| Cuba Fanatico |
6th February 2008 |
Hi there,
I've been to Cuba many times, visited many places and I just love the country. In April, however, I will go to Baracoa for the first time and, somehow, I've got a gut feeling it will be different than before.
So, all of you who have been there, please advise me what would be the best course of action. Where shall I eat? Any good paladares? Where to go out? The beaches? Places of interest?
Thanks in advance
Simon |
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| bruce |
18th February 2008 |
| hi simon ..we too are looking at going there and havent found out any info on the place yet....just wondering if youve come up with some good info of the place... |
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| Victor Vasquez |
25th February 2008 |
Hi:
I am cuban and I was to Baracoa one year ago (I had never been there before) and I have to say that I loved it. It is a small, quite and beautiful city. People are very simple. There are many "paladares" or you can also try arranging your lunch or dinner at any "Casa Particular", the same ones that rent rooms. The most of them will offer you (unofficially) a great cuban food. About the beach, I suggest you trying the one behing the hotel Porto Santo, or going to Playa Amarilla (I think that is the name, or just the one that is close to the Hotel La Rusa.
Kind regards,
Victor |
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| Luis :-) |
17th February 2009 |
Hi every one,well let's say like Cuba no hay 2 hahaha :-)
i am cuban as well and now i' planning to go there sometimes this year Hmm hell yeah!..i can't wait to meet my family and girls :-)
See ya! Have a safe trip.
Nos vemos
Kuban.
luiskubanito@gmail.com |
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| cete |
11th March 2009 |
Hi Simon,
here a couple of tips for your stay in Baracoa, enjoy !!!
During the day ...
Baracoa is blessed with clean fresh water rivers and beautiful beaches, all of which can serve as places to bath and pass the hottest hours of the day. El Rio Miel is in cycling distance of the town centre and has a number of great places to bath.
La Playa Blanca is walking distance from the centre of town - check out beforehand if it is open to the public as it has a military use.
El museo de Matachin, a museum located in one of BaracoaâA¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬A¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢s old forts is worth a visit to discover BaracoaâA¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬A¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢s history. To learn about BaracoaâA¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬A¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢s archaeological finds and pre-European culture, the Museum of Archaeology is also worth a visit.
Visiting the artistsâA¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬A¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢ workshops of BaracoaâA¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬A¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢s community of painters requires very little effort as they are dotted all around the town and will welcome you in.
DonâA¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬A¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢t forget to have a Baracoa ice cream from one of the street vendors and remember that payment is in National Pesos and costs about 10 centavos, less than a penny !!
Nightlife
Baracoa has a central square called El Parque. This is where everybody meets in the evening before moving on to other venues. All the colourful local characters can be found here from early evening onwards and is a great place to come and chat, learn about Cuban culture, make new friends and catch up with acquaintances.
On weekends I have seen the main street being closed to traffic, people bringing chairs and tables outside, chatting, selling and consuming food and drink, dancing. You can wander up and down the street, music everywhere, meet people, dance, chat.
For such a small place Baracoa has an amazing number of night spots. This is because the locals like to go out and all the venues generally charge prices that locals can afford. Entrance fees to the various places vary from being free to 3 CUC so you will spend much less money on entertainment here.
El Ranchon up on the hill, la Casa de la Trova in the centre, La Terraza (el Junque), la Casa de la Cultura to name but a few venues.
Have a good time. |
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| Robert |
23rd October 2011 |
| I have just written an article about Baracoa on our website at http://www.thecatholictravelguide.com/BaracoaCuba.html. Unfortunately I have never been there so I would love to hear from someone who has and correct any mistakes I have made or add to what I have written. |
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| MARIO |
6th April 2014 |
I have to say that I found Playa Maguana to be very disappointing. It was very small and remarkably dirty the last time I was there. It depends on the time of year that you travel, but, in my opinion,it is overrated. There is a beach less that half a kilometer away from it, travelling a bit further along the bumpy road... It's basically the same deal; a rounded beach, but, it is a bit nicer and there are absolutely no tourists. There is a tiny house beside the beach, on a rock ledge, and the owner will cook you a fresh lobster meal, and you can eat it on a beach side table. It costs about 5cuc. That beach was nicer and the water was completely clear and blue. Nevertheless, is it worth the trip all the way to Baracoa?
But I will say, the best thing about Baracoa are the rivers. My God. The clearest water I have ever seen in a river. And warm too. And if you have the chance, go up the mountain along the eastern trail and see "la cascada". It's far, especially if you go by bike. But still.. It's not a waterfall. The locals call it a waterfall, but strangely enough, even most of the locals do not actually go up the mountain to see what it really is. At the top, the Toa is a tight river, about 20 meters wide, filled with boulders... the biggest rocks you have ever seen in your life. There are a million of them, filling the whole river, for miles and miles. You can see it from google earth.... I regret so much that I was unable to take a photo. I cannot find a photo of this anywhere online. It was the most magnificent sight I have ever seen in my life. I say that honestly. That made the trip to Baracoa.... after I saw that, I knew I could go home happy.
I wrote a book about Cuba, and it will soon be published. I have fallen in love with the country and culture. www.bestcubaguide.com |
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