Isla de la Juventud
Although
350 islands make up the Archipielago de los Canarreos, Isla de la
Juventud is by far the biggest of them and this region is administered
from the island's capital, Nueva Gerona. Much of the island is flat
and the Cienaga de Lanier is Cuba's second-largest swamp. Isla de
la Juventud is the least populated region of Cuba, with most people
living in the north of the island. Once known as Parrot Island,
it was a hideout for pirates like Francis Drake, John Hawkins, Thomas
Baskerville and Henry Morgan, and it inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's
Treasure Island. The local economy turns on cattle ranching and
grapefruit plantations, and the unhurried way of life and unspoilt
surrounds are the major attraction.
Just getting to Isla de la Juventud,
by boat or by plane, is a bit of an adventure. There are Indian
cave paintings at Punta del Este and great scuba diving along the
Pirate Coast drop-off at Punta Frances. The coral keys to the east
of Isla de la Juventud have turtles, iguanas and pelicans that seem
indifferent to human company.
Accommodations and Facilities
In addition to having expert divers, the international scuba-diving center offers specialized medical services, has a large hyperbaric chamber and is close to the hotel Colony, which has modern facilities. The Marina has moorings for 15 vessels, drinking water, electricity, fuel, a commissary and a harbor master's office.
How to get there
Flight
Cubana fly from Habana 3 a 4 times a day. Best to buy in Habana
a return flight, unless you want to get stucked at the
Island
Aerotaxi
fly two times a week between Pinar del Rio and Nueva Gerona (Tuesday
and Thursday). Aerotaxi also offers daily a flight between Habana
and Nueva Gerona. It's the best to buy the ticket as soon as possible.
In Nueva Gerona you have to buy the ticket at the airport.
Book
your domestic flight
Boat
Fast boat departs daily, at the port of Batabano. The journey will
take two hours. Best is to reserve in Habana. The boat company (NCC)
sell tickets at a small window in the Astro Bus Terminal in Habana
(at the side of the station where also the taxis are waiting). With
the reservation receipt you can buy in Batabano your ticket. The
reservation office is only open from 7 o'clock to 12 o'clock. From
the Astro busstation is leaving a connecting bus to Batabano. It's
leaving the days when the catamarn's working at 7 o'clock and 12
o'clock. You need to be at least half an hour before at the station.
You can pay your ticket at the bus. When you arrive in Batabano
change your reservation receipt in a ticket. Afterwards you have
to confirm the ticket, with this you receive your seat.
Reviews and tips about Isla de la Juventud
Send us your review about Isla Juventud
Name: Georgi Tachev
Country: Bulgaria
Isla de la Juventud
Many years ago I was working in Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud. We were number 25 students just completed their university education that I went to work as teachers in different subjects. Many thanks to the Radio quickly became popular in the Caribbean Nueva Hero Brigade named Georgi Dimitrov. We were a wonderful impression of our stay in Isla de la Juventud. I have a great desire to come back and see all my friends. If anyone remembers me I will leave my email for correspondence: tachev88@abv.bg
Name: Tony Sköld
Country: Sweden
I am confused, I thought that I´ve allready met the friendliest people I ´ve ever encountered in the mainland Cuba, but the people in Isla Juventud was (is) fantastic! Friendly, nice, open minded, and generous! I will be back as soon as I have the finance that will allow it, you can belive it! Thank You all for 6 wonderful weeks on Your island! I had the opportunity to see "Los Van Van" at the time I was there, now there is a band! Me and my family will allways remember this as the best of times! Once again, thank you so much, and may "ORULA" be with you all!
Tony Sköld, Malmö, Sweden.
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