Tourist destinations in Cuba: Baracoa, Cuba's first city

Having been the first town founded by the Spanish conquistadors in Cuba, in the early year of 1512, Baracoa is known as the First City of Cuba.

Baracoa is an attractive city located in the easternmost province of the country, Guantánamo, bordering Santiago de Cuba.

Baracoa offers tourists the chance to enjoy one of the most attractive and best-preserved natural settings in the Antilles.

Baracoa is the main tourist destination in the eastern part of the country. Founded more than 500 years ago, this city proudly displays an impressive array of mountains, landscapes, rivers, virgin forests, and endemic flora and fauna that will amaze all those who appreciate the essence of nature. Due to its numerous and undeniable natural attractions, Baracoa is an excellent option for nature tourism.

Some of the main attractions Baracoa offers for lovers of city tourism, nature tourism, and sun and beach tourism are:

The Baracoa seawall: It is the most used public space in the city due to its privileged position within the town. Parties, festivals, fairs, and all of Baracoa's cultural and popular celebrations traditionally take place on its seafront. Therefore, Baracoa's seafront is the ideal place to meet its inhabitants, who, although Cuban, pride themselves on being from Baracoa. Their way of speaking, of expressing themselves, their food, and their way of relating to the sea make them unique and tireless defenders of their own cultural values, which you won't find elsewhere in Cuba. An exceptional place for city tourism.

The Anvil of Baracoa: Visible from any point, this flat plateau is approximately 575 meters high and is part of the Biosphere Reserve CucToa Hills. Designated a National Monument in 1980, this site boasts extraordinary natural beauty and a high degree of endemism. It offers the opportunity to observe birds, mammals, mollusks, butterflies, and many other animals, some of which are endemic to Cuba and can only be found in El Yunque de Baracoa. A wonderful option for nature tourism lovers.

Maguana Beach: Just a few kilometers from the city of Baracoa, Maguana Beach is distinguished by its coral reef and white sand. Almost pristine and boasting shallow waters, Maguana Beach is an ideal spot for contemplative snorkeling, rest, and relaxation. Lovers of sun and beach tourism will find everything they're looking for and could possibly want here.

Some of the best hotels in Baracoa, whose tourist offerings you should consider:

Hotel El Castillo: Located in a former Spanish fortress, it serves as a lookout point with views of the bay, the city, the Miel River, and the Yunque de Baracoa, the city's symbol. It is just 2 km from Baracoa Airport.

Hotel Villa Maguana: Small and intimate, on the seashore and close to the mountains. Located 20 km from the city of Baracoa, on the road to Moa, this is a completely private, secluded, quiet, and peaceful hotel.