Holguín, one province of Cuba, is one of the most singular tourism destinations of a historic impact since Admiral Christopher Columbus joined the cultures of the Old and the New World.

FIVE hundred years have elapsed and it is only then when the new millenium has just begun that this area has been internationally known. The visitor today find a different panorama with a population of over one million inhabitants in 14 main cities among them Banes, Moa, Mayarí, Antilla, Gibara and Holguín, important sites for tourism purposes. Large coastal areas, valleys and the people are some of the motivations that have integrally turned it into a mosaic of possibilities. Holguín has developed health tourism and in the modality of events and incentives where also paths are open to the leadership of Sol Meliá Group.

Holguín’s Beaches and Its Beautiful Coral Reefs The international spas of Guardalavaca, Pesquero, Esmeralda and other smaller beaches, define Holguín as one if the most comprehensive tourism destinations since the programs there developed comprise a vast range of opportunities: days of sun and beaches, amusing nights in their night clubs, city rides and drives along routes and ecological trails. Holguín province is located in the northern part of the eastern region between Las Tunas and Guantánamo, on the West and the East, respectively. Along the Natural Park of St. Christopher Columbus, in a coastal stretch that has points of interest as the Bariay and Naranjo bays. The surroundings also include Naranjo Cay with performances where the sea animals are the stars.Very close is the International Marina at Puerto de Vita which operates yachts and catamarans. Guardalavaca is located at less than an hour from Frank País International Airport at Holguín eastern province and within its conches of blue waters are a splendid coral reef with diving spots as Boca de las Esponjas, El Salto or El Cañón de los Aguajíes, among the most popular.

Nature Tourism: Big Attractions Other natural interesting attractions are the natural park named Bahía de Naranjo and Cuchilla de Toa mountainous range along with Alexander von Humboldt Park, one of the four biosphere reserves declared by UNESCO in the Cuban archipelago. Pinares de Mayarí, a monument of mother nature with a special microclimate belongs to Maniabón mountainous range. Cayo Saetía, is a cay located at the northeastern area, an ideal place for horse riding and drives on the safaris jeeps around the plains. Cerro de Yaguajay is like a natural balcony, its panoramic view reaches the beach stretch of Playa Guardalavaca between palm trees and coconut groves. At the bottom of the hill is Chorro de Maíta.

The Pulse of this Region Is Taken in the Streets, the People and Each Corner Places not-to-be missed in this region are Holguín, the provincial capital, also known as the City of the Parks; Gibara, an old commercial and fishing port; the traditional village of Banes, described as the Pre-Columbian archeological capital of Cuba, they all are sites worthy of being visited in this region, rich in traditions and cultural roots. Cultural events of popular participation are held as Romerías de Mayo, every year at the beginning of this fifth month of the year, other celebrations are Carnival (August) and the Ibero-American Culture Party (October). The visitor eager to know persons and costumes, different from his, will need to gain the confidence of the people of these lands first to later enjoy the human warm and the sincerity that characterized Holguín locals, which are in summary the qualities also found in any Cuban.