HOLGUIN PROVINCE
The Holguin province is a land of marked and intriguing contrasts that has earned a special place in the national and foreign tourists for its natural beauty and history loose. In its vast territory, which represents 8.6% of the total area of the country, converge all the landscape types that characterize Cuba: wide plains, towering mountains and shores of picturesque beaches full. Such diversity of ecosystems gives the nature holguinera variety and exuberance unprecedented in Cuban geography, not in vain
Columbus distinguished himself as the most beautiful land ever before to arrive at its shores in 1492.
For the conservation of this heritage, the local government has allocated substantial efforts and resources, promoting especially demarcation of protected areas. Among these natural reservoirs of pristine beauty stands the
La Mensura National Park, consisting of
5,300 hectares of unique vegetation.
Paradoxically, Holguín is one of the most industrialized areas of the island and its huge annual production contributes about 20% of national income.
The northern coast of Holguin, with the tropical charm of its beautiful beaches, is the main attraction of this wonderful region. Its uniqueness, in consideration of other banks in the Cuban archipelago, lies in the magical combination of colors that form its stretches of white sand and green surrounding vegetation: a real compliment to the visual memory of tourists. In addition, its marine platform has excellent conditions for snorkeling and diving, covered by one of the largest nautical country's infrastructure activities.
Guardalavaca beach,
considered the third tourist pole of Cuba, is best known for its natural spas. Beyond the undisputed spell of warm waters, visitors to this exotic tourist square thank its numerous sites speleological and archaeoogical interest.
One of the intrinsic qualities of this province is the strained relationship of historical times premium in socio-cultural panorama. The aboriginal legacy as one of these major forces, has distinctly conditional on the Holguin people, leaving a damning mark on gastronomy and folklore.
The main cause of this deep-rooted is the
late indocuban disappearance of the community in the area, which, according to some historians, dates back to well into the sixteenth century.
This presence is tangible in the vast archaeological wealth of the region, the highest concentration reported in Banes, with over 100 registered sites.
Evidence of discovery, colonization and overwhelming process of acculturation suffered by the indigenous population are exposed in the
Baní Hindu-Cuban Museum and Chorro de Maita, the two most important museums of this subject throughout Cuba. The enormous tourist potential derived from this, and other aforementioned features make Holguin one of the most unique spaces of Cuban.
Guardalavaca
Playa Guardalavaca,
located 54 km northeast of Holguin, is one of the most picturesque and frequented Caribbean resorts.
The Genoese admiral Christopher Columbus, who landed nearby, caught like no other the idyllic landscape of this coast to label it as "The most beautiful land ever seen before".Its rich tourism potential, with the exotic combination of speleological sites, archaeological and natural interest, has positioned itself as the third tourist destination in Cuba, just behind Havana and Varadero. The intense blue warm waters, always calm and natural shelter, led by monumental coral reefs, have earned him the admiration of the most demanding international tourism.
Their distinctive feature compared to other beaches of the island territory is the lush vegetation near their sandbar all.
200 m of this is an extensive reef, with over 32 certified sites for dive, enchants lovers of this practice with its beautiful coral formations and the tremendous biodiversity of the marine environment.
Within the infrastructure created for such purposes excels Eagle Ray Marlin Dive Center, efficient center that organizes numerous excursions and underwater activities.
Guardalavaca, the hotel industry has achieved great development, and at present more than 4000 rooms and indisputable quality prestigious comfort.Gibara
Gibara or
"La Villa Blanca" (The White Village) as many call it, is a small town northwest of Holguin, which holds one of the most remarkable historical centers of the nineteenth century Cuban. The landscape exuberance of its bay and misty silhouettes of the surrounding elevations offer one of the most beautiful urban spectacles of the country.
In the colonial era characterized by a maritime accelerated development and the continued harassment of pirates, the Spanish built in the vicinity of a string of forts that still accompany the passerby.
Its historical center has a unique urban morphology that in the exotic mix of architectural styles, testifies to the cosmopolitan spirit of its inhabitants. It is not uncommon to find a house, answering neoclassical compositional codes, this trefoil arches of Moorish influence and curved balconies typical art nouveau.
Each April, the city hosts the International Festival of Poor Cinema, one of the most prestigious film events and followed by Latin America. Prominent artists of national and international quote on it to showcase a cinema, with a low budget, exhibits a high aesthetic value and unsurpassed quality.
Holguin city
Holguin city, the capital of the province since 1976, is one of the most frequented by domestic and foreign tourism urban destinations. Its historic center, identified by the rigorous conservation of its architectural heritage, seduces visitors with the incommensurability of his past.
The current colonial spirit balustraded in the large windows of their houses, topped by corrugated roofs homesick, gives a unique atmosphere to the streets. The most distinctive feature is its urban layout the extensive system of parks and squares that characterizes it, which has earned him the nickname
"City of Parks". Traditionally, city parks have been the main points of meeting holguinera citizenship, and in them the local identity is revealed expressively to the delight of tourists.
One of the main focuses of interest within the urban fabric of the city is, without doubt,
the Calixto Garcia Iniguez Park, built in 1719 as Arms Square, this gathers around the main cultural and commercial buildings of the city.
On the north side of the park is the
Periquera old Spanish colonial army barracks, closely linked to the historical vicissitudes of the area. This beautiful neoclassical building currently houses the Provincial Museum of History, which presents, in its many rooms, a valuable collection of pieces and documents that refer to the pre-Columbian and colonial past in the region.
The best known of the local place is the
Loma de la Cruz, small hill north of the city, marked by unprecedented intriguing facts and legends. Now in its summit, 2
61m above sea level, you can enjoy one of the most spectacular views of Holguin.
Each May, the city hosts one of the most colorful and lively festivals throughout Cuba:
Pilgrimages. Combining tradition and modernity, between indigenous foods and hypnotic rhythms, this event brings together the most representative of the national culture.
PILGRIMAGE OF MAY IN HOLGUIN
Cayo Saetia (Key Saetia)
120 km southeast of Havana, between the Bay of Nipe and the Atlantic Ocean there’s located Saetía Key, one of the most unique places of the Cuban geography.
42 km2 of dense forests and open plains, plethoric of unique vegetation, make this small island one of the most beautiful landscape complexes in the country.
Being conceived as a
nature reserve, it has a remarkable flora and fauna biodiversity, including many species including endangered. More than
100 types of birds inhabit its forests, which makes it one of the most frequented by the ornithological community of Cuba destinations.
Will be not surprising if the visitor find
zebras and camelswandering around the place, because, being a hunting area during the decades of 70 and 80, was stocked with 19 different species of exotic animals.
One of its main attractions are the
12 small sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, with its stunning mix of colors, print a deep imprint on the emotional and photographic memory of vacationers.
In addition to this, the marine platform surrounding the fall, banks abundant in coral and tropical fish, is very favorable for underwater activities.
Pinares of Mayari
Pinares de Mayari, located in eastern Holguin province, is one of the most picturesque landscapes of the Cuban geography. Its abundant tropical vegetation and dense pine forests, refuge of a unique natural heritage makes it one of the busiest in the country ecological destinations. Both domestic and foreign are awestruck with its rich landscape, which presents a remarkable diversity of ecosystems.
"La Mensura" National Park, included in its vicinity, home to more than 100 species of endemic plants in its 5,300 hectares. The birdlife, despite intense migratory processes, is one of the most varied of Cuba, with more than 300 different species.
The main attraction of the area is the S
alto del Guayabo (Jump of Guayabo), a true natural wonder, considered the
largest waterfall in the country for its fall of
over 100 m.Another important site is the cave complex known as Farallones de Seboruco, due to its archaeological and speleological values. Scientific and cultural significance of the cliffs is because aboriginal pictographs in caves, representing the oldest art forms in the nation, according to experts.
Playa Blanca (Blanca Beach)
Playa Blanca, at the other end of the bay, is
the most visited by locals, because of its warm and calm blue waters.
This beach is sandwiched between two rocky headlands, the nearest part to the entrance was located a longtime faropara aid to navigation, which was later moved to the other end of the bay on a promontory called Punta Rasa. At the other end of the beach are the facilities Shipyard Alcides Pino de Gibara.
It is characterized by having a mean particle size sand to coarse very white, which gave rise to its name. It has a length of
105 m, with a width of 10 to 15. Its bottom is sandy and has a rapid descent which makes it a very deep beach, an issue that should be taken into account by bathers.
Playa Esmeralda (Emerald Beach)
The northern coast of Cuba is populated by numerous beaches of fine white sand;
Playa Esmeralda (Esmeralda Beach) is one of the most captivating. This small tropical paradise, just
900 m long, is located in the coastal strip of the estuary Ciego Caleticas,
just 5 km from Guardalavaca.Playa Esmeralda owes its name to the deep green waters that wash the sand, always warm and clear, no matter the season. While it is an ideal place for sunbathing, it is flanked by cliffs, steep slopes and numerous plant species that provide welcome shade when the heat becomes oppressive.
In addition, the hotel infrastructure provides the necessary equipment for other water activities such as windsurfing and sailing. One of the qualities of Playa Esmeralda most celebrated by tourists is its accessibility, since it is not only connected to the main roads of the area, but
is just 72 km from important Holguin International Airport.
Playa Pesquero (Pesquero beach)
Located in a haven of peace on the north coast of Cuba,
Playa Pesquero forms one of the most beautiful landscapes in the province of Holguin, and seems to epitomize the classic concept of sun, golden sands and blue and warm waters. Entire coastline that is located in Playa Pesquero is known for its particularly bright shades of blue and the warmth of its waters, as well as its seabed, suitable for snorkeling.
Playa Pesquero also allows direct contact and decontaminated with nature, because despite the huge tourist infrastructure that presents the region in its two natural reserves of importance within the province of Holguin are located: the
Bay of Naranjo National Park and Biopark Rocazul, which can access ecotourism enthusiasts. Another major activity is diving, made possible by the beauty of the seabed of the place. Playa Pesquero, finally, makes possible an incredible holiday in the Caribbean sun.
Playa Yuraguanal (Yuraguanal beach)
Just
53 km from Holguin,
Playa Yuraguanal is in an environment of abundant vegetation and natural colorful invariably praised by visitors to the site. The area includes the beach is surrounded by unique mountain elevations, giving it an attractive addition to your coastal landscape.
The charming
Yuraguanal beach has gone somewhat unnoticed by the most publicized Guardalavaca beach, polo most developed province for such purposes. Precisely for that reason, Yuraguanal Beach, with its
800 m extension, would be one of the less crowded the beautiful northern coast of Holguin province. Undoubtedly, the place has the irresistible charms of privacy and peaceful rest.
The fine white sand, warm waters of the Caribbean, a tropical blue tones never seen before and the unpolluted air of the Cuban countryside confer
Yuraguanal beach a truly remarkable tourist category within the scheme of the province of Holguin.