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.

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.

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.

Highway Guide

Beaches

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion
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

Museo Municipal de Baracoa
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

Cueva El Potrerillo No. 2
Monumento
Baracoa

Carnival
The first week of April
Baracoa 

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.

For more info about Miguel