Baracoa

Baracoa


Baracoa coat of arms
Baracoa was founded by Diego Velázquez in 1512, making it the oldest European settlement in Cuba. The city is officially called Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa (Our Lady of the Assumption of Baracoa).

Baracoa could only be reached by boat up until the 1960s, after which a road was finally built that connected it with the rest of Cuba.

Baracoa is a quiet place that boasts an abundance of palm trees.

Points of interest
  • The Casa de la Cultura is a music venue.
  • The Casa de la Trova is also a music venue.
  • The Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral) houses the remains of the Cruz de la Parra, which Columbus is supposed to have brought from Spain. Since the cross is made from local wood, it is highly unlikely that it came from Spain. The church was built in 1807 and reconstructed in 1889. In the early 2000s, a renovation project was started that was completed in 2012.
  • El Saltadero is a waterfall on the Toa River. It is 17 m high.
  • There are 3 forts in Baracoa that were built during the Spanish period.
    • The Fuerte Matachín (Matachín Fort) was built in 1802. It houses the Museo Municipal (Municipal Museum). The fort is located in the east of town.
    • The Fuerte de la Punta (Fort of the Point) dates from 1803. The fort has been converted into a restaurant and it is located in the west of Baracoa.
    • El Castillo de Seburoco has been converted into a hotel.
  • The Salto Fino is a waterfall on the Arroyo del Infierno (Hell's stream). The waterfall is 305 m high, making it the highest waterfall in the Caribbean.
Around Baracoa
  • El Yunque (The Anvil) is a flat mountain, some 10 km west of Baracoa. It has been isolated for millions of years and as a result, it boasts a unique flora, including ferns and palms that grow nowhere else. The plateau is 575 m (1,886 ft) high and can be climbed. A guide is compulsary.
  • The Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt (Alexander Humboldt National Park) is located about 20 km north from Baracoa.
There are several hotels and restaurants in town. Baracoa is located on a headland on Cuba's easternmost point, Cabo Maisí, 875 km southeast of Havana. Barcoa has bus connections with Santiago de Cuba and the trip takes about 4 hours.

Suntransfers.com

Hotels in Baracoa

Images


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