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The first Spanish settlement
in Cuba, Baracoa was founded in 1512. Its attractions
include aboriginal petroglyphs and pictographs that
are preserved in Patana, Potrerillo and Oscura (I
and II) Caves
The city itself contains
bits of an impressive system of fortifications that
was built in the 18th century. Matachin Fort (now
the Municipal Museum of Baracoa). Punta Fort and Sanguily
Fort (now the El Castillo Hotel) are well worth seeing.
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Baracoa is a land of great
rainfall and many rivers. The lush vegetation, the high mountains
covered with long-lived forest, the customs that have been
handed down from one generation to another and the appearance
of a town that has remained unchanged over a long time are,
undoubtly, key ingredients in the special attraction of this
tiny city on the shores of Miel (Honey) Bay.
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Coconut trees;
the fast-flowing Toa River; and the Yunque (Anvil) of
Baracoa a high mountain with a flat top that can be seen
from far out at sea and which, because of its enormous
size and singular shape, was a natural landmark for seamen
are all symbols of nature in the area. |
Location
and How to Get There |
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Baracoa
is on the northern coast of Guantanamo
Province, over 620 miles (1000 km) east of Havana.
You can get there by flying Gustavo Rizo Airport, which
hadles small and medium-sized planes, or by driving along
the Moa-Baracoa highway or the La Farola viaduct, which
links Baracoa with regions to the south. This last is
an impressive feat of engineering that winds among mountains
1968 feet (600 m) above the sea level and has nine bridges
that hang out over precipes. |
Carretera
de La Farola
Built
in the 60´s and named after the most spectacular
mountain of the area through which it runs, it is still
the only road to Baracoa. Considered one of the best
works of engineering in Cuba, it has a ”Central”
sightseeing site, but in itself it is an uninterrupted
watchtower to sights you will never forget.
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Activities
include swimming and sunbathing at the beach in complete
privacy, swimming or boating on any of the many rivers,
and excursions along the coast and inland. Because of
its climate, its unspoiled natural attractions and its
immense tranquillity, Baracoa is a perfect place for getting
a really good rest. |
| Nearby
Places Places of Interest |
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Baracoa
(founded in 1511) was the first Spanish settlement in
Cuba. Its name is aboriginal and means "land of waters",
but this is also a land of cacao, coconuts and minerals.
The area has interesting traditions, history and legends.
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The
town is quiet, with some attractive architecture-several houses
dating from the 19th century and a systhem of colonial fortifications
that includes Matachin Fort (now a museum of local history,
the natural scienes and archeology) and La Punta Fort (now
a restaurant).
Baracoa
parish church contains a cross that is silverplated at its
extrimities and is a real treasure- the Parra Cross, the only
remaining one of the 29 that Columbus had erected on shore
during his voyages. Explore the beautiful rivers in the area:
the Duaba, the Miel (Honey), the Yumuri and the Toa. This
last is the largest river in Cuba; it is fed by 71 tributaries
and has several waterfalls, such as El Saltadero, over 55
feet (17 m) high. Go boating between the tall cliffs at the
mouth of Yumuri River.
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Inland,
the Yunque de Baracoa (Baracoa Anvil) is a mountain that
rises to 1765 feet (538 m) above the sea level. Named
for its shape, it dominates Baracoa's skyline. The Cuchillas
del Toa is a preserve of the biosphere. |
Many
people believe that Ivory-billed Woodpeckers (Campephilus
principalis bairdii), whch has been declared extinct, still
live there. It also includes the largest rainforests in Cuba,
which contain precious wood trees and several valuable species
of animals, such as the solenodon; a tiny frog that is thought
to be the smallest in the world; and Cuban land snails (Polymita
picta), that are the most colorful ones on earth. Here too,
you can see over 900 species of endemic flora, including around
360 that are found only in this area.
Baracoa
also has over 50 important archeological sites. According
to the experts, it was the largest center of development of
Cuban-Indians' culture. Moreover, this is the only place in
Cuba whose inhabitants have features showing their Indian
heritage.
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Visit
the Duaba Farm for a delecious Cuban lunch after seeing
how cacao is turned into chocolate. |
Or
go up in the mountains of
Guantanamo Province to see the Stone Zoo - perhaps the
only one of its kind in the world - where Angel Inigo, a farmer
who taught himself how to sculpt, has worked on stones in
their original places, creating around 400 stone animals.
From
Baracoa you can also go on an excursion to Maisi, at the easternmost
tip of Cuba, to see its impressive marine terraces, which
are among the largest in the world. This is an area of caves
and cactus where you'll be surprised by the quick change from
the rainiest area in the country to the driest one, which
is known as Cuba's semi-desert. On the way back to the capita
of the province, stop off at the Malones Lookout Point for
a good view of the Guantanamo Naval Base.
Links:
| Living
in Baracoa |
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Miguel
Angel Castro Machado
The
town of Baracoa is and has been full of eccentric and
interesting characters. The most intersting one during
this generation is poet and historian Miguel Angel
Castro Machado, Historian, founder of Museo Matachin,
racounteur extraordinaire, loyal friend. He knows more
about the ecology, history, geography and character
of this town than any one else.
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| To
Do in Baracoa |
Beaches |
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Playa
Maguana
A
few kilometers west of Baracoa, the beach
is a little cove where there is a rustic hamlet
with very few inhabitants. Bar and restaurant
services in the midst of the luxurious vegetation.
Playa
Nibujón
West
of Baracoa, by the river of the same name, and
used by locals. There are no tourist facilities,
but its main attraction is due to the mountain
at its back that makes it unforgettable for those
preferring Nature.
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| Catedral
de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion |
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Maceo
#152
Baracoa
Unquestionably,
the most interesting relic in Baracoa is the Parra
Cross which, it said, is one of the 19 that Christopher
Columbus left in the New World as witness to the
arrival of Christianity.
The cross is exhibit in Our Lady of Assumption
Parish Church. It is he oldest symbol of Catolic
religion in the New World. |
Cueva
Oscura
Monument
Carretera de Baracoa a Maisí,
Baracoa
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| Museo
Municipal de Baracoa |
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Fuerte
Matachín
Baracoa
The Municipal Museum
contains archeological exhibits dating from the
period before Columbus stumbled on the area and
many photos, documents and other exhibits related
to local history, from its founding up to the
present. |
El
Primer Malecón del Caribe
Sitio de interés
Baracoa
Fabrica
de Tabacos Manuel Fuentes
Marti #214
Baracoa
Centro
de Veneteranos
photos about the Revolution and the Angola
war
Marti #216
Baracoa
El Castillo
de Seboruco
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| Fuerte
de la Punta |
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El Yunque de Baracoa |
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Monumento
Baracoa |
Cueva El Potrerillo
No. 2 |
Monumento
Baracoa
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Carnival |
The
first week of April
Baracoa
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