Suite Cuba

PROVINCE OF GUANTÁNAMO & BARACOA CITY

The province of Guantánamo occupies the eastern end of Cuba. The 80 km. wide Windward Passage separates the Cuba's east tip Cabo Maisí from Haiti. Guantánamo is considered to be the Cuba's hottest provinces.

The Guantánamo bay, located in the south coast of the province near the town of Caimanera, is occupied by the USA Navy from the beginning of the 20th century against the will of the Cuban people.

The city of Guantánamo, capital of the province, (1819) has a population of 210 000 inhabitants. This city has not many special attractions for foreign visitors.

BARACOA

Baracoa means ´elevated land´ in the language of the or Taino aborigines. Baracoa is the oldest city in Cuba and the second Spanish settlement in the New World after Santo Domingo in La Hispaniola. Baracoa was founded in 1511 by Diego Velázquez. The city served as capital until 1515 when Velázquez moved to Santiago de Cuba.

Baracoa was isolated by land from the rest of the island for 450 years until the 1960´s when the beautiful and twisty alpine-like road ´La Farola´ was founded. This jewel of the Cuban architecture was extends across the Sierra del Purial from Guantánamo city to Baracoa. The construction of La Farola has been very important for the development of this city which has today some 50 000 dwellers.

What to see in Baracoa

Malecón of Baracoa. First Oceanside drive in the Caribbean

Plaza Cacique Hatuey. In the central park of the city there is a bust of the Indian hero Hatuey who came from La Hispaniola to warm the Cuban Tainos about the cruelties that the Spaniards were committing in Santo Domingo. He led and Indian revolt and once captured burned alive at the stake.

In Front of Plaza Hatuey is the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (1833). Inside this cathedral is the Cruz de la Parra, the oldest European relic in the New World and said to have been erected by Columbus. (Maceo No. 152).

Fuerte Matachín (1802). This fortress houses the Museo Municipal which gives an interesting overview of Baracoa´s history.

Fuerte de la Punta (1803). Located right at the entrance of the harbour. There is a nice restaurant inside.

Hotel La Rusa (1953). Originally owned by Magdalena Rowenskaia, a member of Zar Nicolas the Second's family. She collaborated with the rebel army. Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and the Hollywood star Errol Flynn stayed here.