Forests of Eastern Cuba
Cuba Beyond the Beaches is pleased to bring you the Forests of Eastern Cuba.
This tour takes you from the misty heights of an old volcano, to a tropical rain forest, a scrubland of hardy pines, and one of the most unique environments for any plants – the heavy metal serpentine forests.
Forest Tour 1 – Flame Trees and Coffee in the Clouds
Long ago this was a volcano! All that is left now is an abrupt plug with sheer sides, and wonderfully fruitful soils. Although its lower slopes are home to mixed farms, orchards of mangos and sapotes, fields of pineapples, yucca and malanga, its upper slopes are given over to cafetals – producing some of the world’s best coffee.
We journey out of the city to a cloud forest with ancient fern trees and simple pines which existed in the time of the dinosaurs. Walk in the magical world of bromeliads and orchids, brightly colour butterflies and brilliant birds. Visit to a Haitian-style cafetal perched almost at the top of the mountain. and a tiny cafetal and mixed farm on the slopes to learn about coffee!
Forest Tour 2 – Coastal Forest – Mangroves at work
Depart Santiago for Baracoa – this is a spectacular drive with lots of stops along the way to enjoy the splendid vistas.
An early departure takes you through the surrounding mountains, into the small villages and farms of II Frente. Golden mists drift above the plume waving sugar cane, and royal palms sail on a sea of clouds. A magical moment of every fresh day. The road winds along the coast, passing through Cuba’s desert, and through the small towns surrounded by farms benefiting from the new water sources and irrigation.
Explore mangrove reforestation along this coastal strip. Acres of newly planted mangroves are designed to provide protection for the fragile coastline and increased wildlife habitat.
The town of Baracoa was isolated from the rest of Cuba, except by sea, until the engineering feat of the Farola highway; winding its way over precipitous slopes and vertiginous cliffs – the images of mountain upon mountain, and verdant valleys are a photographer’s delight.
The highest point of the Farola crosses from the watershed of the Caribbean to the watershed of the Atlantic.
We recommend private transportation for this drive.
Forest Tour 3 – Discovering a Tropical Forest
The slopes of El Yunque
This massive mesa, first recorded by Columbus, and still not totally explored, dominates the views of the town. Its almost vertical sides are clothed in tall trees, and dense tropical growth. Crystal clear waters tumble in waterfalls and rivers rush down to the sea. This tour takes you around the lower slopes of El Yunque and into a nearby eco-reserve. Discover how chocolate grows, what a banana flower looks like, who is Sapote, and more denizens of the forest. Lunch is a barbeque on the banks of the river (bring your swimsuit),
Forest Tour 4 – Humbolt Park
Named as a World Heritage Park in 1986, this was the last known home of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in Cuba The park has many different eco-zones; scrub land, forested head waters, and dense mangrove coastal fringes, making it the perfect environment for birders and naturalists.
Forest Tour 5 -Tropical forests
The structure of the mountain ranges on the north coast of this part of the island, and its physical isolation have provided unique eco-niches for flora and fauna alike. Receiving over 1000 cms of rain a year makes this truly a paradise for all things living.
Our goal is the range known as the Chrystals. Known for its orchids and its birdlife. Gardens of tropical plants, and orchids, orchids, orchids.
Forest Tour 6 – The Serpentine Forest
A unique area of vegetation growing on heavy metal soils. The brilliant colours and strange flowers are the product of long adaptation to the poisonous environment. Not all plants have been investigated and described, and the area holds treasures in waiting.