Page 173 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

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Playa Larga
At the end of the Bay of Pigs is
one of the better beaches along
this part of Caribbean coastline,
where thick vegetation usually
grows down as far as the shore.
The coral reef offshore offers
magnificent dive sites. Playa
Larga’s resort area is a popular
destination with Cubans; the
diving, fishing and birdwatching
attract international tourists.
Near the car park, a
monument commemorates
the landing of the anti-Castro
troops in 1961, while along Cueva de los Peces (see p169), near Playa Larga, ideal for diving
the road to Playa Girón there
are numerous monuments Playa Girón beach reads: “Here North
honouring the Cuban defenders This beach was named in the American imperialism suffered
who died in the famous three- 1600s after a French pirate, its first major defeat”.
day battle. Gilberto Girón, who found Situated on the eastern
Northeast of Playa Larga is refuge here. It became famous side of the Bay of Pigs, this is
an ornithological reserve, and three centuries later, when it was the last sandy beach in the
the Centro Internacional de the site of the ill-fated, American- area, ideal for fishing and diving
Aves (International Bird Centre) backed landing in 1961. A large and also equipped with good
of Cuba. sign at the entrance to the tourist facilities.
A must is a visit to the small
Museo Girón, which covers
the anti-Castro invasion using
photos, documents, weapons,
a tank and the wreckage of
aeroplanes that took part in the
last battle, as well as films taken
during the invasion.
E Museo Girón
Playa Girón, Península de Zapata.
Tel (45) 984 122. Open 9am–5pm
Playa Girón, the easternmost sandy beach in the Bay of Pigs daily. & 8 (with charge).

The Bay of Pigs Invasion
The long, narrow Bay of Pigs (Bahía de Cochinos) Fidel Castro himself, who were well prepared
became known throughout the world in 1961. for the battle and had the support of the local
On 14 April of that year, at the height of the population. The fighting lasted just three days and
Cold War, a group of 1,400 Cuban exiles, trained ended in the rapid defeat of the invaders. In order
by the CIA with the approval of the president to avoid an international crisis, which could have
of the United States, John F Kennedy, left escalated into an extremely serious situation,
Nicaragua for Cuba on six ships. The next day, given the Soviet Union’s support of Cuba, the US
six US B-26 aeroplanes suddenly withdrew its
attacked the island’s aerial support, leaving
three military air the invading forces at the
bases, their bombs mercy of Cuban troops.
killing 7 people and The abandoned
wounding 53. invaders, many of whom
On 16 April the were mercenaries, were
group of counter- taken prisoner and
revolutionaries landed immediately tried. After
on the main beaches 20 months in prison, they
along the bay, Playa were allowed to return
Larga and Playa Girón. to the US in exchange for
However, they were supplies of medicine,
confronted by the Cuban foodstuffs and equipment
armed forces, headed by The hostages released by Cuba on their return to the US for Cuban hospitals.

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