21° 51′ 60″ N, 78° 58′ 51″ O
12:51 GMT -4
local time
Havana
capital city
109,884
area in km²
Spanish
main language(s)
Cuba's highest peak rewards those who reach its summit with breathtaking views of the surrounding ridge lines, rainforest and Caribbean sea beyond. It is a strenous climb through the Sierra Maestra to reach your goal but well worth the effort.
The Zapata swamp is not only the location of the infamous Bay of Pigs, it is the largest wetlands area in the Caribbean covering 450 square kilometers. Home to numerous endemic species found nowhere else on the planet including the Cuban Crocodile, Zapata wren and Zapata sparrow. The swamp is also habitat for the Bee Hummingbird, the smallest bird in the world.
The Escambray mountains near Trinidad are home to numerous waterfalls such as El Nicho, La Bella and Topes de Collantes. The streams cascade down the forested mountain sides and form stunning turquoise pools surrounded by greenery. If wild swimming is your kind of thing, this must be one of the best locations in the world.
Looking south over the Caribbean sea and surrounded by mountains to the north, Santiago de Cuba is the capital of this southern province. The city is famous for its lively festivals and colonial architecture and was first founded by the Spanish in 1515.
