The Cuban archipelago is not just wonderful beaches with turquoise waters. Cuba is full of incredible natural landscapes in which its endemic flora and fauna stand out; impressive cave and mountain systems; rivers, cenotes, beaches, lagoons and crystalline and refreshing waterfalls. If you are a lover of adventure and nature, and you want experiences to live the real Cuba, from our Agency of customized trips, CubaUnique we offer you the best options to prepare your travel route to Cuba, as in this case: nature activities in Cuba.
Whether if your planning to travel to Cuba with your group of friends, or if you want to travel with your classmates, with your family, or in a romantic couple trip, or even honeymoon in Cuba we will design your routes in Cuba tailored to your needs and expectations, so that you have the most unforgettable experiences !!In our blog we have already suggested five Unique spots to enjoy nature in Cuba., but this time we share 5 unique adventure excursions for you to explore and discover the incredible nature spots of the western Cuba.
1 Finca Tungasuk: agriculture, nature and haute cuisine
Only 37km from Havana, in the province of Artemisa. We love this farm. It is a family project that allows you to learn about the most innovative trends in agroecology on the island. These link agriculture and sustainable consumption to tourism. The host couple, Alfredo and Annabelle are from Peru and Nicaragua. She is a chef trained at the prestigious French gastronomy school Ferrandi ParisThey have designed experiences that allow visitors to get involved with the work of the land and get its fruits.
There are 2 options to spend a unique day in Tungasuk and both are great, as they are completed with the personal experiences of these two "yumas" (foreigners) who got "aplatanaos" (Cubanized) and who love Cuba and talk about such interesting concepts as ecofeminism and sorecimiento (sisterhood + flourishing). Garden to table experience: visit to the farm and Creole lunch with appetizer, starter, main course, dessert and coffee. On the other side, if you are interested in collaborating as a volunteer with the planting and maintenance of crops, you will get the"Experience of volunteering visit” where you will be greeted with a delicious natural breakfast. After work on the farm under the blazing Caribbean sun, you will enjoy a hearty peasant-style lunch.
2 Las Terrazas: nature, history, and community
Since 1862 dozens of French coffee plantations have been established in this area of the Sierra del Rosario. It is the area that Las Terrazas occupies today, also in the Artemisa province. Just 52km from the capital, today this complex is much more than a rural experiment in sustainable forestry development. We propose this destination because we like the perfect symbiosis that is achieved between nature-history-community. For you to experience the nature of the Sierra del Rosario in a special way, you will be guided by a local.
Bird watching
This will give you first-hand information and will take you through the least explored routes in this area. You have to get up early to live this experience, because it begins with the bird watching , including Cuban endemic species along a wonderful trail. The guide will provide the binoculars! After the walk, the next stop will be at a natural pool which also has a little waterfall. Well secluded and almost inaccessible for those who do not know the area, with this refreshing bath you will charge batteries to continue enjoying the rest of the tour.The more adventurous can challenge their own limits by doing canopy. They will have a route through aerial steel cables of 1.6 km in length, from where you can enjoy the beautiful landscape.
You can get on foot to the Casa del Campesino, a ranch style restaurant where you will taste excellent Creole peasant style food; the specialty is roast pork and congrí (black rice). Afterwards it is worth reaching out to the community. There, you will be surprised by the creativity and talent for art (painting, crafts) that these people have developed despite living between rivers and mountains.
3 Viñales: hiking, climbing, caving and rappelling in a mogote!
Every year, lovers of caving and hiking choose Viñales as their destination. The color of this small town in the Pinar del Río province, the kindness of its people and its exceptional valleys make it a place par excellence for lovers of nature tourism. In Viñales there are very interesting excursions such as tour the tobacco fields on foot, by bicycle or on horseback in contact with local farmers, but if you are adventurous, we propose an exclusive activity in Viñales, so that you can add adrenaline to your stay in this paradise of tobacco plantations and mogotes.
A group of local experts will guide you on this adventure. They are young people with a lot of experience certified as instructors. They will provide you with both the training and the necessary material for this activity.
A unique ecosystem
The experience is all about mixing hiking, climbing, caving and rappelling, entering the unique ecosystem of an imposing mogote (karst hill). As it will take place in a practically unspoilt site, you will feel like a true discoverer. Right in the middle of a vertical rock wall of a mogote lies the cavern that you are going to visit. To get there, you will first do a fairly steep and intense hike (with a medium level of difficulty) of approximately 12m. Then you will do a very simple climb of another 12m to reach the cavern.After visiting the cavern and discovering the wonders of the underground environment of this area, you will rappel 70m down to the base of the mogote. Before that, you can appreciate the curious formations in its stones. This experience lasts up to 4 hours, with breaks.
* You need good physical preparation. You should take precautions if you suffer from any kind of allergy to insect bites. Harness, shoes, ropes, flashlights are included. Safety is guaranteed!
4 María La Gorda: Snorkeling, diving and relaxation
The fans of snorkeling, diving, or underwater photography will enjoy this experience in María la Gorda. This place is considered a paradise in western Cuba for its beautiful beaches, and its colorful coral reefs. This destination is located to the west of the Pinar del Río province, on the Guanahacabibes peninsula. Once you have arrived here, we recommend that you stay for 2 or 3 nights in one of the hotels that CubaUnique can book for you. We also organize one-day trips along Cabo San Antonio and stayin just one night at María la Gorda.
The plan that we propose is very simple: relax on the beach, practice snorkeling. In case you have a license, you can dive in one of the 10 best diving areas in all of Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to being able to appreciate the Black Coral Valley, the largest black coral reef in Cuba, you will taste a delicious Cuban seafood meal and witness enchanting sunsets. As this enclave is part of a Biosphere Reserve, we encourage you to discover the exuberant wild and endemic fauna that inhabit its intricate landscapes.
Also if you travel between May and September, it is worth witnessing the sea turtle spawning (green, hawksbill and loggerhead) in the sand dunes. Accompanied by a local guide, 9 beaches are visited at night to observe how these species are protected in Cuba in the nesting and birth of their young.
5 Bacunayagua, test your limits facing the unexplored
The little town of Bacunayagua is located to the east of Havana, just 85 kilometers from the capital, in the province of Mayabeque. It is surrounded by an exuberant almost unspoilt nature, here you will find landscapes that will take your breath away. And since we love that you live new adventures, we propose you this exclusive and personalized experience in this charming little fishing village.
With a specialized guide, a local friend of CubaUnique, you will be able to discover the charms of this area of the Cuban north coast, which include crystal clear waters, rivers, caves, wild animals and much more!
Serás recibido por tu guía en el Mirador de Bacunayagua, sitio de excepcional belleza por su vista del Valle del Yumurí. A unos 100 metros del mirador te esperan los caballos para recorrer un sendero de 1.5km en el que tu guía te irá contando todos los secretos que esconde esta zona tan poco explorada. Llegarás a la Playa del Muerto (dicen que hace muchos años llegó un cuerpo a la orilla), el lugar donde el guía guarda todo el equipamiento y donde te podrás refrescar con un zumo natural en su terracita con vista al mar antes de continuar con el resto de las aventuras.
Heading to the cenote
From here you will take a walking route of approximately 2km of imposing vegetation, birds and wild animals until you reach the Cueva de la Morena, a fairly deep cenote with crystal clear waters ideal to practice snorkeling. Para comer disfrutarás bien relajado de un almuerzo en casa del guía donde no faltará el pescado fresco! La próxima aventura será un paseo de 2km (1km ida y 1km la vuelta) en kayak por el río Bacunayagua, en el que te sentirás teletransportado a la selva amazónica; podrás observar o fotografiar al ave nacional de Cuba: el tocororo, y algunas especies de pájaros carpinteros. Y para cerrar con broche de oro, un atardecer inigualable de snorkeling or chill at Playa del Muerto.*Esta experiencia no es complicada y, aunque se puede adaptar a tus exigencias, requiere un mínimo de preparación física/ Incluye máscara y snorkel, kayak, remos y chaleco salvavidas. Además de un zumo natural, almuerzo y una botellita de agua.
So, if you are thinking about organizing a trip to Cuba , whether it is on your own or with one of our tailor made trips we will craft with pleasure and care in our specialized travel agency, don't miss any of our recommendations to travel to Cuba without complications and to know about the evolution of COVID-19 situation in Cuba. We suggest some of our most popular preset routes , and, if possible, spend at least 10 days in Cuba soyou don't miss the essentials, and above all, enjoy Cuban nature 24/7. We are waiting for you very soon!
Article written by Gabriela Rodríguez, independent Cuban guide.
Video produced and edited by Javier Ernesto Hernández-López.
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