Things to see and do West

This beautiful valley, classified by Unesco, boasts a unique landscape and exceptional colors. It is not necessary to go very far from the village to be totally disoriented. A few hundred meters are enough to find yourself in the middle of the fields with red earth, near the tobacco crops with the mogotes - karstic reliefs inherited from the Jurassic period - emerging on the horizon. On your way, on foot, by bike, or on horseback, the peasants(guajiros) you meet will often be delighted to share the fruits of their crops!

The mogotes did not arise from nowhere, the cave of Santo Tomás is there to recall it. It is indeed the country's largest natural underground network. His caves and hoses span almost 45 km. Much more interesting than the Cueva del Indio, since everything remained in the natural state. Attention: the climb and descent are quite sporting because of a steep slope. Make good shoes and forget tongues.

If you are not very interested in diving but have been dragged to María La Gorda by friends who are fans of it, you can still enjoy the beach while they are on their excursion. Be aware, however, that there are a lot of rocks along the beach near the hotel and the restaurant... You will have to walk about 15 minutes along the water to reach the sandy beach. Once past the diving center and after taking the stairs, you will be alone in the world, with coconut trees as your only companions!

Commissioned by Fidel Castro to the Cuban artist Leovigildo González, the paintings that cover the wall on 80 m high and 120 wide represent the biogeological evolution of the area. Ammonite (cephalopod mollusc), plesiosaurus (large marine reptile), megalocnus rodens (mammal of the ice age) and finally Homos sapiens follow one another. Although spectacular, the whole is far from being exciting and it is not really a prehistoric fresco, so that largely decreases its interest... On the other hand, the way to reach it is pleasant.

Caridad and Carmen were the two most famous sisters in the city thanks to the botanical garden they had made in their home. Sadly, Caridad passed away in 2009 and her sister a few years later. Nowadays, a young man is visiting the garden. But don't miss this garden. You will learn about the history of the many fruit trees and the beautiful orchids and other local flowers that line their landscape. Tasting of fruits from the casa during the visit.

To be done after the caverna of Santo Tomás to refresh yourself, because it is nice inside and the visit of the cave does not require any physical effort compared to that of Santo Tomás...

This cave, rediscovered in 1920 by a local peasant, was home to Indians before the arrival of the Spanish. Electrified in 1952, it was opened to tourism in 1960, when an expansion project was being studied. Waterways offer as many corridors to explore. The hose is accessible by foot for nearly 500 m, before embarking on a small motorboat, which goes into the underground river (the San Vicente river). However, the visit is a little quick, given the beauty of the site. At the exit, you may see Tomas, a (huge) 10-year-old buffalo swimming in the river; he has been tamed and his master rides him, it's really unusual... But the buffalo is increasingly rare.

Good plan. If you leave the cave at the end of the day, you will find Cubans outside who will propose you to eat in their particular casa. Ask for "el Matancero", a local from Matanzas as his nickname suggests, who will take you to dinner in his casa where he and his wife prepare absolutely delicious fresh water crayfish. The singer Raúl Paz, originally from the region, is a regular and personally recommended the famous "Matancero" to us. No address, no phone, but "el Matancero" is known as the white wolf. Enjoy your meal!

In the mountains of the Sierra de los Organos, the national park (declared as such in the 1960s) of La Guira spreads its 22,000 hectares of forests, streams, lakes, Japanese, English and Cuban gardens. Manuel Cortina, a wealthy landowner, had his beautiful country house, the Hacienda Cortina, built there before the Revolution. From the top of the hill, the panorama of this region, known for its great variety of flora and fauna, is wonderful.

Following the paths along the Manantiales River, you will have the pleasure of discovering, after about 10 minutes of walking, hidden in the middle of the jungle, a waterfall of more than 20 meters high! The bathing there is authorized, and even recommended. In good weather, a rainbow stretches its colors over the waterfall, hence the nickname of the Soroa waterfall: El Arco Iris de Cuba("the rainbow of Cuba"). Bring a bathing suit and be careful when you move around, the rocks are very slippery.

A paradisiacal place with a name that is not very attractive. The Cañada del Infierno means indeed "the pass of hell". But why this name? Undoubtedly because the path so named turns out to be very very steep, with in particular a really steep descent! Once arrived at the end of the path, you will not be rewarded by a waterfall, but by the river El Bayate, not very deep, with bottoms covered with round stones, with fresh and limpid waters. Good shoes and water stock are recommended. Count 5 hours one way (return by vehicle).