Nature of Granma, Cuba
For a true lover of nature, Granma province would be an exquisite cocktail of natural landscapes where the flavor of history perfectly matches with a touch of originality and exuberance. This region has the most important mountain mass in the country, the longest river, plains and wetlands, cave systems, a botanical garden and national parks with global recognition ... and in the historical dimension the territory has been the main scenario in all wars of national liberation, which began on October 10, 1868, until the revolutionary triumph on January 1, 1959. It was also the scene of the torture of Chief Hatuey, our first rebel; and of the events that gave rise to the first Cuban literary work. On top of that, Bayamo, the most important city, was the first Capital of the Republic in Arms and the second town founded by Diego Velázquez; its premises were the first to hear the national anthem of the Cubans ... but this is just a HINT of the immense natural historical potential that treasures our region. Are you convinced? I invite you to make an excursion through some of the most remarkable places of the territory.
Venturing to the conquest of the top of Sierra Maestra, it would be advisable and pleasant to spend the night in the rustic camp of Aguada de Joaquín, just three hours from the Pico Real Turquino. One night will allow the visitor to exchange with a climate that conditions a fauna and vegetation without comparison in the country: the cloudy forests of Turquino.Read More...
Continuing to Manzanillo, second city in importance of Granma, it is possible to observe the breeding and reproduction of crocodile in captivity. About an hour away is the Desembarco del Granma National Park, which has one of the most original and beautiful ecosystems in the entire archipelago. It is the largest and most conserved world exponent of the systems of marine terraces, emerged and submerged, considered by specialists one of the most beautiful and outstanding places of the Cuban archipelago, both for its natural values, and for having been the scene of relevant events of our national history. These are the reasons why it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. It has the honor of being the first natural site in Cuba to receive such distinction.
These wonders impressed Christopher Columbus, who on his second trip was helped and supplied in this area. The remoteness of this region to the village of San Salvador de Bayamo and the impenetrable forests, sources of fresh water, caused that in the second half of the 16th century it became a safe haven for corsairs and pirates such as John Hawking, Sir Henri Morgan and in the 19th century sheltered palenques of black cimarrones and mambises, who had in this area the main route of communication with Jamaica.
The excursionist will find inexhaustible the natural historical values that treasure the sites visited, but this is just the tip of the iceberg, most of the attractions of the region have yet to be unveiled for tourism; in a short time, these cases will be incorporated for the enjoyment of tourists: the buckets of Charco Prieto in Vega Grande, the birth of the Victorino river and El Gigante, the Saltos del Manguito in the Pico la Bayamesa National Park and the Cilantro thermal waters that will include quality of life services, to live the extraordinary experience of enjoying a legendary nature.