Baracoa in Guantanamo province Cuba

The remote and quiet town of Baracoa (Tierra de las Aguas aboriginal) is located on the north coast of the Guantánamo province, 88 miles from Santiago de Cuba. The city curves around the wide Honey Bay, which is lined with beautiful sandy beaches. It is here that Christopher Columbus landed in 1492 and is the first settlement of Cuba and the original capital of the country. Like Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa has a French influence, which is due to settlers from Haiti. This sleepy town has interesting architecture, including houses dating back to the 19th century, Fuerte Matachin which is now a local history museum, and Fuerte La Punta which is now a restaurant. The parish church of Baracoa (Cathedral of Our Assumption) houses the Cruz de Parra, the only cross that remains of the 29 that Columbus erected on land during his voyages. Surrounded by lush forests, citrus groves, coconut palms, and rivers, Baracoa has a distinctive tropical vibe. The hotels around the city are very simple and provide an excellent base for exploring the beautiful colonial city and the surrounding mountains. The Baracoa skyline is dominated by the Yunque de Baracoa Mountain (Baracoa Yunque) which rises to 1765 feet above sea level.

There is only one road into town that offers stunning views across the countryside to the Atlantic as it descends from the mountains in a series of hairpin bends.

A few kilometers west of Baracoa is the white sand beach of Playa Maguana, which is protected by a coral reef. This quiet beach is located in a small cove where you will also find a restaurant and a bar in the middle of the lush vegetation. Also to the west is Playa Nibujon, which is used mainly by the local population and although there are no tourist facilities here, the beach is ideal for sunbathing and swimming during your family vacation in Cuba.

Things to do and places to visit in and around Baracoa include:

Alejandro Von Humboldt National Park

The park straddles the provinces of Guantánamo and Holguín and is one of the best-preserved mountain ecosystems in the Caribbean. Stroll among the native Antillean and Cuban flora and fauna to savor the best of Cuban nature.

El Yunque Mountain

Climb the mysterious El Yunque, Baracoa’s flat-topped mountain.

Piedras de Yateras Zoo

Here you will find around 400 sculptures of humans and wild animals that have been carved into the rocks by local artist Angel Iñigo, who taught himself to sculpt.

duaba farm

Here you can see how cacao is turned into chocolate and then enjoy a tasty Cuban lunch.

the cactus garden

Located along the Guantánamo-Baracoa highway in the semi-arid region, this huge garden is home to more than 2,000 cacti.

But I

Located at the easternmost tip of Cuba, here you will see incredible marine terraces that are among the largest in the world.

Malone’s Lookout

For panoramic views of the Guantánamo Naval Base at the mouth of Guantánamo Bay.

Toa River

Experience rafting in a cayuco along the widest river in Cuba that runs from the mountains and through the jungle before ending near Baracoa. Other great rivers to explore on your last flights to Cuba are the Miel and the Yumuri.