The most beautiful natural sites to discover 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!

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).