When you think of Cuba, the first things that come to mind are: The beaches, the streets of Havana and, let's not fool ourselves, the mojitos and the cigars! (So what? Hehehe). But ... Do you know anything about nature to explore in Cuba?
You can't imagine the wonderful natural corners that the Island has! That is why today we want to show you five of these nature spaces in Cuba. There are many more, but we wanted to highlight these little paradises in Cuba that are worth exploring and taking a tour to get to know. Do we start?
Explore Nature in Cuba
Lake Hanabanilla (Villa Clara)
This beautiful artificial lake is formed by the union of the Arimano, Guanayara, Negro and Jibacoa rivers. These waters come from the mountain range of Guamuhaya, also known as Sierra del Escambray, in Villa Clara
Lake Hanabanilla, (in the aboriginal language Hanabanilla means "little gold basket") will surprise you with its beauty, its vegetation and the natural complex that forms with the surrounding landscape.
We recommend you tour the lake by boat. On this tour, you will be alone because this lake is outside the tourist circuits of Cuba, you will be in direct contact with nature enjoying a cooler microclimate than in the rest of the island.
From the lake you will be able to take spectacular hiking trails, such as the Senda de los Helechos, a path of extraordinary beauty where you will enjoy waterfalls, millenary ferns and native birds such as Tocororo, Cartacuba, Zorzal or Negrito.
In short, Lake Hanabanilla and its surroundings are one of the spots of Cuba that you cannot miss, where nature is the protagonist. Well worth a trip there!
Viñales Valley
The Viñales Valley is located in the province of Pinar del Río, which is the westernmost area of Cuba, and constitutes a unique landscape where heights of metamorphic rocks combine with karst mountains, known locally as "mogotes", and valleys of a great beauty. It was declared Cultural Landscape of Humanity for its extraordinary uniqueness.
In this Valley, you can discover tobacco plantations and dryers, as well as explore the way of life and artisanal elaboration of this typical Cuban product.
If you want to know this Valley in depth, you won't miss anything with our exclusive excursion on horseback accross tobacco fields, and if you prefer adventure, we suggest 5 great nature activities in western Cuba.
El Abra de Canasí. (Mayabeque)
This quiet place is located in the Havana-Matanzas plain. Abrá del Canasí you will leave you speechless, with its natural landscape combining mountains, sea and rivers. The Picadura or Canasí hills are surprising, with their bluish mogotes (100m high hills that border the entire coast and through which the river of the same name flows).
We can also explore sea caves, such as Convento or beautiful cliffs such as La Cazuela, ideal for snorkeling and diving.
You can not miss Abra del Canasí, one of the most beautiful nature spots in Cuba.Tope de Collantes (Trinidad)
It is an immense protected nature area of Cuba, located in the central part of the island within the Guamuahaya mountain range, a.k.a. Sierra del Escambray. It is a natural historical landscape which played a lead role in Cuban revolution because Che Guevara set his camp here.
In this protected environment you can enjoy many spots and tourist attractions, such as Sendero de Vegas Grandes which has lush vegetation, a cave, a viewpoint, waterfalls, bath pots and native flora and fauna of the island.
You can also enjoy the beauty and spectacularity of Salto del Caburní, a waterfall 62 meters high.
A place you have to visit in Cuba!And nothing better to discover it than a personalized field trip to Tope de Collantes!!
Guanaroca Lagoon (Cienfuegos)
This salty lagoon feeds on the waters of the Arimao river and the waters of the Jagua bay. A local legend tells that this lagoon is the representation of the moon on earth. In the lagoon, we can go on a boat and contemplate colonies of pink flamingos, among other migratory birds that reach this ecosystem.
Once there it is possible to visit the dolphinarium located in the surroundings.
A perfect place to spend a day surrounded by nature.
Enjoy nature in Cuba!
These are just five examples of the wonderful natural spots that you can find on the island of Cuba, a country to enjoy to the fullest. Are you coming to explore it?
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