Page 288 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

286  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Fishing
Fishing enthusiasts will be
in their element in Cuba.
The northwestern coast is
marvellous for deep-sea fishing,
where the catch might include
swordfish, tuna or mackerel,
while fish such as tarpon and
bonefish can be caught off the
southern coast.
Fishing is provided by marinas
and holiday villages. Holidays
tailor-made for fishermen are
organized by Marlin Náutica
and Cubanacán. Hikers on a path near Topes de Collantes
The Marina Hemingway, (see p195)
along the north coast west
of Havana (see p141), is the Hiking, Birdwatching and
Other Excursions
venue for the annual Ernest
Enjoying the sea on a catamaran hired from Hemingway International Trekking on horseback is
a tourist marina Billfishing Tournament, a another way to see the Cuban
competition reserved for landscape. In Havana the only
Sailing and Motorboats expert marlin fishermen held horse riding centre is in Parque
Thanks to its position at for five days in late May or Lenin (see p120), but hotels in
the entrance to the Gulf of early June (see p39). The original the main resorts, eco-tourist
Mexico, Cuba makes an ideal rules were established by the centres and camping sites can
stopping-off point for yachts author, who had a passion for provide horses as well as
and sailing boats. The tourist deep-sea fishing. organized excursions. Both
marinas, many of which belong experienced and inexper ienced
to the Marlin Náutica chain, Tennis and Golf riders are catered for.
provide a series of facilities The Península de Zapata
and services, including motor- Almost all the holiday villages (see pp168–71) is a particularly
boats and catamarans for hire and large hotel complexes good area for birders, as the
and yacht excursions. have tennis courts. Non- marsh land is a haven for
Most sailing is done around residents usually make use hundreds of different bird
the Archipiélago de los of them by paying a fee. species. Further east around
Canarreos, south of the main- The island also has two Baracoa are the biosphere
land. The best season for sailing good golf courses: the nine- reserve of El Yunque and the
is from December to April, hole Club de Golf Habana Parque Nacional Alejandro de
because the climate is mild, and the 18-hole Club de Golf Humboldt (see pp248–9), both
the winds are not too strong de Varadero. home to rare species.
and storms are infre quent. The sport is increasingly There are also plenty of
However, Cuba is surrounded popular and there are plans opportunities for exploring
by generally tranquil waters, to lay out even more golf caves in Cuba. Sites include
and there are plenty of bays courses in the main tourist the Cuevas de Bellamar near
if shelter is needed. resorts in the near future. Matanzas (see p164), the
Cavernos de Panadernos in
Gibara (see p218) and the Gran
Caverna de Santo Tomás in Valle
de Viñales (see p146). Always
join a tour or expedition, or go
with a knowledgable guide.
Keep in mind also that hikers
must be accompanied by an
official guide around Viñales,
Topes de Collantes and Sierra
Maestra (from Alto de Naranjo
to Las Cuevas).
For information on nature
tours and programmes, contact
Gaviota Tours and Ecotur; the
latter organization oversees the
upkeep and improvement of
Varadero’s golf course, close to the sea the trails.

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