Matanzas, a province of the western region of Cuba, is regarded among the most important provinces of the island for its development and population density, 96 kms separates Matanzas from Havana City. This province has two large tourism regions: Varadero and Zapata Peninsula. Matanzas has an international airport and a solid and varied hotel infrastructure. The economy is based on tourism and sugar agriculture and industry.

GETTING THERE The traveler who arrives to Cuba through Havana may easily go to Matanzas by Vía Blanca Road (96 km). Thirty-two kilometers separate Matanzas City from Varadero. Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport is 20 km away from Varadero downtown. Zapata Peninsula is also accessible by several roads.

GETTING AROUND By bus or taxis, or motorcycle, jeep or car rental. At the Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport you may contact several rental services. In Varadero MICAR rental car service. Tel.:61-1808. HAVANAUTOS. Tel.: 61-3433; TRANSGAVIOTA. Tel.: 61-9761; CUBACAR. Tel.: 61-1819; TAXI OK. Tel.: 61-1616: RENT A CAR. Tel.: 61-4866; TRANSTUR. Tel.: 61-3377. Both rental agencies and the taxis in general offer their service in the whole hotel network of Varadero and Zapata Peninsula.

WHERE TO GO The major attraction of Varadero is its beach, fit for the practice of water sports. To carry out these activities, the visitor should go to Barracuda (a diving center); Cubanacán Náutica (Marina Chapelín) Tel.: 667093; Jolly Roger, Tel.: 66-7565 and Jungle Tour, Tel.: 66-8440 to 41; Marina Puerto Sol Dársena. Tel.: 66-8063. In the same territory of Varadero, Punta Hicacos Ecological Reserve offers tours to caves, lagoons and other natural wonders. At Varadero’s Municipal Museum, Calle 57 No. 1 e/ Playa y 1ra Ave, you will get acquainted with the history of this peninsula. Other attractions are: the International Parachuting Center; the Varadero Golf Club, Tel.: 66-8482; the Dolphin Aquarium. Carretera Las Morlas km 13 and Josone Park. Ave. 1ra y Calle 56. In Cárdenas, Flag City, located at just 13 km away from Varadero, you may visit Oscar María de Rojas Museum. Calzada No. 4. José A. Echeverría Museum. The house where the student leader was born. Calle Jenes No. 560; Arechavala Factory, the cradle of the famous Havana Club Rum. The city of Matanzas, located at 35 km away from Varadero, offers the visitor many cultural attractions as the Pharmaceutical Museum, the only one of that kind in the world. Milanés No. 4951; Sauto Theater (National Monument). Magdalena e/ Milanés y Medio; Palacio de Junco Provincial Museum. Milanés entre Jovellanos y Ayllón; Yumurí Valley, Bellamar Caves, Río Canímar Park, Vía Blanca km 5, Tel.: 25-3189 and very close El Morrillo Memorial Museum. Zapata Peninsula, on the south of the province with its wetlands, is one of major tourism centers of Cuba, especially for the practice of nature tourism. Especially important are Salinas de Brito and La Boca, the largest crocodile farm of Latin America is found in the latter, Guamá, a typical Taino Village, a charming place, accessible through the Laguna del Tesoro. Shelters of the international fauna can be watched at La Salina and Santo Tomás, the latter is regarded the largest endemic area on Earth. In the northernmost region of Bay of Pigs is Playa Larga and Playa Girón. A typical farm named Fiesta Campesina is located on Autopista Nacional km 142, in Jagüey Grande. This area is supported by a superb hotel, gastronomy and transportation network so that tourists may enjoy a comfortable stay.

NIGHTLIFE The unforgettable Caribbean nights can be enjoyed in this province with a vast network of bars, cabarets and discotheques. In Varadero: Continental (cabaret), Tel.: 66-7038; Cueva del Pirata, Tel.: 61-3829; discotheques as Kastillito Club, Tel.: 61-3888; La Bamba, Tel.: 66-7560; La Patana, Tel.: 66-7791; Palacio de la Rumba (cabaret) Tel.: 66-8210; Mambo Club (cabaret), Tel.: 66-8243 and Habana Café (cabaret), Tel.: 66-8070. In Matanzas: Canimao (cabaret), Tel.: 61-1014; Ruinas del Marasiete (bar), Tel.: 29-1987. In Zapata Peninsula. La Cotorra (bar). Tel.: 99-5589; Pío Cuá (bar and discoteque). Tel.: 3343 and El Café (bar). Tel.: 2425.

SHOPPING A wide and assorted display of national crafts, souvenirs, Cuban and Caribbean music and the classic Cuban rum and cigars, among other articles of interest, can be found at hotels, villas and in the network of stores of each area.

Stories Preserved by Matanzas

The Names Matanzas is probably one of the Cuban cities that has received more nicknames or epithets, among them: Athens of Cuba, Corinth of the Americas, City of the Bridges, City of the Rivers, Venice of the Americas, Gentile Yucayo, Yumurí City. Yumurí. The Valle del Yumurí, the beautiful Matanzas valley, preserves many stories and legends, but the most common of them all is the one by which it was named. According to the story, an aboriginal man screamed while he was falling from the top of a cliff. "Yo morí" (YumuríæI died), but, by the way, did he speak Spanish? Stair Streets Matanzas has a sort of hidden stair streets since its urban development could not sort out the high areas. These streets have different shapes and length, but the longest of them all and the most pleasant on the way up is that of Jesús María that ends at Watking Park. It has 137 steps intermingled with 11 landings and lateral curbs with small bridges preserving the sidewalk. In the center, separated by the landings, a strip of garden adds a special charm to the site.