Baconao
The
coast of Santiago de Cuba Province is wild, very warm and apparently untouched,
dotted with enticing coves that have beaches of pebbles or sand and backdrops
of peaks covered with lush vegetation. This setting of the baconao preserve
of the biosphere, whose many attractions include these small but intimate
beaches and natural attractions to be bound inland.
The Sigua,
Daiquiri, Bucanero and Sierra Mar diving areas extend for many miles along
the coast, which also has comfertable hotels and many scuba
diving centers with expert staffs and modern equipment. The 73 scuba diving
sites are at places where the seabed is well conserved; visibility is
excellent because the water is so clear; and there are hillocks, large
sandy areas, ridges, drops and impressive walls. Moreover, there are around
70 sunken ships on this part of the insular shelf, including sveral from
the Spanish Fleet that ships of the US Navy defeated and sank off Santiago
de Cuba in 1898, during the Spanish-Cuba-American
War.
Location & how to get there
Located
around 545 miles (880 km) east of Havana, Santiago de Cuba is linked
to the rest of the island by road, rail, air and sea. Its Antonio
Maceo International Airport is one of the best in the Caribbean,
and it also has a port at which cruise ships put in and a marina
(at 20 58'N. latitude, 75 52.3'W. longtitude |
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What to do
Activities
in Baconao preserve of the biosphere an enormous natural park just a few
minutes drive from the city of Santiago de Cuba include snorkeling, scuba
diving (starting with beginners courses), windsurfing, kayaks, sailing,
pedal boating, fresh water sports fishing, horseback riding on mountain
paths, boating, swimming both in the sea and swimming pools, electronic
and table games, tennis, basketball, beach volleyball, cycling and hiking.
In the evenings there is entertainment in bars, around swimming pools
and in discoteques, and the nearvu city offers even more options.
The park
has an area calles Valley of Prehistory, which contains life-size statues
of prehistoric animals and men. Other attractions include and old car
museum.
Accommodation & Facilities
There
are several 3- and 4 star hotels at Baconao beach, all on the coast
or at the beaches. The hotels services include buffet and sit-down
restaurants featuring different kind of cuisines; grills, bars, swimming
pools, jacuzzi's, games rooms, gear for land sports and for scuba
diving and for other water sports, cabarets, discoteques, dance classes,
doctors on call 24 hours a day, taxis, barbershops, beauty parlors,
laundries and dry cleaners, safe and shops. |
