Page 198 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

196  CUBA REGION B Y REGION

As with Varadero (see pp166–7),
bicycles can be hired and make
a pleasant way of getting
around the Ancón peninsula.
Opposite the peninsula,
across the bay, is the old port
of Casilda, 6 km (4 miles) from
Trinidad, where in 1519 Hernán
Cortés recruited the troops that
went on to conquer Mexico.
Once a prosperous port thanks
to the sugar trade, Casilda
has long since declined, and
is now above all a place that
people visit on the way to the
La Boca beach, shaded by royal poinciana trees local beaches.
3 Península Ancón part of the peninsula, there
are comfortable hotels, a 4 Valle de los
Road Map C3. Ingenios
splendid beach and a diving
About 10 km (6 miles) south school. From the beach by Road Map C3. @ @ Excursions:
of Trinidad is one of the first Hotel Ancón, assorted boat from Trinidad. n at railway station,
coastal areas in Cuba to be excursions are available to take (41) 993 348; Cubatur, Calle Antonio
developed for tourism, the divers and snorkellers out on Maceo, esq. Francisco J Zerquera,
peninsula of Ancón, where the coral reef. (41) 996 314.
foreign visitors have been For some fascinating dive sites,
coming since 1980. The fine divers should take an excursion Leaving Trinidad and heading
white sand and turquoise to Cayo Blanco, 8 km (5 miles) northeast, along the road to
water (not as clear here as off the coast. At the western tip Sancti Spíritus, one can
along the north coast, though) of this small coral island with appreciate the beauty of
make this promontory a small white sand beaches, is the the fertile plain, with the
tourist resort, with a handful of largest black coral reef in green hills of the Sierra del
hotels, bars, restaurants and Cuba, where divers can Escambray forming a
watersports facilities. This area choose from a number backdrop. Only 12 km
is visited by visitors and locals of different dive sites. (7 miles) separate
alike. Cubans head mainly for On the rocky coasts Trinidad from the
La Boca, 6 km (4 miles) from near María Aguilar, The bell on the Iznaga Valle de los Ingenios,
Trinidad, near the neck of the on the other hand, bell tower whose name derives
peninsula, especially on warm there are pools where from the sugar mills
Sundays and in summer. swimmers only need a mask (ingenios, see pp46–7) built
At Playa Ancón, 5 km (3 miles) to easily spot a great variety here in the early 19th century.
of white sand in the southern of tropical fish. Today, fields of sugar cane form

Valle de los Ingenios, from the Mirador de la Loma: green swathes of sugar cane at the foot of the Sierra
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp261–2 and pp274–5

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