"Baracoa - Way off the beaten path" Top 5 Page for this destination Baracoa by TOFFY

Baracoa Travel Guide: 132 reviews and 224 photos

Baracoa - Way off the beaten path - Baracoa

If you have the time, a trip to Baracoa in the far east of Cuba is worth the energy it takes to get there. Isolated from the rest of the island, accessible by boat only, until some time in the 60's, Baracoa has developed all on its own, and continues to just do its own thing, unaware of the rest of Cuba. It is important in that it stands as the first of the seven towns first settled by Diego Velazquez (1511).

Leaving from Santiago, take a good map. The road follows a good highway for a while, then turns to lesser roads that take you through small villages on the way to Guantanamo.
As you pass through a very desert-like environment with plenty of cacti, and interesting land forms, you can't help noticing the beauty of sea and desert joining. Keep an eye on your map, and before the road turns north, there is a side trip to be taken to the eastern point, where there is a light house.
Turning north, you head high over the mountains, into the rainforest. Watch for fern trees. What a ride!

Food for sale in the mountains

WARNING: Take food with you. After Guantanamo, there are few restaurants, some of which have NO FOOD.
And when you arrive, make sure you stroll through the streets at night and fill you ears with glorious music.

Pros and Cons

Pros:untouched by modern times
Cons:hard to get to
In a nutshell:Worth the effort

Last visit to Baracoa: Mar 2003
Intro Updated Oct 13, 2004
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Reviews (5)

Royal palms, chocolate and beaches Off The Beaten Path (1)

A drive out of town in a westerly direction will promise you some nice adventure.....a chocolate factory, a large river... more travel advice

A good Bed abd Breakfast Hotels (1)

If you are unable to stay in the best hotel in town, Hotel El Castillo, skip La Rusa, and try Denny's bed and breakfast.... more travel advice

The Cathedral Things to Do (1)

Even if you are a traveller who feels if you've seen one cathedral you've seen them all, IT IS A MUST to stop in the... more travel advice

Take food for the road Warnings and Dangers (1)

The road to Baracoa, either from Moa in the north, or from Santiago in the south, are both fascinating, however, as with... more travel advice

Local Customs (1)
Watch for Cucuruchos

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Comments (2)

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nomada Jul 29, 2006 at 3:43 AM

My fav place in Cuba too. And love those yummy cucuruchos :)
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Luchonda Mar 28, 2005 at 9:48 AM

Baracoa - my favorite city in Cuba !