Cuba Eyewitness Travel Top 10

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 10 BEST OF EVERYTHING EYEWITNESS TRAVEL TOP 10 CUB A  $5$7,/ %$5$7,//2 %$ 5$7,/ &8$ 5 7 (/(6 5 7 ( & & +$&1 $& 2 0(5 3 52*5 (62 * 5 2 7 ( - $ ',//2 ',/ 2 7$&1 1 ( 0 3('5 $'2 $' 5(,/ /< < 2 6 $*8,$5 &8%$  $ 9 $ $ ( ' ( / 3 8 ( 5 7 2  9 ( & & & $ $ $ 5 5 5 / / / 2 2 2 6 6 6 0 0 0  ' ' ' ( ( ( & & &    6 6 6 3 3 3 ( ( ( ' ' ' ( ( ( 6 6 6 $= $ /$ =$ $ 3/ $=$ $ ($50$ $6 '( ' $6 ' ( / $ 6 0 , 6 , 2 1 ( 6  0 2 1 6 ( 5 5 $ = 8 / 8 3DODFLRGHOR F 3DODF RV FLR HORV &DSLWDQHV*HQHUDOHV * V HQH LWDQ HV*HQHUDOHV 0XVHRGHOD3 G VHRGHOD3 0XV 3 0XVHRGH$VLD RGH$VLD XVHR 7DEDFR 7DE 0XVHRGHO VHR 0 HRGHO7DEDFR GH RGH GH &DV VWL VWLOORG D U]D D O)X 5H HDO )XHU] P (O7 (O 7HP & DWHGUDOGH &DWHG UDOGH /D+ EDQD D +DE +DEDQ DED OD Q µQ D O O 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 1 1 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 py 10 10 1 00 1 0 0 2 8 / 12 / 0 7 K4 3 2:3 0 NT1- 3 1 44960 K202 K202 K000 K000 CUBA C C C C C C C C C U U U U U U U U U U U U U B B B B B B B B B B A A A A A A A A A A CHRISTOPHER P BAKER C H H R R I S S T T O O O O P P H H H E E R R P P B B A A A A K K E E R E Y Y Y Y E E E W W W W W W W IT I T T T N N N N N ESS E E S S S S S TRA T T R R A A A A V V V V A A A A E E L 10 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TO P T T T T T T T O O O O O O O O P P P P P P 000-001_TT_CUB_Title.indd 1 000-001 TT CUB Title.indd d d d dd dd dd dd dd dd d d 11 1 1 00 2 0 0 28 / 12 / 07 K 68 2:3 0 NT1- 3 1 44960 K202 K202 K000 K000 Co nt e nt s Coes Content s C uba’s To p 10 H abana Vieja, Havan a 8 T he Modern C it y , H a v a n a 10 Co r d ill e r a de G uaniguanico 12 Z apata Peninsula 14 Trini dad 16 Jardines del Re y 1 8 C ama g üe y 20 H o lg uí n 2 2 S antia g o de C uba 2 4 B araco a 26 M oments i n Hi story 30 Revolutionary Sites 32 M oments i n Fid e l Cast r o ’ s Lif e 3 4 M useums 36 S antería 38 W r i ters an d A rt i st s 4 0 C over: Front – Hemispheres I mage s : Herve Hughes bl; Pictures Colour Library : C live S awyer main. S pine – D K Image s : Heidi G rassley b. Back – 4Corners Image s : Ri pan i M ass i mo tr; D K Image s : Heidi G rassle y tc; H emispheres I ma g es: H erve H u gh es t l. T he information in this DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel G uide is checked re g ularly. E very effort has been made to ensure that this book is as up-to-date as possible at the time of g oing to press. Some details, however, such as telephone numbers, opening hours, prices, gallery hanging arrangements and travel information are liable to change. The publishers cannot acce p t res p onsibilit y for an y consequences arisin g from the use of this book, nor for a n y mater i a l on t hi r d p art y we b s i tes, an d cannot g uarantee t h at an y we b s i te a dd ress i n t hi s b ook will be a suitable source o f travel in f ormation. We value the views and su gg estions o f o ur readers ver y hi g hl y . Please write to: Publisher, DK E y ewitness Travel G uides, Dorlin g Kindersle y , 80 S trand, London W C 2R 0RL . Desi g n, Editorial, and P icture Research, b y Q uadrum Solutions , Krishnamai , 33B , Sir Pochkanwala Road , Worli , Mumbai , Indi a R eproduced by Colourscan, Singapor e P rinted and bound in C hina b y L eo P aper P ro d ucts L t d Fi rst A mer i can Edi t i on, 200 8 08 09 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Published in the United S tates b y D K Publishin g , Inc., 375 Hudson Street, N ew York , New York 10014 Copyri g ht 2008 © D or l in g K inders l ey Limited, Londo n A Pen g uin C ompan y All rights reserved under International and P an-American C opyright C onventions. No p art o f this publication may be reproduced, s tore d i n a retr i eva l s y stem, or transm i tte d in an y f orm or b y an y means, electronic, mec h an i ca l , ph otoco pyi n g , recor di n g , or o therwise, without p rior written p ermission of the co py ri g ht owner. Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited. A CIP catalogue record is available from t he British Library . I SSN 1479-344 X IS BN 978 0 7566 3933 4 Wi t hi n eac h T op 10 li st i n t hi s b oo k , no h ierarchy o f quality or popularity is implied. All 10 are, in the editor’s o p inion, o f rou g hl y e qua l mer i t . Floors are re f erred to throu g hout in a ccordance with British usa g e; ie the “first fl oor” is the floor above g round level. L e f t The shoreline at Guardalacava Ri g h t V iew of Cordillera De Guaniguanic o 2 1 003 0 0 2 8 / 12 / 0 7 K 68 2:3 0 NT1- 3 1 44960 K202 K202 K000 K000 Co te ts L e f t Salón de los Pasos Perdidos, Capitolio R igh t ‘ Grancar’ taxi in front of Hotel Nacional M usical Style s 42 C hildren’s Attraction s 44 N atu r e Tr a il s 46 Beac h R eso r ts 48 A n i ma l s an d Bi r d s 50 Festivals and Holida ys 52 Pl aces to M eet th e L oca ls 54 Cuba n Di s h es 56 Thi ngs to B u y 58 American Legacies 60 Around C uba H avan a 64 Weste rn Cuba 78 C entral C uba West 86 Ce n t r a l Cuba E ast 96 Th e F ar E as t 1 0 6 S tr ee tsmar t P lannin g Your Tr i p 1 1 6 G ettin g to C ub a 1 17 G etting Aroun d 11 8 Sou r ces o f Inf o rm at i on 1 1 9 B an ki n g an d Co mm u ni cat i o n s 1 2 0 S ecurit y and Healt h 1 21 P r act i ca li t i es 122 Thin g s to Avoi d 12 3 B u dg et Tip s1 24 Eating and Drinking Tips 1 25 T ours & Sp ecial Interest s 12 6 A ccommo d at i on Tip s1 27 P laces to Sta y 1 28 Ge n e r a l In dex 1 34 Ph rase B oo k 14 2 L e f t Graffitied wall in Havana C enter T urt l e Ri g ht Musicians in Santiago de Cuba 3 Key to abbreviations y Key to abbreviations Ktbbiti Adm Adm Adm admission charge admission charge admission charge Dis. access Dis. access Dis access disabled access disabled access disabled access 1 00 4 0 0 2 9/ 01 / 08 K 28 2:3 0 W2 k - 3 1 45493 K000 K000 K000 K000 004-005_TT_CUB_Opener.indd 4 r . i n d d4 d 4 1 00 5 0 0 2 9/ 01 / 08 K 28 2:3 0 W2 k - 3 1 45493 K000 K000 K000 K000 C UBA ’ S TOP 1 0 CUBA’S C C C C U U U U U B B B B A A A A A ’ ’ S S S S TOP 10 T T T T O O O O O P P P P P 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 Cuba’s Highlights C C C u u b b b a a ’ s s H H H i g g gh h h l i g g h h ht t s s 6–7 6 6 – – –7 7 7 Habana Vieja, H H H a a b b b a a n n a a V V i e e ej j a a , Havana H H H a a v v a a n n n a a 8–9 8 8 – – –9 9 9 The Modern City, T T T h h e e e M M M o o o d d e e e r n n C C C it t y y , Havana H H H a a v v a a n n n a a 10–11 1 0 0 0– – – 1 1 1 Cordillera de C C o o o r d d d i l l e e r r a a d d d e e Guaniguanico G G G u u a a a n n i g g u u u a a n n i c c co o o 12–13 1 2 2 2– – – 1 1 3 3 3 Zapata Peninsula Z Z Z a a p p pa a at t a a P P e e n n n i n n s s u u u l a a 14–15 1 4 4 4– – – 1 1 5 5 5 Trinidad T T T r i n n n i d d a a d d d 16–17 1 6 6 6– – – 1 1 7 7 7 Jardines del Rey J J a a r rd d d i n n e e e s s d d e e e l R R R e e y y 18–19 1 8 8 8– – – 1 1 9 9 9 Camagüey C C C a a m m m m a a g g ü ü ü e e y y 20–21 2 2 0 0 0– – – 2 2 1 Holguín H H H o o o l g g u u í ín n n 22–23 2 2 2 2 2– – – 2 2 3 3 3 Santiago de Cuba S S S a a n n t t i a a g g o o o d d e e e C C C u u b b b a a 24–25 2 2 4 4 4– – – 2 2 5 5 5 Baracoa B B Ba a a r a a c c o o o a a 26–27 2 2 6 6 6– – – 2 2 7 7 7 Top Ten of Everything T T o o p p p T T Te e e n n o o o f E E v v e e r ry y yt t h h i n n n g g 30–61 3 3 0 0 0– – – 6 6 1 004-005_TT_CUB_Opener.indd 5 004-005_TT_CUB_Opener.indd 5 00 00 00 00 0 0 0 0 1 00 6 0 0 05 / 02 / 08 K 28 2:3 0 W2 k - 3 1 4 55 3 5 K000 K000 K000 K000 " 7ULQLGDG G DG G G Cuba’s Top 10 Cp C u b a Hi ghl i gh ts Cu b a, the Cari bb ean’s l ar g est is l and, is a l and of extraordinary beauty and amazin g c ontrasts. From white-sand beaches and teal-blue seas to lush valleys and cloud- d ra p ed mountains, Cuba is kalei d o sco p ic in its terrains. Steeped in history, this Cittiiiti d 6 ! Habana Vieja Havana (see pp12 13) . T rinid ad T rini dad boas t s a b reeze-swe p t hill s id e se tt in g . This UNESCO World He r i tage Si t e is Cuba ’ s m os t com pl e t e c olonial c i t y , w i t h g rea t m useu m s a n d a n ac t i v e sa n te r ía t radi t i on, p l us a s u p erb beach close b y ( see pp16–17 ) . % odern City, Havana Preceding pages Preceding pages Preceding pages Pdi Capitolio, Havana Capitolio, Havana Capitolio Havana CitliH 1 00 7 0 0 05 / 02 / 08 K 28 2:3 0 W2 k - 3 1 4 55 3 5 K000 K000 K000 K000 H P E F $ B " O B  .B S JB 0RD 0  Cuba’s Top 10 Cu a s op 0 Share your travel recommendations on Share your travel recommendations on Share your travel recommendations on Sh t l d ti traveldk.com traveldk.com traveldk com tldk 7 & C ama g üey Th e co l on i a l b u ildi ngs of t he “Ci t y of Tinajones” t o t he Revolu t ion (see pp24 5) . re a Jardines del R ey S t r e tching 275 miles (442 km) along Cuba ’ s n o r t he rn coas t li ne, t h i s c h a in o f o ff shore islands and ca y s is lined wi t h s t u nning beaches. Three islands offer su p erb divin g p lus exci t in g w a t er s p o r t s an d d e l uxe ho t el s ( see pp 18–19 ) . ^ B aracoa Founded in 1511 as C uba’s fi r s t c i t y , Baracoa en j o y s a s t upendous sett i ng backed by r a inf o r es t - clad m ou n t ai n s . A buzzin g s t re e tli f e , scenic moun t a i n hik es, an d t he Cas t illo d e Seboruco , a cas t le- t u rn ed - h ot el , are t hi s t own ’ s k ey a tt rac t i o n s ( see pp26–27 ) . ) 1 00 8 0 0 05 / 02 / 08 K1 6 2:3 0 W2 k - 3 1 4 55 3 5 K202 K202 K000 K000 Most sights are open 10am–5pm on weekdays and 10am–2pm on gp p y p Most sights are open 10am 5pm on weekdays and 10am 2pm on Most sights are open 10am–5pm on weekdays and 10am–2pm on Mtiht 105 kd d102 Sunday. Sunday. Sunday Sd Cuba’s Top 10 Cp 8 Ha b ana Vie j a, Havana With a l most 1,000 b ui l din g s of historic importance, this intimate quarter is perhaps the lar g est and most complete colonial complex in the Americas. Like a peopled “museum” full of animated street life, Old Havana boasts an astonishing wealth of castles, cathedrals, convents, palaces, and other important buildings spanning five centuries. An ongoing restoration program, now in its third decade , has transformed the finest structures into museums , hote l s, restaurants, b outiques, and trend y b ars. Easi ly wa l ka bl e, the co bbl ed p l azas and the narrow, shaded streets of Ha b ana Vieja exude co l onia l charm. T op 10 F eatures 1 Cated r a l de La H aba n a 2 P a l ac i o de los C a p itanes Ge n e r a l es 3 Pl a z a de A rm as 4 Ca ll e O bis p o 5 Ig lesia y Co nv e n to San Fr a n c i sco 6 Ca ll e Me r cade r es 7 Pl a z a Vie ja 8 M useo de la Re v o l uc i ó n 9 M useo Nac i o n a l de B ellas A rte s 0 Par q ue Hi stó ri co -Mili ta r M o rr o - Caba ñ a ! Cat e dral d e La Habana D om i nat i ng a c o bbl e d p laza, t hi s cat h e d r al ( center ) i s g raced by an ex q u i s i te B aro q ue f a ç ade w ith as y mmetrical bell t owers. Th e restore d i nt e - ri or f eatu r es fi n e mu r a l s . £ P laza de Arma s Haba n a Vi e j a ’ s l ar g est c obbled square – the seat o f the S panish g overnment – is t h e s it e of t h ec i ty ’s fi rst c ast l e ( left ) , the governor ’ s m a n sion , a nd t h e n atural hi story m u se u m . P a l acio de l os C a p itanes Generale s Thi s f ormer governor’s p al- ace c urrent ly houses the Cit y M useum . Dis p la ys of colo n ial t r ea s ures in l av i s hly deco r ated h a l l wa y s a n d ch am b ers r eca ll the h e i g h t of S p anish p owe r ( r i g h t ) . @ [...]... dictator who ruled Cuba with an iron fist between 1924 and 1933 ( Fulgencio Batista (1901–73) Mulatto general who seized power in 1934 and ruled Cuba until he fled on New Year’s Eve in 1958 ) Fidel Castroof(b.1926) Former head state who led the Revolution Castro held power for five decades Sh Share your travel recommendations on traveldk.com t l d ti t traveldk com ldk 31 Cu a s op 0 Cuba s Top 10 1 032 145493... For tourist assistance, contact the Santiago de Cuba Cubatur assistance, g office A office, Ave Victoriano Garzón between 3 and 4t (22) 65 2560 ffi Ave Vi t i G ó b t 3ra d 4ta, 4ta 2560 25 1 026 145493 2:30 W2k-3 29/01/08 K000 K68 K207 00 C Cuba s Top 10 p Baracoa Tucked inside a broad bay enfolded by mountains, Baracoa sits at the far northeast corner of Cuba This antique city was founded in 1511 as... wars for independence Cu a s op 0 Cuba s Top 10 General Fulgencio Batista fled Cuba and Castro delivered a victory speech in Santiago in advance of his triumphant journey to Havana A newly formed democratic government was quickly usurped by Castro, who allied with the Soviet Union and initiated dramatic reforms ! Christopher Columbus (1451–1506) $ José Martí (1853–95) Cuba s foremost national hero, a... ent John F dy refused to rize the US naval and air support F t For tourist information, contact the Zapata Cubatur office, Villa i t information i f ti t t th Z p t C b t office Vill ffi Pl Playa Gi ó (45) 98 4 110 Girón, Girón 4 110 15 1 016 145493 2:30 W2k-3 29/01/08 K000 K68 K207 00 C Cuba s Top 10 p Trinidad Founded in 1514 by Diego Velázquez, Trinidad was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988... sit on benches beneath shady trees Surrounded by colonial buildings, it is home to the Iglesia de San José, which is topped by a domed clocktower (left) 22 1 023 145493 2:30 W2k-3 29/01/08 K000 K77 K207 00 Loma $ la Cruzde Trova ^ Casaisde laof Cuba s This one Cu a s op 0 Cuba s Top 10 With views over the town, this hill is named for the Holy Cross at its summit and can be reached via 485 steps It... b t office, ffi Guardalavaca, (24) Guardalavaca, ( ) 43 0676 0676 23 1 024 145493 2:30 W2k-3 30/01/08 K000 K77/53 K207 00 C Cuba s Top 10 p Santiago de Cuba The country’s second-oldest and second-largest city has a flavor all its own thanks to it being the most African city in Cuba and the most musical place in the island nation Surrounded by mountains, Santiago was founded in 1511 on the hilly east... K13 K000 00 Diego $ San venerab This Cueva de %At an amazinl ta (30 m), this cave during the Cuba iron bed as well talagmites a s village exudes unspoiled charm Ox-carts plod x through quiet streets lined with traditional homes fronted by oldfashioned arcades Cu a s op 0 Cuba s Top 10 was once the m town in Cuba, th ous springs The Diego still offers treatments in a & Parque Nacional de Viñales Tobacco... Miel was the site of Columbus’ first landing in Cuba in 1492, and that the flattopped mountain he described is El Yunque, which rises dramatically behind Baracoa Lined with venerable wooden houses in local, vernacular style, the sleepy town is laid out in a tight grid A favorite with independent travelers, Baracoa today buzzes with crowds of tourists Top 10 Features 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Fuerte Matachín... tourist information, contact the Baracoa Cubatur office, C ll i t information i f ti t t th B C b t office Calle ffi Maceo 149 esq Pelayo Cuervo, ( ) 645 306 esq q y Cuervo, (21) 306 27 1 028 145493 2:30 W2k-3 29/01/08 K000 K28 K000 00 29/ 29/1/08 2:02:48 PM 8 1 028-02 028-029_TT_CUB_DPS.indd 29 9 145493 029 29/01/08 K000 Cu a s op 0 Cuba s Top 10 1 030 144764 2:30 NT1-3 10/ 12/07 K000 K15 K000 00 One of the... edge in the field and treatments for illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, and meningitis have been developed Si Sign up for DK’s email newsletter on traveldk.com f DK’s DK il l tt t traveldk com ldk 11 1 012 145535 2:30 W2k-3 05/02/08 K000 K13 K000 00 C Cuba s Top 10 p Cordillera de Guaniguanico The pine-clad mountains that begin a short distance west of Havana and run through northern Pinar del Río province . $=$ $ ($50$ $6 '( ' $6 ' ( / $ 6 0 , 6 , 2 1 ( 6  0 2 1 6 ( 5 5 $ = 8 / 8 3DODFLRGHOR F 3DODF RV FLR HORV &DSLWDQHV*HQHUDOHV * V HQH LWDQ HV*HQHUDOHV 0XVHRGHOD3 G VHRGHOD3 0XV 3 0XVHRGH$VLD RGH$VLD XVHR 7DEDFR 7DE 0XVHRGHO VHR 0 HRGHO7DEDFR GH RGH GH &DV VWL VWLOORG D U]D D O)X 5H HDO )XHU] P (O7 (O 7HP & DWHGUDOGH &DWHG UDOGH /D+ EDQD D +DE +DEDQ DED OD Q µQ D O O 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 1 1 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 py 10 10 1 00 1 0 0 2 8 / 12 / 0 7 K4 3 2:3 0 NT1- 3 1 44960 . K000 K000 H P E F $ B " O B  .B S JB 0RD 0  Cuba s Top 10 Cu a s op 0 Share your travel recommendations on Share your travel recommendations on Share your travel recommendations on Sh t l d ti traveldk.com traveldk.com traveldk. open 10am–5pm on weekdays and 10am–2pm on gp p y p Most sights are open 10am 5pm on weekdays and 10am 2pm on Most sights are open 10am–5pm on weekdays and 10am–2pm on Mtiht 105