Page 35 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

Baracoa ❮❮ 33

Punta Maisí
8 POLYMITAS
Accessed via a
paved mountain road, The polymita genus
this most easterly point of snail, endemic to
of the island of Cuba is the Baracoa region,
marked by a lighthouse, is remark able for its
built in 1862. On a clear multi-colored shell
day, it is possible to see with a whorled pattern.
Haiti from here. Each snail has a unique
pattern and color. With
a dwindling population,
the polymita is now
endangered. You are
advised not to buy any
shells offered for sale.

NEED TO KNOW
MAP R5
Fuerte Matachín: Calle
Martí • (21) 64 2122 •
8am–noon, 2–6pm
Mon–Sat, 8am–noon
Sun. Adm: CUC$1
Catedral de Nuestra
Señora de la Asunción:
Plaza Independe ncia
• (21) 64 3352 •
8–11am, 4–7pm Mon–
Fri, 8–11am, 5–9pm Sat,
8am–noon Sun
Museo Arqueológico:
8am–5pm daily. Adm:
CUC$3; cameras CUC$1
• If you are curious to
see the endangered
rodent-like jutía and
insect-eating almique,
head to the Parque
Zoológico, which lies
4 miles (6 km) east of
the town.
• The color ful El Poeta
is a great place to try
local food, served in an
unusual style (see p117).
AVE DE LOS MALECÓN
MÁRTIRES
Playa Duaba
Atlantic 0
7 9 beach west of Baracoa
Ocean El Yunque Hiking This black-sand
JOSÉ MAR TÍ
Guided hikes into
An anvil-shaped
CALIXTO GARCÍA
ANTONIO MAC EO
mountain formation the rainforests to the features a monument
CÉSPEDES MALECÓN (above), El Yunque rises south of town lead into to General Antonio
Maceo, who landed here
the moun tains. Birders
above lush rainforests
FLOR CROMBET
that provide an ideal still hope to spot the in 1895 and fought the
ABEL DÍAZ MONCADA habitat for rare species ivory-billed wood pecker, first battle of the War
JOSÉ MARTÍ
RODNEY COUTIN
CALIXTO GARCÍA
of flora and fauna.
of Independence.
threatened by extinction.
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