Monday, January 30, 2012

BARACOA CUBA GUIDE

Baracoa Restaurant in Cuba


BARACOA CUBA TOURIST
Cuba eastern most city is Baracoa which is the most remote location of the Cuban island. English Bay is a short drive from the city that was discovered by Christopher Columbus over 500 years ago as one of the best chocolate cities in the world. Baracoa has not been influenced at all by large tourism development despite the tranquil location and can be reached by car or boat from Santiago de Cuba  which is about a 4 hours ride or you can fly 2 hours by plane from Havana.  East of Baracoa you will find the Fuerte Matachín  which was built in 1802 where some very old houses and small museums are still open. West of Baracoa are the Fuerte La Punta which was built in 1803 which has a restaurant and beach next door. Also Fort El Castillo with a stunning view of the Baracoa two bays, is now Hotel El Castillo. While visiting Baracoa you must stop by the two music center near the central Parque de Independencia, the touristy Flan de Queso and the more traditional musical Casa de la Flana.

Close to Baracoa are twin rivers Miel and Toa rivers which have lots of beautiful waterfalls, the best known of which is El Saltadero, which is 17 m high. The 600m high mountain top of El Yunque or The Anvil, is 10 km to the west of Baracoa. It is a part of a older plateau and because of its isolation it has several unique species of plants and palms. Baracoa's official climb starts at camp El Yunque for Cubans only where a guide is cost you about 15 euro for personal tours.


English: Bay in Baracoa, Cuba. January 2003.
Image via Wikipedia
A short ride from Baracoa you can visit Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt located about 22km north then onto Salto Fino which is the highest waterfall in the Caribbean is produced by a sudden drop-off into the Arroyo del Infierno or Hell's stream, a tributary of the Quibijan river. Seventy rivers flow into the Toa river, which is the grandest river in Cuba. The 305-meter-high Salto Fino waterfall is recorded as the #1 Highest Water Fall in Cuba but also the 20th highest water chute in the world.It is a must see when you come visit BaRacoa Cuba.

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