Ciego de Avila is one of Cuba’s most outstanding provinces, some 461 km away from Havana in eastern Cuba. Ciego de Avila’s Máximo Gómez International Airport takes in daily flights from Europe, Mexico, Canada and Argentina (phone: (5333) 3- 2525). From here, the keys can be reached down a 17-Km-long slab road, sort of a highway built on the sea hooking up Cuba’s mainland with Cayo Coco, the nearest of all keys.

WHERE TO GO Ciego de Avila: around Independence Avenue: TEATRO PRINCIPAL (Principal Theater), the Júcaro-Morón Gauge, The Provincial Museum is located on 25 José Antonio Echeverría Street e/ Independencia and Libertad. The FONDO CUBANO DE BIENES CULTURALES (Cuban Cultural Assets Fund) in 79 D Street e/ Narciso López and Abraham Delgado. FLORENCIA attractions feature horseback rides. The FINCA OASIS (Oasis Estate) is just 20 Km away from eastern Ciego de Avila down the Central Road. The city of Morón, close to the keys, treasures such major artistic heritage as CASA DE LA TROVA (The Troubadour’s House) or the SAN CARLOS THEATER. Inside the city’s boundaries the LAGUNA DE LA LECHE (The Milky Lake). The Reina Archipelago,this is an excellent spot for scuba diving beginners.Undoubtedly, one of the province’s most beautiful places is JARDINES DEL REY, Cuba’s largest archipelago. On Cayo Coco, PARADOR DE LA SILLA, or SITIO LA GÜIRA. El Peñón Natural Park and the LA DUNA DE LA LOMA DEL PUERTO rank as two other wonderful places. Cayo Guillermo for trawling fishermen. Pilar Beach and CAYO MEDIA LUNA put this key on the map.

DONDE DORMIR / WHERE TO SLEEP Ciego de Avila, CIEGO DE AVILA HOTEL (Ctra. De Ceballos, km 2,5: phone: (5333) 2-8013/2- 8440). SANTIAGO HABANA HOTEL (Honorato Del Castillo Y Ctra. Central. Phone: (53 33 2-5703) In Morón, MORON HOTEL (avda. Tarafa s/n; phone: (53- 335) 3076/ 3901/04). On Cayo Coco, MELIÁ CAYO COCO HOTEL (phone: (5333) 301280). SOL CLUB CAYO COCO (phone: (53 33 30 1180) TRYP CAYO COCO HOTEL. phone: (53 33) 301311. On Cayo Guillermo: SOL CLUB CAYO GUILLERMO (53 33 30 1760), MELIA CAYO GUILLERMO (53 33 301760) IBEROSTAR DAIQUIRI (53 33 301645), VILLA COJIMAR (53 33 301712)

WHERE TO EAT In Ciego de Avila, SOLARIS Restaurant (C/ Honorato del Castillo e/ Independencia y Libertad; phone: (5333) 22156) offers international cuisine. Likewise, there’s a chance of tasting Cuban cuisine. COLONIAL Restaurant (C/ Independencia 110; phone: (5333) 23595). Specialty in Spanish gourmet. Right at the entrance of Morón City, the traveler can find the SAN FERNANDO Restaurant with international-cuisine dishes. La Vicaria Restaurant is down Carretera Central.

HOW TO GET ON THE MOVE Cuban travel agencies TRANSAUTOS (phone: (030) 8194) and VERACUBA (phone: (030) 8194 and (53 33) 308143 / 308197. HAVANAUTOS. phone: 30- 131371 and 301371 Micar: Calle Libertad, Ciego de Avila: phone: (53 33) 266157. Ave. Tarafa, Morón, phone: (53 33) 266881. Cubataxi: Ave. Tarafa, Morón. phone: (53 335)3290

NIGHTLIFE On Cayo Coco a visit to the CUEVA DEL JABALÍ. On Cayo Guillermo, the DISCOTECA ISLA CALIENTE. In Ciego de Avila, the roadside ESTEBAN LOPEZ Cabaret is located. It’s provided with a couple of restaurants.