The natural wealth of the largest Antillean Island, which boasts pristine sites characterized by their exuberant nature, is one of the country's most attractive options for thousands of travelers who visit the Cuban archipelago every year.
Valleys of unique beauty such as Viñales, in western Cuba, the Sierra Maestra mountain range, which features the Island's highest mountains, and white-sanded beaches like Varadero make up he list of unique destinations, which also includes the Zapata Peninsula.
Located in the western province of Matanzas, the Zapata Peninsula is one of the largest swamps in the Caribbean, covering an area of 5,000 square kilometers of forests, marshes, and crystal-clear lagoons and canals.
Its exuberant flora, with over 900 species of autochthonous plants, 115 of which are endemic of Cuba, is complemented by its rich fauna, made up of 160 species of birds and 12 of mammals, amphibians and reptiles, including crocodiles.
However, the Zapata Peninsula is also a stronghold for tourism in Cuba, where travelers can enjoy programs that link the most varied offers for leisure in the modalities of nature, ecological and adventure tourism.
The Playa Girón hotel, which stands out in the region's lodging infrastructure, offers vacation packages based on the "All Inclusive" system, providing domestic food and beverages.
Moreover, it provides recreational options and non-motorized water sports such as sailing, surfing, aquatic bicycles, boats, kayaks, and catamaran excursions.
The Zapata Peninsula holds the Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure Lagoon), a four-meter-deep natural reservoir of fresh water covering 900 hectares and inhabited by golden trout, which is highly coveted by fishing aficionados.
In the middle of Laguna del Tesoro stands the Guamá Villa, a reproduction of a Taino village, with cabins built on pillars.
Boca de la Laguna del Tesoro (the mouth of Treasure Lagoon) is a must for vacationers who visit the area, where several restaurants, including two serving crocodile meat, provide an excellent gastronomic offer.
Ecotourism lovers can walk along the paths of La Salina and Santo Tomás, which are highly demanded by travelers interested in watching birds, including both migratory and endemic species.
Cuba's typical cuisine, including its seafood variant, is the specialty of Caleta Buena, an area often visited by corsairs and pirates centuries ago and characterized by crystal-clear waters and many species of fish.
Another must is the Fiesta Campesina farm, which is famous among visitors for its Cuban-style coffee, served in a clay "jícara" (a small container that is typical of Cuba's countryside) with a piece of sugarcane.
For all this, the Zapata Peninsula is more than a mere natural refuge, because it offers its treasures to vacationers who bet on enjoying their leisure time in Cuba's many destinations.