"With all my appreciation," writes the dedication of the book with which I was presented with by Alejandro Hartman, social researcher of history, archeology and cultural topics, Director of Matachín Museum, the friend that knows Baracoa better, its beautiful city or Cuban paradise as he prefers to name this corner of Cuba.

First Village, Capital and Archbishopric of Cuba, Founded on August 15, 1511

There are two options to get to know Baracoa: La Farola Viaduct or the Holguín-Sagua-Moa inter-mountains road. This is Baracoa, surprise after surprise, as Taco Bay, a protected area and ideal shelter for the manatee or national fish, in danger of extinction. Naturalists and fishermen take care of this specie at Alejandro de Humbolt National Park and of others also in danger of extinction. The first city of Cuba, the capital of the island until 1515 and its Archbishopric. It is a site that preserves the legend of the Santa Cruz de Parra (Holy Cross of Vine) left there by Columbus, the entrance of the Bronze Titan (Antonio Maceo, a celebrated fighter for the independence of Cuba from Spain) by Duaba Beach to free the homeland and a shelter of French émigrés that still preserve the names and surnames of their ancestors. From that moment on, the city suffered a decadence of more than two centuries. The sort of snake-shaped road that is La Farola viaduct left behind pessimism for being the first work finished, destroying old fatalism.

Matachín Fortress Alejandro Hartman, Director of Matachín Museum or Maldito Castle is the man that dedicates an important part of his time to attend visitors. Matachín served as a bastion against pirates, a garrison against Spanish soldiers, shelter of homeless families whichat present is the City Museum. Other old fortresses prevail in the city as the remains of the El Paraíso Fort, La Punta Fortress with a restaurant bearing the same name and Seboruco Castle, now a hotel with all its mysteries and charm.

Santa Cruz de la Parra In Our Lady of Asunción de Baracoa Parochial Church is kept what remains of Santa Cruz de la Parra or Columbus’ Cross, a almost half a millenium of being placed there by the Admiral. It is made by the Uvilla tree, a local plant, and not made of some material from Europe as it was thought before being subjected to the coal test. Of the two meters that used to measure the cross, only 58 cm is left.

Walking along Malecón until La Punta It is pleasant to go around the area of Malecón (Sea Front) toward La Punta, a site of celebrations as Carnival; from one edge to the other, typical food as bread with pork, corn fritters, tamale and beer are sold in little kiosks. In the evening, this avenue is much frequented. Along the streets that lead to the center, the music takes us to Yara House, belonging to the Cultural Assets Fund, and see there one of the most interesting samples of artistic crafts. The Gallery of Art is found on this street that groups four generations of creators that work the landscapes, the primitive art, costumes and sculptures as essences of the aboriginal culture.

Other Natural Wonders of Baracoa Paso de los Alemanes (Germans’ Passage) is a reference point on the way leading to Punta de Maisí and to the level of Loma de la Boruga, Yumurí River offers its best panorama which mighty and imposing leads to the sea. Maguana Beach is another temptation to come back to Baracoa. The city’s tourism development is there projected. Miel, Duaba and Toa rivers, Alto del Pino tibaracones, the Yunque, or the Monitongos of Hatibonico, they all are spectacular spots found in the area.

At the entrance of the caribbean. Baracoa and its hospitalito

Near the Caribbean, very close to Windward Passage is Baracoa, on the eastern tip of Cuba, gentle and hospitable with visitors. Still this city by the sea, has not lost the essence of its very old costumes, despite modern times. This spirit is still latent in the facilities dealing with tourism accommodation. Some of the examples are El Castillo and Porto Santo hotels, Managua Villa and Campestre Restaurant, Duaba Farm of Gaviota S.A. tourism group.

El Castillo Hotel Located in an old Spanish fortress at the heights of Seboruco Hills with a central tower that today is a lookout to see the city and the bay at your feet. Guests enjoy there a 3-star facility with 34 rooms equipped with air conditioning, private bath with cold and hot water, satellite TV, international phone service, two bars, one snack bar, barbecue, motor rental, medical consultation, store, parking lot, tourism bureau and pool with an area for kids. A cozy atmosphere is experimented in all the places. The best food tasted in Baracoa is served at Duaba Restaurant of this hotel.

PORTO SANTO HOTEL With 36 rooms and 24 cabanas, Porto Santo Hotel is another door that invites to enjoy some good vacations at Baracoa. It has a pool and a bar from where one can enjoy the sea landscape of the bay, air conditioning, bathrooom with cold and hot water, two bars, barbecue, restaurant, 2 stores, motor rental, taxi, parking lot, tourism bureau and the pampering treatment of its employees which is one of the best asset. By the pool bar, guests may have a taste of Creole coffee at peasant’s style, after seeing the whole elaboration process, thus including roast and the husking on a pounding mortar. It has a small and intimate beach near the hotel, very close to the area where Christopher Columbus arrived in its first trip to Baracoa and the very spot where he placed the Cross of the Grape, one of the 29 placed by the Admiral in his historic tour by the Americas. The milieu surrounding this place is very cozy, of great privacy and functionality in spacious and comfortable cabanas.

MAGUANA VILLA This accommodation is an ideal place to get into full contact with nature and the beach with the same name. There are interior and outdoors restaurants to please guests’ preferences. From its wide corridors, the sight covers the whole Caribbean Sea. Managua Villa is in Baracoa the ideal place for couples or persons that need intimacy as honeymooners or kids who require wide spaces in rooms, lounges and other facilities. It has 4 air-conditioned rooms with private bath of cold and hot water, satellite TV, minibar, barbecue and the abovementioned lounge and restaurant, bar and taxi to go to the city.

DUABA FARM The rural Cuban environment is possible to live it in this countryside restaurant, surrounded by coffee plantations, cocoa,and birds. In relation to the menu, the most typical one is that of Creole food as ajiaco, smoked pork, pork roast on a stick, in a true Creole and country environment. Recreation is performed by the guitars, decimas and peasant songs, quite a different experience from everyday life in the city.