In this post, I invite you to embark on a fascinating journey from the city of Havana to Playa Girón, highlighting the interesting points we will encounter along the way. From Finca Fiesta Campesina to Guamá, we will explore nature and culture at each stop. Get ready to discover the essence of Cuba on this unique journey.
Fiesta Campesina: A Natural Break on the Route to Ciénaga de Zapata
On the journey, our first resting point is Finca Fiesta Campesina, near the National Highway. The estate dedicates itself to showcase the native flora of Cuban fields, the diversity of crops in that region, and some of its fauna. The site houses a kind of small zoo, featuring deer, peacocks, rabbits, and ducks that give the place a natural and rustic touch. Additionally, the establishment has a bar that, following Cuban traditions, was the first to sell guarapo for tourist purposes in Cuba, around the beginning of 1991.
In the colonial and republican periods, Cuba was a cornerstone in the international sugar cane trade. This led to the emergence of a sugarcane tradition that influenced aspects of the economy and even labor periods because the sugar harvest season mobilized a significant portion of the country’s workforce. It was during these times, and thanks to the high sugar production in Cuba, that the mentioned “guarapo” became popular.
This energizing and high-sugar beverage is nothing more than the juice extracted from the cane by crushing its pieces. Serving it with ice adds a refreshing touch, and you can also enjoy it with rum. The artisanal touch of a drink prepared instantly by squeezing the cane gives a rustic nuance to the liquid, well-known and popular throughout the Cuban island.
Exploring Cuba’s Natural Treasure: Ciénaga de Zapata National Park
As we delve into the Zapata Peninsula, we encounter part of the impressive natural environment of Ciénaga de Zapata National Park. This park is an ecological and cultural treasure, standing out as the largest wetland in the insular Caribbean and an important reservoir of fragile ecosystems. Here, 70% of Cuba’s 368 bird species find their home, making it the habitat with the greatest bird diversity in the archipelago. Indeed, Ciénaga de Zapata harbors the largest and most crucial population of migratory birds in Cuba, primarily serving as a wintering ground for birds from North America, with researchers identifying at least 65 species. It remains an area relatively untouched by human hands, earning its status as a prime green destination that encompasses various tourist attractions, primarily centered around nature tourism, beaches, sport fishing, and diving.
Guama: Discovering History and Nature
Boca de Guamá, Cuba’s most important wetland, is our next destination within the National Park. With its Taíno Village, Treasure Lagoon, and Crocodile Breeding Center, Guama offers a unique experience. The place owes its name to a Taíno chief who faced Spanish colonization between 1522 and 1532, considered one of the greatest adversaries of Spanish occupation in colonial times in Cuba.
The Treasure of the Lagoon
A natural beauty, Guama’s Treasure Lagoon, with an average depth of just over four meters and nearly 16 kilometers in surface, qualifies it as one of the largest freshwater mirrors on the island. According to an old legend, in the 16th century, when Spanish conquerors entered that area, the primitives inhabiting the lands around the aquatic enclave, frightened, threw their riches into the water, giving rise to the name Treasure Lagoon.
For the visit to the Taíno Village, you depart from La Boca, as the locals call the entrance to the lagoon. A boat travels the branches of the pond to the mouth during the ride. The change is striking; the width of Treasure Lagoon gives a feeling of overwhelming smallness.
The place stands out as the home of the Manjuarí, considered a living fossil, present in the access channels, and also the Manatee, another traditional species of Cuba in danger of extinction.
The Taína Village
Upon entering the village, you can perceive that it is built on what seems to be a swamp. The place narrates the history of Cuban Taíno aborigines. It features a set of pre-colonial houses built on the Treasure Lagoon. Its inhabitants adopted the construction system on wooden posts due to the numerous presence of predators that easily accessed the houses. Raising them on posts in the water, therefore, avoided the surprise of being devoured by a crocodile.
A series of 25 life-size sculptures of Taíno Indians engaged in hunting, fishing, and other activities show us the indigenous way of life on a journey through the history of the place, created by the renowned Cuban sculptor Rita Longa.
As you advance towards the main nucleus of the sculptural ensemble, you perceive chords and rhythms that increase in intensity. The path leads to a small “bohío” from which music emanates. Upon entering, four people dressed as natives perform animated dances accompanied by chants and tobacco smoke. Indigenous words, blessings, and gestures complete the show that attracts visitors. A way to recreate religious practices from that group of inhabitants.
Crocodile Breeding Center
The Crocodile Breeding Center is a place of vital importance for Cuba’s natural heritage. The place is characterized by hosting more than 10,000 specimens distributed in different areas according to their size. The two species cared for in this hatchery are the Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer), native to the territory, and the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), which is the caiman belonging to all Tropical America zones. Thanks to the Guamá Breeding Center, which has been in operation since 1962, these two species have been able to survive, as before that date, they were in danger of extinction. The animals are classified by sizes and ages, allowing a tour through the different growth phases.
Thanks to the work of this center, it is not necessary to go to the hatchery to see crocodiles. In the vicinity of Boca de Guamá, you can find crocodile hatchlings feeding on the banks. During a guided tour of approximately 45 minutes, you will learn how they live, how they are hunted, or how these reptiles are fed, and you may even have the opportunity to touch them.
On the other hand, in the Boca de Guamá complex, you will find various dining options available. However, undoubtedly, the most common and preferred place for visitors to have lunch is a small local village called Palpite. In Palpite, you’ll find several paladares, small private businesses offering a variety of foods. The menu typically includes seafood and dishes made from local fauna. This stop is undoubtedly an experience that is well worth considering.
Punta Perdiz: Underwater Paradise for Diving Enthusiasts
Our next destination is Punta Perdiz, an international diving center in the Bay of Pigs. There, we find a paradise for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Its crystal-clear waters harbor an abundance of marine species and coral formations, making it one of the highlights of the Zapata Swamp.
The center has a beach and a pier that facilitate access to the sea, where divers can appreciate a depth of just 10 meters, and then drop abruptly to more than 300 meters. It is formed by walls and tunnels that descend gradually, with an extensive sandy area filled with small coral formations.
Cueva de los Peces: Exploring the Depths of Cuba
Another place very close to Punta Perdiz is La Cueva de los Peces, a cenote considered the most beautiful in Cuba, inviting us to explore its underground waters. With a depth of over 70 meters, it connects underground to the Caribbean Sea, revealing its corals, seaweed, and fish of the most diverse colors and shapes. Swimming among them and getting to know their wonderful world is even more exciting when using the services provided for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.
Playa Girón: More than a Picturesque Beach
After the previous stops, it’s finally time to reach Playa Girón. The beach derives its name from Gilberto Girón, a daring pirate, chose this place as his base of operations, orchestrating numerous raids before facing defeat. Throughout the centuries, this strategic location has witnessed crucial events: in the 18th and 19th centuries, its dense vegetation turned it into a refuge for the clandestine landing of slaves destined for sugar factories. During the War of Independence, it stood as a strategic point in the fight against the Spanish army.
However, the most resonant episode occurred in 1961 when the United States tried to overthrow Castro’s regime. The CIA sent troops composed of Cuban exiles to initiate the counter-revolution on the shores of the Bay of Pigs. Contrary to the expectations of intelligence services, in just three days, Castro’s army triumphed in the Battle of Playa Girón, a shameful defeat for the Americans.
Today, Playa Girón is recognized not only for its beaches but also for its unique ecosystem, beyond its fascinating historical past. Its turquoise waters caress the white sands under the shade of palm trees, creating a haven of peace and relaxation. An additional attraction is the museum on-site, where you can see remnants of the invasion and get a detailed description of how events unfolded. The museum has two rooms housing exhibitions and artifacts from the battle, as well as a detailed account of the invasion and the lives of Cuban soldiers and those who perished. In front of the museum, tanks and planes used in the battle are exhibited.
Continue Exploring
Thus concludes our journey through Playa Girón, but this trip is only the beginning of the wonders that Cuba has to offer. Each destination tells a unique story and immerses us in an unparalleled cultural and natural richness. If this journey sparked your curiosity, I encourage you to continue exploring the charms of Cuba in other articles. Discover more destinations, learn their stories, and let yourself be enveloped by the magic of this land full of surprises.
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