucho, coconut water, whose roots come from French emigration, it is said that "they break the coconut with their heads", there are extensive coconut plantations from Mabujabo to Nibujón, within the Toa and Park Reserves Humboldt, with high ecological and organic value, as it extends through the Majayara area to Yumurí, shows its agriculture and its technological and industrial processes with Malay Ovens, Acopios, Cone factories and typical products, an Oil Extractor, the Factory of Activated Carbon, among others such as its beautiful natural nurseries. It can be done on the coconut path available at the Rancho Toa de Gaviota farm with the traditional handling and derivative products among the offers of the facility, with the service of specialized guides on the tour of La Capital del Coco.
EL YUNQUE PARK:
It is a Protected Area as an Outstanding Natural Element, part of the Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve, it was declared a National Monument, it is the symbol of the city, a recognized plateau and an international reference, it has been a source of inspiration for great Cuban intellectuals and artists and foreigners, it is reached by an 8 km ecotourism route, which allows us to enjoy various excursion and trail proposals to the following sites:
Path of cocoa and chocolate: At the Rancho Duaba Farm in Villa Gaviota Baracoa, a tour is given with a native peasant guide of the place who explains the entire cocoa process until tasting the delicious Creole chocolate at the Casa del Cacaotero. This option is also carried out for the June Cacao Route to the sites of interest related to the Baracoense cocoa culture and other options. It is an exquisite tourist option to enjoy the natural product Finca Turística as a cocoa plantation as an agricultural museum that shows us all its stages, types and varieties until the part of its artisanal processing, including drying, cocoa ball and chorote or criollo chocolate in the cocoa house, on a 270 m route. Proving the sustainable heritage of the people of Baracoa and its essence in the lives of many farmers who are proud to live in the Capital of Cacao of Cuba. It has a restaurant with lunch. It is located at Km 2 of the Highway to Moa and Highway to Yunque, in Mabujabo. His telephone number is 2164 5372.
Guantanamo Nature Optionals:
Southern tourist region made up of the city Guantánamo, provincial capital and its natural environment related to the song La Guantanamera by the Cuban composer Joseíto Fernández; Very closely linked to the history of the great bay of Bolsa in whose enclave the illegal North American naval base is located and to the influence of French emigrants from Haiti and with World Heritage Sites originating from the French Coffee Plantations, its hills were scenes of the independence and insurrectional struggles. It has an important natural environment due to the access it gives to the CUCHILLAS DEL TOA BIOSPHERE RESERVE with its nucleus in THE ALEJANDRO DE HUMBOLDT NATIONAL PARK, a World Heritage Site; in addition to the Ecological Reserve of Hatibonico with its Monitongos and the exclusivity of the South Cuban Semi-desert, which make it a very attractive special destination.
OPTIONAL:
From this territory you can enjoy optional nature tourism, highlighting its accesses with high values of endemism in flora and fauna, accessible by the Yateras municipality to enjoy ecotourism:
Path "to the tower" by Yateras: By road on a route of 50 km to the town of Madre Vieja, in Yateras, continuing along a mountain path of irregular relief to the Piedra La Vela Unit, to start the Trail, between pine forests and rain forests that escort rivers and streams to height of 680 meters. Vegetable formations with species of marked botanical interest are observed. It is possible the presence of birds of the native ornithofauna such as: Nightingale, Tocororo, Cartacuba, Cotorras and Zunzún, among others. The travel time is 2 hours with a medium degree of difficulty. It is one of the best preserved ecosystems in Cuba and the insular Caribbean.
Stone Zoo Tour: Ecotourism tour through the Piedra Zoo, the only one of its kind in the world, located on the road to Yateras 27 km away. from Guantánamo, where the original sculptor Ángel Iñigo Brito has created an interesting world of animals for more than 20 years sculpting the stones of the farm since 1977 and then his son Ángel Iñigo Pérez continues his work. Through the tour of the trails you can enjoy the flora and fauna of the place and observe in situ more than 400 carved pieces, which make up an impressive natural park with very green and abundant vegetation as part of Las Cuchillas del Toa, full of charms and viewpoints, from its natural height you can see the well-known Guantánamo Valley.
Visits to the Hatibonico Ecological Reserve in Caimanera, an exclusive and protected nature area located within the Baconao Biosphere Reserve, about 20 km away. Where in a semi-desert environment, mountains with rocky figures known as Los Monitongos stand out, which are a National Monument , where channels with emerging waters known as Los Tinajones are interspersed, which provide a beautiful endemic flora and fauna during the guided tours to:
Path “los monitongos”: It can be reached without difficulty by road in any type of vehicle, it has a length of 1.6 km, traveling in the middle of the ravines with a peculiar landscape, where endemic flora and fauna species are observed. It is possible to observe the Guantánamo valley, the Guantanamo Bay with the Illegal Yankee Naval Base and the Caribbean Sea.
Sendero de los tinajones: in the southwestern part of the Guantanamero Semi-desert, in the Hatibonico Ecological Reserve itself you can take an ecotourism tour observing Los Monitongos, MN. in the midst of a cozy and oasis atmosphere by the pipes that are formed by the accumulations of elusive sprouting and rainwater. They are rocky channels with water springs, which little by little, favor the growth of forests in their immediate surroundings, which seem like something from the other world and favor a flora and fauna exclusive to the place.
Tours of the protected areas of the Cuban semi-desert: This area is the least rainy and driest in Cuba, with semi-desert characteristics along the entire southern coastline, it is the one that contrasts towards the north with the wettest of the Cuchillas del Toa. It is an option with nature tours from the capital city:
Pasadías in the Bases of Campismos and in its beaches.
Visit to Cactus Gardens and natural viewpoints, campsites, Playitas de Cajobabo MN.
Visit to La Ruta Martiana from Playitas de Cajobabo MN. up to the La Farola Viaduct.
Visit to Maisí, the easternmost tip of Cuba, land of dawn and where the sun rises.
Protected Areas in Guantanamo:
- Cuchillas del Toa (Biosphere Reserve). NOT AVAILABLE
- Alejandro de Humboldt (National Park). AVAILABLE
- El Yunque de Baracoa (National Monument). AVAILABLE
- The Monitongos of Hatibonico (National Monument. NOT AVAILABLE
- Yumurí Canyon (Featured Natural Element). AVAILABLE
- Step of the GermansNatural passage of the Germans (Featured Natural Element). AVAILABLE
- MajayaraMajayara Eco-archeologic Park (Featured Natural Element). NOT AVAILABLE
- Maisí-Caleta (Ecological Reserve). NOT AVAILABLE
- Baitiquirí (Ecological Reserve). NOT AVAILABLE
- Hatibonico (Ecological Reserve). NOT AVAILABLE