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Baracoa coast and jungle driveThe Baracoa beaches of eastern Cuba are a tropical oasis of serenity, the perfect place to unwind before or after a visit to the high-spirited city of Santiago on your Cuban holiday. For quite some time Baracoa was secluded from the outside world simply because no roads lead to this area. Being cut off from the rest of the modern-day world, allowed the area to maintain its authentic charm - much like Trinidad. The comparison ends there though. You won't find any shining examples of colonial architecture and colourful homes here; instead streets are lined with modest wooden homes and banana trees and where backyards end the tropical rainforest and the Caribbean begin.Baracoa is surrounded by wonders of nature. The newest, yet best protected national park in Cuba - Humboldt - lies just north of the Baracoa beaches of Cuba. The spectacular Yumuri canyon and the rushing river that runs through it can be found just south of Baracoa. The El Yunque table mountain, in the picture to the left, can be reached by bicycle. During this tropical Cuba tour you'll spend the night in a Spanish fortress. |
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Duration |
3 days - 2 nights, daily |
Accommodation |
Double occupancy room with shower and toilet in Spanish fortress with swimming pool |
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Price |
Please see our Contact Us page for more details |
Includes |
Accommodation for 2 nights with breakfast |
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Transport |
Excludes |
Transport, other meals, excursions and entrance fees |
Day 1: Arrival in BaracoaGetting to the Baracoa beaches of tropical Cuba is quite a unique experience in itself. When arriving from Santiago de Cuba, you'll start out with a drive through the Sierra Maestra foothills to Guantanamo. Drive into town for lunch - you won't be able to see any evidence of the US Naval Base that's located here.Then you'll continue your Cuba trip on to the arid southern coast of Cuba. During the drive you'll see quite a few cacti, an uncommon sight in any other part of Cuba. As you pass by the town of Imais, you'll head into the countryside along a winding mountain road. When this road was built in the 60's, it made Baracoa accessible to the outside world. The Cubans are very proud of the road and have named it La Farola which means lamppost. All along the road you'll see vendors selling fruit and coconut cream. It'll take you about 1.5 hour to complete the drive and as you go you'll notice how the scenery becomes increasingly more tropical. Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere you'll begin to see the sea again and then finally Baracoa, a town of 60,000 inhabitants. |
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It was here on the Baracoa beaches of Cuba that Christopher Columbus first set foot on fertile Cuban soil. The Spaniards stayed behind and built a settlement here. The church in Baracoa is the original church which was once commissioned by Columbus himself. One of the Spanish fortresses perched high upon a hill overlooking the glistening waters of the Caribbean has been converted into an atmospheric hotel with swimming pool. The hotel rooms are lined up along an archway and are nicely decorated with wood furniture. Thank goodness for the hotel's air conditioning; you'll certainly need it in this warm, humid, tropical Cuba. A staircase with about 80 treads leads down from the hotel into the centre of town. From here you can easily explore the town on foot. |
Day 2: Baracoa beaches - CubaIf the weather is pleasant, you could go on a guided hike in Humboldt National Park (ask for a guide at the hotel reception desk for about 15 CUC). You'll hike through coconut and banana plantations and you'll cross rivers deep in the heart of the rainforest- sure to be a highlight of your Cuban holiday. Your guide will give you the scoop on the tropical flora and fauna you come across and, depending on the season, he'll let you taste different types of exotic fruit. At some point you'll reach waterfall so don't forget to bring along your swimwear. Find a mountain of coconut shells to change behind and go for a swim between the vines deep in the mysterious green jungle.Need a few more options on your tropical Cuba trip? You could also go on a boat ride or hike along the Toa River, near the stunning Yumari Canyon or you could go on a bike ride near the Yunque table mountain. If you want to do it all, you'll need to spend an extra night in Baracoa. Keep in mind that it can get a bit muddy when it rains here. |
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Day 3: Departure from the Baracoa beaches of CubaThis tropical Cuba module ends after breakfast. If you would like to spend a few days on the beach before you fly home, head out on an early drive along the coast to Playa Pesquero Cuba.If you're travelling in the other direction, you can take it easy this morning and lounge by the hotel pool for a while. Another option would be to drive five hours and schedule in our Santiago trip into your Cuba travel plan for some Salsa dancing and city life. |
A sneak peek at your tropical Cuba accommodation... (Click to enlarge)
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