Holguin province opens to the world as a unique tourist destination in the wealthy northeastern region of Cuba, enrooted in its origin, surrounded by its history and culture, full of mythical and genuine traditions.

Holguín province opens to the world as a unique tourist destination in the wealthy northeastern region of Cuba, enrooted in its origin, surrounded by its history and culture, full of mythical and genuine traditions. Admiral Christopher Columbus arrived to its coast by Bariay Key over 500 years ago. Admired by its landscape, after a long journey from the European Port of Palos de Moguer stated that this was the most beautiful land ever seen by human eyes. Since then its inhabitants, Cuba and the Antilles, recall this phrase as the most recognized praise given to natives of the Caribbean region. A long path of merges, encounters and fights were lived by the aboriginal population and Spaniards, then African as well as people from other latitudesThis is the essence of sweat and happiness between Spain and the Caribbean, Holgumn is also an extension of all this, a province located just some 700 km away from Havana, inhabited for over a million people. Holguín is made up by 14 main towns: Banes, the archeological capital of Cuba, Mayarm and Moa, centers of rich mineral and laterite deposits of nickel and chrome and Gibara, described as the White Village, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, perhaps with the best conserved Iberic colonial architecture of Cuba. There are more towns, some along the port and close to the bay as that of Nipe, the largest bag-shaped bay of the world, in the hinterlands, the best sugar cane grows for the sugar industry to serve 10 sugar mills, each one with a diverse community made up by hardworking people who love culture and tradition, active and full of expectations at the face of the raise of a driving international tourism. The populous Holguín city, attractive and changing, where the best charm can be found in the people. To know its habits and speak in a relaxing atmosphere with its citizens is to enjoy the well-known hospitality of the Cuban people. The city is characterized by a milange of Spanish architecture and rustic dwellings in peripheric areas of the city which stick to what is traditional and also chalet-type houses, influenced by North-American style, but exhibiting a culture mainly enrooted in the Ibero-American tradition. The Fiesta of the Ibero-American Culture is another good moment‑in the life of the people from Holgumn. This is an event that takes place every year and artists, writers, poets and thinkers meet together to exchange views during a week to share the same feelings and to revive common roots. If you want to see Holguín from another perspective, go up to the summit of la Loma de la Cruz (Cross Hills), a grand staircase with 258 step and landings. When some reach the highest point, they consider themselves the master of the panorama and feel like announcing: "This city below in entirely mine!" The echo will repeat the cry and for some instants the city will be yours. Then you can go to see Cuba, Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Bayamo, Baracoa, Trinidad, Cienfuegos and many beaches, mountains, keys, in fact, a paradise in the earth for a life time.

THE KING OF DOUBLE MEANING Faustino Oramas Osorio, El Guayabero, he was 87 just last June 4, still bewitch people with his mischievous songs. The king of double meaning in his birthday may have considered that another year of life worths the effort. Like old minstrels, he traveled with his tres or Creole guitar along the Cuban rural areas in his early youth, then he settled down in the Rincsn del Guayabero, always acting before a large audience and is still active in music. The Guayabero, a Cuban trova singer as well as sonero, is well received wherever he appears and many are the requested numbers to be sung with his group.

THE QUEEN OF ATLANTIC In this part of the Cuban archipelago, Guardalavaca beach is the queen of the Atlantic Ocean. Nothing compares to this beach. Crystal-clear and turquoise waters, light and white sand, invites to walk barefooted, with some shades provided by the coast flora which is extended all over the area, endless sun and breeze. The naturalistic character of tourism in Holgumn attracts some 800,000 tourists-days every year, it is foreseen than at the beginning of the 21th century this figure will be largely tripled. Neurys Barzaga Laffite, the regional tourist manager, has stated that the raise in the number of accomodations. The new facilities under construction that will be in use for next winter 1998-99 are Delta Las Brisas Bungalows Villa in Guardalavaca beach, and the Rmo de Oro Hotel, first 5-star hotel built in Holgumn, ready to be used in Esmeralda beach, at a five-minute distance between the two beaches. Yaguajay Hills are located at the opposite site, along which several archeological rings are extended, these sites together account for the third part of the settlements of the oldest inhabitants of the Cuban island found so far, at the foot the Chorro de Maita National Park is located. A museum shows the life of the Cuban ancestors at Chorro de Maita, its architecture is made out of nature, near this site, there is an area devoted to the funeral burials of the primitive community which lived there some 10,000 years before. A road separates this area from a taino village of the Araucan culture which will be inaugurated soon. Following the main route of the beach, you can arrive at Banes,a quiet town of courteous citizens, its Indo-Cuban Bani museum.

MAYARM, A MONUMENT OF NATURE Another long and paved route takes you to the closest mountains of Mayarm, a part of the mountainous range of Maniabsn, with ecotouristic hills and walking trails, along the sea, where Saetia Key with its secluded beaches is found. Pinares de Mayarm can also be a monument of nature linked through the mountains with Santiago de Cuba and its exuberant geography. To stop at Pinares worths the effort to admire one of the protected areas of Cuba, located in a plateau of over an altitude of 700 m, 90 km away from the southern part of Guardalavaca. A scientific station has been built for the comprehensive research of the mountains, where over a hundred endemic species live. From Pinares de Mayarm Hotel, you can walk up the Mensura Hill, of almost 100 m height, to admire a view of tall mountains and walk along botanical trails. At the entrance of Nipe and Levisa bays, on the northeast is Saetia Key with wide plains where antelopes, wild bulls, she-goats, wild boars, long-legged birds as the qandz, deers of white tails and other peculiar animals can be found. Hunting of these species is forbidden. In every spot, there are places available to drink and eat, rest on the shade, or outdoors or in comfortable rooms, overlooking human settlements, ports, bays, sea landscapes, in summary, natural beauty is abundantly offered.

CHORRO DE MAITA TO THE CUBAN PAST Form Yaguajay Hills, the sight can master a wide strip of the Atlantic Sea, precisely near that very place some 500 years ago, the old inhabitants of this area witnessed the cross of three "big birds" sailing along the Cuban coasts. They ignored that some hours before, close to Bariay Key, an event had taken place, which will change their lives completely. It was the first contact of the indigenous population with the European civilization. Those fantastic birds were Christopher Columbus4 famous vessels, which caused consternation and uncertainty when the native community overlooked them from the natural balcony. Then ordinary life continued and even the children played "batey," i.e. baseball, the present Cuban national sport.