Page 172 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

170  CUBA REGION B Y REGION

Exploring the Península de Zapata

The Península de Zapata is synonymous with unspoiled
nature and luxuriant tropical vegetation. It is a place where
visitors can walk among lianas, mangroves and swamp plants,
lie in a hammock in the shade of palm trees, observe birds
with multicoloured plumage, go fishing, or row a boat on
the Laguna del Tesoro. The tranquil Gran Parque Natural de
Montemar attracts lovers of wildlife and untouched habitats, Statue of Manguanay by the Cuban
rather than adventure seekers. In any case, there is nothing sculptress Rita Longa, Guamá
to be feared from the wildlife – there are no ferocious beasts Also of interest is the
or poisonous snakes on the peninsula.
reconstructed Taíno village of
Aldea Taína, which occupies
another of the islands in the
Boca de Guamá The huts are supported on lagoon. It comprises four earth
Arriving from the north, after stilts and are connected to bohíos (typical Indian huts),
passing through Jagüey Grande, one another by hanging a caney (a larger round building),
which has the largest citrus bridges or by canoe. In fact, and 25 life-size statues of natives
groves in Cuba, and Central the only way to reach this by the well-known Cuban
Australia (see p169), the former tourist village is by boat, sculptress Rita Longa. The figures
headquarters of the Cuban which takes about 20 minutes form the Batey Aborigen, or
Armed Forces, you reach Boca to travel along the luxuriantly native Indian square, and
de Guamá. Here a picturesque fringed canal to the lagoon represent the few people who
ranchón, a kind of rustic hut, from Boca de Guamá. lived in the village: a young girl
converted into a restaurant, This unusual resort also named Dayamí; a crocodile
indicates that you are near includes a restaurant, a bar, hunter, Abey; Cajimo, hunter of
the Criadero de Cocodrilos, and a small museum, Muestras jutías (a type of rodent, see p150);
or crocodile breeding farm. Aborígenes, which has on Manguanay, the mother who is
Visitors can watch and display some finds dating back preparing casabe (cassava) for
photograph the crocodiles. to the Taíno civilization, her family; Yaima, a little girl who
Founded in 1962 to safe - discovered in the Laguna is playing; and the key figure,
guard 16 endangered species del Tesoro area. Guamá, the heroic Taíno warrior.
of reptile, this is the largest
crocodile farm in Cuba and
includes about 4,000 animals
kept in separate pools according
to size, age and species.
O Criadero de Cocodrilos
Tel (45) 915 666. Open 8am–7pm
daily. & 0 =

Guamá
This unusual holiday village in
the Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure
Lake), measuring 16 sq km (6 sq
miles), is named after Guamá, a
Taíno warrior who resisted the
Spanish conquistadors until
he was killed in 1533.
The village consists of 18
huts standing on several small
islands in the lagoon. Built of
royal palm wood and thatched
with palm leaves, the huts
provide simple accommodation.
However, they are equipped
with modern amenities,
including air conditioning.
Make sure you take adequate
supplies of mosquito repellent
if you plan to stay here. One of the 18 thatched huts in the Laguna del Tesoro
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp259–60 and pp273–4

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