Page 162 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

160  CUBA REGION B Y REGION

Exploring Central Cuba – West

This part of Cuba boasts some exceptional attractions:
the beaches of Varadero – perhaps the best and certainly
the most well-equipped in Cuba – and the swamp (ciénaga)
of Zapata, a nature reserve which is particularly good for
fishing and birdwatching. Cienfuegos, Matanzas and Santa
Clara are all appealing towns, the latter a must for those
interested in Che Guevara’s life. A good route for a tour
could begin with Matanzas and Varadero, before turning
south to Cienfuegos, perhaps via the Península de Zapata.
From there it is an easy ride to Santa Clara and beyond Aerial view of Cayo Libertad, off the coast
to Remedios. of Varadero
A t l a n t i c O c e a n Cayo Cruz
del Padre
Guanabo Santa Cruz VALLE DE VARADERO
del Norte
YUMURÍ
Bahía de Cayo Piedra del
Obispo
Havana Cárdenas A r c h i p i é l a g o d e S a b a n a
Bahía de
Tapaste Bainoa MATANZAS La Teja Baños de Santa Clara
Aguacate CÁRDENAS Hoyo Elguea
San Jose José Smith Colorado Cayos
de Las Lajas CUEVAS DE Comas Corralillo Dromedarios
Madruga BELLAMAR Coliseo Máximo Isabela
MAYABEQUE Cabezas Gómez de Sagua Cayos
Quintin
Güines Vegas Unión Jovellanos San José de Banderas Playa del Pajonal
Uvero
Los Ramos
Nueva Paz de Reyes Quemado Sagua
Alturas del Norte
Melena del Sur Cayo
de Güines la Grande Fragoso
Pedro La Isabel Colón Los VILLA CLARA
Playa del Betancourt Arabos El Santo
Playa Caimito Cascajal
Mayabeque Playa La Lanza MA T ANZAS Rodrigo Cifuentes
Rosario Playa
Tasajera Santo
Torríente Manacas Domingo Encrucijada Cayo Santa María
Ensenada Calimete
de la Broa Jagüey Grande Vueltas Caibarién
El Salado Jicotea
Australia Camajuaní REMEDIOS
Santo Amarillas
Maneadero Tomás Cartagena Lajas Bartolomé
Boca de Guamá Aguada de SANTA CLARA
Guamá Pasajeros Ciego Ranchuelo
El Maíz Montero Cruces Morón
Real Campiña Rodas Placetas
Playa Larga CIENFUGOS Potrerillo Guaracabulla General
Yaguaramas Carrillo
P E N Í N S U L A D E Z A P ATA
Palmira Báez
L l a n u r a C e n t r a l d e Z a p a t a
CIENFUEGOS
Bay Bermejas Manicaragua Sancti Spíritus
La Salina of
Pigs JARDÍN BOTÁNICO
La Forestal Jagua SOLEDAD Embalse
SIERRA DEL ESCAMBRAY
Playa Hanabanilla
Girón Playa Castillo El Nicho
Cayos Blancos Maceo de Jagua Playa Pico San Juan
del Sur Rancho 1156m
Luna
Getting Around Valle de
Yaguanabo
The provinces of Central Cuba – West are traversed Trinidad
by the Carretera Central; although the motorway
(Autopista Nacional) which links Havana and Santa
Clara is a much faster (though less scenic) road.
The railway line connecting Havana to Santiago
passes through Matanzas, Mayabeque and Santa
Clara, while another links Havana and Trinidad via
Cienfuegos. There are also daily return flights from
Havana to Cienfuegos and Santa Clara. For visitors
with limited time, it may be best to go on an
One of the bronze statues by Rita Longa in the organized tour. These typically cover a province
reconstruction of the Indian village at Guamá or a few cities, and include visits to parks.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp259–60 and pp273–4
160-161_EW_Cuba.indd 160 14/02/17 11:36 am