Thingkin of Eastern Cuba for Vacation Destination

• Author: admin
• Filed under: City Life, Activities & Adventures
• Date: Dec 20,2007

Santiago de Cuba, located between the Caribbean Sea and the Sierra Maestra mountain range, is the Eastern capital and home of the Cuban Son, which is the father of all Cuban rhythms of this century. It is the capital of the Santiago de Cuba Province in the eastern region of the island and the country’s second largest metropolis. This city, rich in culture, tradition, and also in natural and architectural treasures, provides travelers with amazing experiences in their Cuba vacations. From hill-walking and mountaineering to historical and cultural tours, Santiago de Cuba is a destination that will not disappoint you.

For those who love nature and who enjoy mountain-climbing and hill-walking activities, Santiago de Cuba offers several points of interest like: the Sierra Maestra mountain range and Baconao Biosphere Reserve, where La Gran Piedra (The Great Stone) stands out.

The rugged topography of the Sierra Maestra, with elevations of up to 1,300 m above sea level, is unique in the island and famous for its landscapes of breathtaking beauty and unbelievable variety. Among these elevations are the three highest peaks of Cuba: the Pico Real del Turquino with 1,974 m, the Pico Cuba with 1,872 m and the Pico Suecia with 1,734 m above sea level. This scenery gives the visitor the feeling of being at the top of the island, and you can literally touch the clouds in the sky. It is an exclusive place where one can get the best view of the rivers, forests, mountains and valleys that surround the region. It’s also considered as one of the most important well-preserved areas in Cuba, due to the great diversity of its flora and fauna. I highly recommend bringing your camera along to take some pictures of endemic flowers and animals of the zone. Bird watching is also a popular activity in this area.

Moreover the Sierra Maestra is an emblematic site where decisive moments of the Cuban Revolution took place. In an intricate zone of this territory explorers can find the Comandancia de la Plata, the First Front of the Rebel Army, a place with historical value.

If you are traveling with the whole family, Baconao Park will be an excellent choice in your itinerary. Located in the Sierra Maestra, the Baconao Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve List in 1987, including three well defined biogeographic zones: the “Meseta de Santiago”, the “Sierra de la Gran Piedra” and the “Meseta Santa Maria de Loreto”. It incorporates beaches, mountains, lakes, forests and ruins of French coffee plantations. Visitors can appreciate a high biodiversity in flora and fauna, being a wonderful experience for nature lovers. Moreover, there is an International Diving Center and the Land Transport Museum, which exhibits over 2,000 miniature vehicles along with an exposition of vintage cars. Also, one can enjoy a visit to the Aquarium where dolphins and seals put an excellent show for both children and adults, exhibiting their abilities.

One of the main attractions of this zone is La Gran Piedra (The Great Stone), a majestic and magnificent rock formation. This enormous rock of volcanic origin is on the top of a mountain at 1,125 meters. Due to its gorgeous sceneries, this place constitutes a natural viewpoint. It is said that in the clear nights the lights of Jamaica can be seen from there. It’s also considered one of the largest rocks in the world.

Have children? Take them to the Prehistory Valley, an amazing collection of reproductions of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals made of stone in almost their natural size. These fantastic creatures are disseminated on a wide valley surrounded by mountains, in the same places where the legendary animals should have lived. This valley is a great venue for photography. Kids will love it!

On the other hand, Santiago de Cuba is an artistic and cultural centre of great prominence in the history of Cuba. Visitors have the chance to enjoy historical tours in the midst of marvelous natural landscapes. Characterized by a solid historical background and cultural traditions, this city offers a wonderful display of historic sites such as the Cathedral, the first one in Cuba (1522) and the Casagranda Hotel which can be found in the city centre: by the C