Location: Baracoa
Top Things to do in Baracoa
10 Things to Do in Baracoa That You Shouldn't Miss
Baracoa is a municipality and city in Guantánamo Province near the eastern tip of Cuba. It was visited by Admiral Christopher Columbus on November 27, 1492, and then founded by the first governor of Cuba, the Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar on August 15, 1511. It is the oldest Spanish settlement in Cuba and was its first capital (the basis for its nickname Ciudad Primada, "First City").
Restaurants in Baracoa
1. El Yunque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By VillaParadisoBCA
The flat top mount El Yunque (The Anvil) is a captivating sight from afar in the Baracoa region – and it offers a very enjoyable hike to the top through beautiful endemic flora.
The guided 4-hour, medium difficulty experience includes wading through the crystal-clear waters of the Duaba River, walking through a cocoa plantation and surrounded by a range of plant and tree species, including tree ferns and different types of palm trees.
Sightings of unique local animal species include the tocororo (Cuban trogon, Cuba's blue+red+white-feathered national bird); the green chipojo lizard; the tiniest frog on earth at barely 9.8 mm, and the brightly colourful, Baracoa-endemic polymita snails.
Mid-way up, a small wooden cabin waits at a lookout point, offering a variety of seasonal fruit – all you can eat for 1 CUC.
From the top of the mountain, at 570 m above sea level, you can see the town of Baracoa, as well as both the Baracoa and Miel Bays, and rivers Duaba and Toa's tibaracones (sand banks where the rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean).
At the top you will also see the Coccothrinax Yunquensis, a palmtree endemic not to the region, but exclusively to mount El Yunque.
On the way down you can bathe in the Duaba River and enjoy a traditional countryside meal at a peasant family's place for a few CUC.
You can combine the hike to El Yunque's top with a splash at the pristine pool by the Duaba Waterfalls (La Cascada). The guided hike to top of the mountain costs 13 CUC, and going to La Cascada costs 8 CUC. You can do them both on one day or each one on a different day. Remember that both El Yunque and La Cascada are within a protected natural area. You pay such fares at the information point at the entrance of the Campismo Popular.
If you are in good physical shape, you can bicycle from Baracoa to the Campismo Popular. It's about 4 km on the road going NW from Baracoa then 5 km west on a dirt road to the Campismo Popular. There are washrooms at the Campismo Popular.
Recommendations: bring water to drink. Wear good hiking shoes. There may be some slippery stretches (the hike is best done on a day when it didn't rain the previous day). Get to the Campismo Popular entrance early in the morning, to avoid hiking in the stronger heat later around noon or in the afternoon.
2. Maguana Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
Reviewed By brandonvj
lots of folks trying to sell you things. We stopped at the blue house on the left just on the other side of the restaurant to the left of the entrance road and ended up hanging out with the super friendly people there and shucking peas with them while waiting for one person in our party. They were just so friendly. Swimming was nice - we snorkeled. If you do, go to the far end of the beach for that - more to see.
3. Casa de la Trova
Overall Ratings
4 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By VillaParadisoBCA
Have you ever experienced Nengón and Kiribá? In town, this is the place to get acquainted with such ancient Baracoan rhythms, enjoy a mojito – and dance! On good nights the audience and dancers spill out of the little venue to the cobblestoned pedestrian street – all easygoing and unpretentious. Lots of fun!
4. Museo Arqueologico la Cueva Del Paraiso
Overall Ratings
4 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By inclinekiwi - Incline Village, Nevada
This was a very interesting insight into the pre-Columbian culture of this area. One needs to climb up a fairly steep staircase, but the view at the top is worth it. It's a small museum but the caves are well done with carefully thought out exhibits. The tour guide loves his job and it shows. The walk down to the road was pleasant with a little look at local life.
Overall Ratings
4 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By Decoamie - Washington, DC
This is worth a stop for a rest or contemplation. It is in the center of town so you can't miss it. Stop by and relax for a while.
6. Parque Independencia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By marygold2015 - New South Wales, Australia
A great place to sit and watch and absorb the colours, smells sounds of everyday life in Baracoa. The trees provide a gentle respite from the hot sun and we sat there for hours, wandering off to discover new sights and always returning to enjoy the shade and the passing parade.
7. Playa Blanca
Overall Ratings
4 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By sharkytravels - airlie beach
When we were in Baracoa, they were in the middle of what was described to me a Yearly Storm. When we finally got a good day we headed out to the beach. Be warned, the adventure getting there is maybe better than the beach. You walk along the Baracoa black sand beach, get in a row boat to the other side of the river, walk a further KM or so down the beach where you come to a swing bridge and then plank still walkway over the water. While we were here they were repairing it after the storm, so we got into another row boat who dropped us at the shore. Walking through the small village we come to the national parks guy who tells us we cant swim at the beach because the waves are too strong. We ended up paying 5CUC each to be taken up to the Mirador, down through farm land and into a fresh water cave, stopped off at a farm and got some coconut oil and then ended up at the beach. They were right, you definitely could not swim, but my friend got a full body massage for 4CUC. From picture I had seen of Playa Blanca, it is pretty but small and for playing in the water I would suggest testing out the black sand Beaches of the main town.
8. Museo Municipal del Fuerte Matachin
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By KBofLB - Littleborough, United Kingdom
Being the first Spanish settlement on the island it is inevitable that this defensive bastion was an early construction. It concentrates on those early days more than most other museums in Cuba do. It is well worth a pleasant walk from the town centre via the seashore to get there. Once there, there are also fine coastal views.
9. Casa del Chocolate
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By Irene W
We spent the day on a havana tour and finished our day in this lovely place.
There was a shop where we could buy the famous Baracoa chocolate and the chocolate with ice cream was divine to us - it was so hot outside.
Staff were helpful and lovely to talk to.
10. Baracoa Bike Rental
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
The business is involved in the rental of quality bicycles to tourists in the area of Baracoa, Cuba. Baracoa is world class destination for nature tourism and there is a good network of roads and trails in the area. The business intends to meet the demand for quality bicycles to enable tourists to explore the area.
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