1 Make a Visit to Giron Beach
Playa Giron is both the name of the beach and the town located on the eastern bank of the Bahia de Cochinos, or Bay of Pigs. The sandy beach is named for Gilbert Giron, a French pirate who was killed by locals in the 1600s. It was the scene of the infamous Bay of Pigs invasion launched by the United States CIA, and many billboards there make sure this history is not forgotten. Snorkeling is a popular pastime here.
2 Join the Crowds at Fidel Castro’s Tomb
Fidel Castro was buried in a private ceremony at Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, but since his death in 2016, the site has drawn thousands of visitors – between 2,000 and 4,000 each day. The design of the tomb is meant to resemble a corn kernel and consists of a single boulder with a small plaque that reads “Fidel.” The inspiration for the design is taken from a poem by Jose Marti “All the glory of the world fits in a single kernel of corn.” Many indigenous peoples in Meso-America regarded corn as sacred. The boulder comes from the revolutionary stronghold of Castro and the rebels in the Sierra Maestra. This mountain range was an important setting of the Cuban Revolution and can be seen from the tomb.
3 Revel in the Sands of Guardalavaca Beach
The name means “hide the cow” and stems from the fact that Spanish settlers in the 16th and 17th centuries used the area to hide their livestock from pirates. This white-sand beach stretches several kilometers between a coral reef and lush tropical vegetation. It is located between steep cliffs that face the Atlantic Ocean. A favorite with locals and visitors alike, there are three major resorts located here, plus several restaurants and numerous activities to keep everyone busy. There are shops, karaoke and disco clubs, sailing facilities, a diving school, horseback riding, and vehicle rentals offering autos, bicycles and motorcycles. Divers can see a variety of coral beds and many fish, including peacock fish, Spanish mackerel, barracuda, and swordfish.
4 See the Seaside Town of Gibara
The town offers the ambiance of the Spanish Mediterranean. It was once the chief port on the northeast coast of Cuba and remains an important fishing center. It features colonial houses with red tile roofs, arches and stained-glass windows. The ruins of Fort Bateria de Fernando VII are located here. The fort once stood guard for the slave and sugar traders. Also in the town are the Museums of Colonial Art and Natural Science. Just a short distance away in Bariay, it is possible to see where Christopher Columbus first landed on Cuban shores in 1492.
5 See the Beautiful Bahia Naranjo
This bay is home to a natural aquarium where dolphins and seals put on shows for visitors, who can also swim with dolphins if they desire. The area comprises almost 1,000 acres of land with lush vegetation, mangrove trees, marshes and tropical forests. The bay is surrounded by beaches, mountains, and diving sites. There are several eco-tourist trails, along with yacht rides and even golf courses.
