Home
Directory
Destinations
Maps
Reports
Bookings
Español Español
  You are from:  Estados Unidos de America(select your country)
        My account   
Search
Questions?
+1 (833) 685-0373
Toll-Free

Bookings
Lodging
Cars
Flights
Envíos de Paquetería a Cuba
Directory
Accommodation
Top list
Attractions
Where to shop
Embassies
General information
Marinas
Where to dine
Health
Transportation
Nightlife
TOOLS
Distancies calculator
Travelers' Tips


We accept
We accept VISA and MasterCard credit cards.

Weekly report on Cuba's tourism industry
Search in DTCNews 
  ReportsAttractions |  Services |  Destinations |  Culture |  Health |  General
  NewsTourism |  Business |  Health |  Sports |  Culture
Baracoa: Five Centuries of History in Cuba

Baracoa, the first village founded by the Spanish conquistadors in Cuba, is one of the most historic places in the country, due to its close link to the development of national society since its foundation to date.

The village's 500th anniversary certifies the importance of the city, which was originally called Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa by Conqueror Diego Velázquez, and was Cuba's first capital and the first archbishopric.

In addition to its rich history, Baracoa is characterized by hospitable people and breathtaking natural beauty, as it is surrounded by mountains, rivers and exuberant vegetation.

The very name of the village, Baracoa, comes from an aboriginal word that means "presence of sea", an allusion to the marine environment surrounding the city, in contrast to the mountains and rivers.

The natural landscape is complemented by a 575-meter-tall flat-top mountain known as Yunque de Baracoa (Baracoa's Anvil), due to its resemblance of the tool used by ironsmiths.

Several rivers run through the region, including the Toa, which is Cuba's biggest river and has several waterfalls, including El Saltadero, which is 17 meters tall.

Yunque de Baracoa (Baracoa`s Anvil)
Baracoa Mountains.
City of Baracoa

Access to the city is an adventure, as it consists of a very peculiar road winding around the mountain and called La Farola. The road has 11 hanging bridges and the highest point is Altos de Cotilla, which is more than 600 meters above sea level.

Visitors to Baracoa are surrounded by an atmosphere that is reminiscent of the Spanish colonial period, including the famous Cruz de la Parra, made with local timber by the Spaniards during their first voyage to the Americas and blessed by Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas.

Spanish colonization left its imprint on the village's houses, many of which were built of rock, like the colonial fortresses El Castillo and La Punta, and the towers of Joa and the Cemetery.

Travelers to Baracoa also enjoy the local cuisine, which is very peculiar and based on plants, including dishes such as Bacán (a sort of plantain tamale), ajiaco (a typical stew) and fish cooked in coconut milk.

Those who love desserts can enjoy the cucuruchos, which are cones made of royal palm leaves and containing coconut and pineapple, and the famous chocolate, made from cocoa harvested in the region.

Visitors can stay at the Hotel La Rusa, a small 12-room establishment that offers a quiet and cozy atmosphere. The hotel is located by the sea and offers a breathtaking view of the blue ocean.

RELATED SERVICES
Attractions  Accommodation  Where to dine  Nightlife  
ATTRACTIONS
Alto Pino Combat
Historic Sites

Guantánamo
Antigua Villa de la Asunción de Baracoa
Urban Historic Centers

Ciudad de Baracoa

Guantánamo
Dark Cave
Monuments

Carretera de Baracoa a Maisí

Guantánamo
First Malecon (Seafront) of the Caribbean
Places of Interest

Baracoa

Guantánamo
Fort La Punta
Places of Interest

Ave. de los Mártires y Calixto García

Guantánamo
La Farola Viaduct
Places of Interest

Cajobabo-Baracoa

Guantánamo
Matachín Fortress
Places of Interest

Calle Martí s/n

Guantánamo
Municipal Museum of Baracoa
Museums

Fuerte Matachín

Guantánamo
Parish Church Our Lady of the Assumption of Baracoa
Churches-Places of Cult

Calle Maceo s/n e/ Ciro Frías y Frank País

Guantánamo
St. Barbara Seboruco Castle
Places of Interest

Calle Calixto García, Reparto Paraíso

Guantánamo
The Yunque (Anvil) of Baracoa
Monuments

Baracoa

Guantánamo
Town Hall
Places of Interest

Calle Maceo No. 137 e/ Frank País y Pelayo Cuervo

Guantánamo
ACCOMMODATION All services
El Castillo
City

Calle Calixto García, Reparto Paraíso

Guantánamo
La Rusa
City

Calle Máximo Gómez No. 161

Guantánamo
WHERE TO DINE All services
Duaba
Cuban cuisine

Hotel El Castillo

Guantánamo
Finca Duaba
Cuban cuisine

Carretera Mabujabo km. 2, Vía Moa

Guantánamo
La Parrillada
Light Meals

Hotel El Castillo

Guantánamo
La Santa María
Cuban cuisine

Hotel Porto Santo

Guantánamo
Maguana
Cuban cuisine

Villa Maguana

Guantánamo
Ranchón Bahía
Light Meals

Hotel Porto Santo

Guantánamo
Vista al Mar
Cuban cuisine

Hotel La Rusa

Guantánamo
NIGHTLIFE All services
Duaba
Bar

Hotel El Castillo

Guantánamo
La Santa María
Bar

Hotel Porto Santo

Guantánamo
Magdalena
Bar

Hotel La Rusa

Guantánamo
Maguana
Bar

Villa Maguana

Guantánamo
Home | Directory | Destinations | Reports | Flights | Lodging | Cars
About us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
(c) 1997-2024 Vacacionar Travel, SA. All rights reserved.