Page 106 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

104 ❯❯ Cuba Area by Area

Gran Parque Natural
6
Topes de Collantes
MAP H4 • Gaviota Topes de Collantes:
(42) 54 0117 • Gaviota Trinidad: (41)
99 6235
The steep drive to the northwest of
Trinidad is well rewarded at Topes de
Collantes, which functions as a base
for hikes to the El Nicho waterfall
and the colonial-era coffee estate
at Finca Codina, where caves and
Parque Nacional Jardines de la Reina a beautiful orchid garden can be
explored. Topes has some hotels in
Parque Nacional
4 its vicinity, plus a tourist information
Jardines de la Reina
center, and the Gaviota, which over-
MAP J4 • Avalon Dive Center; sees the complex, organizes tours
www.cubandivingcenters.com and guides, including excursions
Over 600 deserted isles scattered from nearby Trinidad.
off the Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey
Jardines del Rey
provinces form an oceanic Eden 7
protected by a long coral reef. Marine Off the north coast of Ciego
turtles lay their eggs on beaches, de Ávila and Camagüey, the Jardines
while iguanas laze in the sun and del Rey (King’s Gardens) archi pelago
flamingos wade in the shallows. comprises about 400 islands, mostly
Four cruise vessels and a floating unin habit ed. Cayo Coco, one of the
hotel cater to anglers and divers. largest isles, and neighboring Cayo
The Avalon Dive Center at Júcaro Guillermo have tourist hotels and
handles all visiting arrangements. watersports along their beaches.
The diving is superb here, and
Camagüey
5 flamingos flock to the inshore
lagoons (see pp24–5).
The plazas of Cuba’s third-
largest city are lined with colonial
Playa Ancón
and Neo-Classical buildings. The city’s 8
network of streets – designed to MAP H4
thwart pirates – can be confusing to The slender Península de Ancón
visitors. Sites include the Catedral, south of Trinidad is lined by a fine,
mu seums, and the Teatro Principal – white-sand beach (see p20) served
home to the Ballet de Camagüey. by three tourist hotels. With shallow
The best of the city’s nightlife can be waters good for swimming and
experienced at the Casa de la Trova
on Plaza Agramonte (see pp26–7). Camagüey’s colorful city center

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