Tours in and around Guantanamo and Baracoa
The mountainous province of Guantanamo still hides secrets to be discovered. Its mountain folds full of tall trees and tropical rainforest make access almost impossible, protecting a true tropical jungle. Plants and animals are still being discovered. Here are caves where the last human visitors came centuries or millennium ago, rivers which appear from the rocks, deep pools of pristine water welling up from the hidden aquifers, a biodiversity which has maintained despite centuries of human intervention.
Baracoa was the first settlement built by the Spanish in 1511. Isolated from the rest of Cuba, except by sea and mountain roads, Baracoa has a unique cultural history of the mixture of Indian, Spanish and Black cultures. In the late 1960’s that isolation was broken when a road was built finally over the mountains. This road clings to the mountain sides offering spectacular views, crossing from the watershed of the Caribbean to the watershed of the Atlantic.
Baracoa is indeed another world. Many species of plants, animals and birds are found only in the mountains which surround the town. Its people retain more of their aboriginal heritage than almost anywhere else in Cuba. Here in the faces of the people you see their history that man there lacks only an earring to be a pirate, that woman there looks as if she was carved from ebony, that child there could be from one of the early drawings of the original inhabitants of this island.
The forests surrounding the town were logged successively by the Spanish for their huge galleons (3000 trees were needed to build one treasure ship), then by foreign loggers taking out precious woods for furniture and houses. Despite this, and now jealously guarded, there is still virgin forest which preserves the original species mix of up to 150 different varieties of trees.
The main industries of Baracoa were, and still are, coffee, cocoa and coco. It is still possible to see how coffee is prepared in the traditional way, how to turn beans into chocolate, and a coconut into a scrumptious traditional treat.
Its deep water bay, pristine rivers, towering trees, make this an ideal location for birding, hiking, and exploring the flora and fauna of this unique biosphere.
Join us to explore the history, culture and nature of this unique part of the island.
Our tours are led by internationally and nationally recognized experts, local people with special knowledge, and by ordinary people doing what they love to do and show others. Our tour leaders are architects, historians, crafts people, local investigators with a passion for their area, farmers, and gardeners. Most are accompanied by a translator, some tours are a co-ordinated series of local visits.
Some visits are in private houses and offices.
History of Cuba Part 1 Pre-Columbia to European Settlement
History 1 – Pre-Columbian Life and First Contact
Exploration of the life of the original inhabitants of Cuba continues in many parts of the island. Thousands of years of human endeavour are found in the petraglyphs, pottery shards, and ornaments. Visit with descendents of these original inhabitants. The arrival of Columbus, quickly brought an end to an enduring, agricultural way of life. Understand the history of that first contact and the beginnings of what is now Cuba.
History 2 – Colonial Baracoa
Baracoa is identified by the huge mesa of El Yunque as shown in the sketches made by Columbus. The town of Baracoa clings to the sides of the uplifting reefs of the south side of the island. The colonial centre is dominated by the church and other religious buildings. Following the shore line the streets are wide and have a unique pattern of colonnaded dwellings; however Baracoa is also a vertical town with buildings climbing upwards linked by precipitous stairways. Learn why all the squares are triangles, and why there is the bust of Hatuey outside the church doors! Enjoy the cultural mix of Baracoa so different from other parts of Cuba. Music, dance, and art all stem from different cultural traditions.
Culture of Cuba
Baraco and the long coastline stretching east from Santiago became home to some of the thousands fleeing from the 18th century revolution in what is now Haiti. As well as knowledge for producing better coffee, and sugar, they brought all their culture including Music and Dance.
Culture 1 – Music and Dance
The Tumba Frances group of the City of Guantanamo is known internationally. Here are the vital traditions of French and African culture melded into colourful dances and powerful songs.
Other immigrant groups brought the basis for the Changui, danced with enthusiasm in many country areas. The group in the city of Guantanamo provides entertainment several times a week.
These tours are usually evening visits – with an overnight stay in the City of Guantanamo
Culture 2 – Religion – Temple visit in a small community.
The combination of Yoruba beliefs and 16th century Spanish Catholicism produced a unique mixture known as Santeria. The metaphysical African religions with their multi-deities, are laid alongside the mysticism of the Catholic expression of Christianity. Saints and Deities intermingle through colour and attributes, sincretized and specified to provide a source of comfort and comprehension in a strange land.
Drums and dance, colour and pageantry make an exciting exploration of Afro-cuban culture.
This tour can be included with a visit to the City of Guantanamo, or a visit to a mountain farm community, or visits to Baracoa.
Eco-Tours
Eco-tour 1 – Birding on the slopes of El Yunque
Rising like a giant anvil over the town of Baracoa, this ancient, eroded, mesa with forest clad vertiginous sides is still not completely explored. We concentrate on the lower slopes of the forest which provide a mixed habitat attracting a wide range of endemics and winter visitors.
Lunch is a barbeque on the banks of a crystal clear river (bring a swimsuit – or not!) followed by more birding around water tanks and a black coral beach.
Eco-tour 2 – Birding Humbolt Park
Created as an early World Heritage park, this was the last known home of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. 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. Ornithologist led walks and a boat ride make for a full experience. This tour starts very early. Breakfast en route, snack, and Lunch during the day.
Eco-Tour 3 – River Toa
The river Toa has the largest volume of water of all the rivers of Cuba. Rising in the Crystals, it makes its way to the coast just outside Baracoa. Naturalist led tour of this unique environment, with possible overnight stay. Breakfast en route, snack and lunch during the day. Overnight includes dinner.
Eco-Tour 5 – Hunting wild orchids.
Endemic orchids bloom in Baracoa in the winter months. Explore these unique environments with one of Cuba’s leading experts. Forested slopes of El Yunque and the edges of the Sierras are home to many of Cuba’s tiny treasures. This is the home of one of the world’s smallest frogs and many flora and fauna not found elsewhere.
Lunch is a barbeque on the banks of a crystal clear river (bring a swimsuit – or not!). We end up with a visit to an interesting house where the garden provides plants for traditional medicine.
Eco-Tour 6 – Life in the Mountains
A great way to spend a couple of days enjoying the fresh greens of the mountains and the daily life of country people. Explore with us a local farm established in the early part of the 20th century. The farmer has an extensive cafetal, premium organic citrus fruit, a growing herd of dairy cattle, and grows food for his family. Visit local crafts people making furniture, clothes and decorative pieces. Enjoy the music of the countryside.
Active Tours
These tours require a good fitness level and physical strength.
Active Tour 1 – Climbing El Yunque
The dominant feature of the landscape around Baracoa is the ancient mesa looming over the town. The sides are nearly vertical, and not all have been explored. Guided tour to top of El Yunque.
Active Tour 2 – Hiking Humbolt Park
Tumbling waterfalls, head water valleys, dryland scrub and mangrove swamps, make for a fascinating “walk in the park”!
Early morning start with breakfast en route, lunch in the park. Boat ride in the mangroves.