Top 10 Cuba

146 Pages·2017·27.75 MB·English

by  DK Travel

EYEWITNESS TRAVEL
TOP
CUBA
CHRISTOPHER P. BAKER
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Top 10 Cuba The Top 10
Highlights of Everything
Welcome to Cuba ...........................5 Moments in History .....................36
Exploring Cuba ...............................6 Revolutionary Sites .....................38
Cuba Highlights............................10 Moments in
La Habana Vieja, Havana .............12 Fidel Castro’s Life .....................40
The Modern City, Writers and Artists .......................42
Havana ......................................14 American Legacies ......................44
Cordillera de Museums ......................................46
Guaniguanico ............................16 Santería ........................................48
Zapata Peninsula .........................18 Nature Trails ................................50
Trinidad .........................................20 Animals and Birds ......................52
Jardines del Rey ...........................24 Beach Resorts ..............................54
Camagüey.....................................26 Children’s Attractions ..................56
Holguín .........................................28 Musical Styles ..............................58
Santiago de Cuba .........................30 Places to Meet
Baracoa ........................................32 the Locals .................................60
Cuban Dishes ...............................62
Things to Buy................................64
Cuba for Free ...............................66
Festivals and Holidays .................68
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CONTENTS
Cuba Streetsmart
Area by Area
Havana ..........................................72 Getting To and Around Cuba .....120
Western Cuba ...............................84 Practical Information .................122
Central Cuba West .......................92 Places to Stay .............................128
Central Cuba East ......................102
The Far East ...............................110 General Index .............................134
Phrase Book ..............................142
The information in this DK Eyewitness
Top 10 Travel Guide is checked regularly.
Every effort has been made to ensure
that this book is as up-to-date as possible
at the time of going to press. Some details,
however, such as telephone numbers,
opening hours, prices, gallery hanging
arrangements, and travel information, are
Within each Top 10 list in this book, no hierarchy liable to change. The publishers cannot
of quality or popularity is implied. All 10 are, accept responsibility for any consequences
in the editor’s opinion, of roughly equal merit. arising from the use of this book, nor for any
Throughout this book, floors are referred to in material on third party websites, and cannot
accordance with American usage; i.e., the “first guarantee that any website address in this
floor” is at ground level. book will be a suitable source of travel
information. We value the views and
Front cover and spine Former Summer Palace, suggestions of our readers very highly.
Palacio del Valle at Punta Gorda in Cienfuegos Please write to: Publisher, DK Eyewitness
Back cover Trinidad backed by the Sierra del Travel Guides, Dorling Kindersley, 80 Strand,
Escambray mountains London WC2R 0RL, UK, or email
Title page Beach with palm trees on Cayo [email protected]
Levisa Island
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Top 10 Cuba ❮❮ 5
Welcome to
Cuba
From high-kicking showgirls at the Tropicana cabaret
to murals of Che Guevara, sensuality and socialism rub
shoulders as defining aspects of Cuba. Add the world’s best
cigars, plus classic cars cruising cities frozen in the 1950s,
and it’s no wonder this Caribbean island is a hot destination.
With Eyewitness Top 10 Cuba, it’s yours to explore.
Havana – the irrepressible capital city – awes us with its stunning
architecture and sense of being a yesteryear Hollywood stage set.
Walking the cobbled colonial streets of La Habana Vieja is a journey
back through the centuries, while Vedado recalls the wealth of
a glittering pre-revolutionary heyday. Chock-full of outstanding
museums, art galleries, and lively bars where Ernest Hemingway
drank his mojitos and daiquiris, Havana is a world-class city
throbbing to the rhythms of rumba and salsa.
Cuba is a marvelously diverse island, from the stunningly beautiful
Valle de Viñales, where oxen plough tobacco fields, to the gorgeous
beaches of Cayo Coco. Well-preserved colonial-era cities such as
Trinidad and Camagüey – both UNESCO World Heritage Sites –
echo the footsteps of conquistadores. In the east, Santiago de Cuba
is known for its iconic revolutionary sites and a culture that owes
much to its predominantly African heritage. Beyond the forest-clad
Sierra Maestra lies charming Baracoa, founded in 1511 and
boasting a jaw-dropping setting surrounded by mountains.
Whether you’re planning a week’s visit or a longer stay, our Top 10
guide reveals the best of everything that Cuba can offer, from María
la Gorda in the west to Punta Maisí in the east. You will find tips
throughout, from seeking out what’s free to finding the best private
restaurants, plus five easy-to-follow itineraries designed to tie
together a slew of best sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring
photography and detailed maps, and you’ve got the essential
pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Cuba.
Clockwise from top: Playa Ancón; Gran Teatro, Havana; divers in María la Gorda; street in
Trinidad; Cuban cigars; Ford Fairline car; musicians at La Bodeguita del Medio, Havana
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6 ❯❯ Top 10 Cuba
Exploring Cuba
Cuba boasts a remarkable capital city, gorgeous beaches, and
exquisite colonial towns. Whether you simply want to immerse
yourself in Havana or go farther afield, these two- and seven-day
itineraries will help you make the most of this fascinating country.
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Day 2
Two Days in Havana
MORNING
Explore the quaint colonial plazas of La
Day 1 Habana Vieja (see pp12–13), starting
MORNING with Plaza de Armas (see p72) and
Hop aboard the Havana BusTour the Catedral de La Habana (see p73).
(see p120) and enjoy an overview AFTERNOON
sightseeing tour of the entire city. Wander along Calle Mercaderes (see
You can alight at any sight you wish p74) to reach Plaza Vieja (see p73).
to visit; another bus will be along Charming Calle Brasil then connects
soon, and it’s all covered by one you to Plaza de San Francisco (see
all-day ticket. p74), with its magnificent basilica.
AFTERNOON
Visit the Modernist Palace of Fine
Arts, part of the Museo Nacional Seven Days in Cuba
de Bellas Artes (see p74) for its
remarkable collection of Cuban art, Days 1 and 2
and Museo de la Revolución (see Follow the two-day Havana itinerary.
p75), for a profile on the Revolution.
Explore Parque Central (see p75) Day 3
and walk Paseo de Martí (see p76). Visit the Museo Ernest Hemingway
End the day with a sunset stroll (see p76), then head east via the
along the Malecón (see p76). Zapata Peninsula (see pp18–19),
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Exploring Cuba ❮❮ 7
Trinidad is a pretty town where
cobbled streets are lined with
pastel-colored buildings.
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Havana Plaza de
San Francisco
stopping for lunch before calling at (see pp26–7). Admire the city’s
Museo Girón (see p19) for a history recently spruced up historic center,
lesson on the Bay of Pigs invasion being sure to include charming
(see p41). Travel to the port city of Plaza del Carmen.
Cienfuegos (see p94) and admire
the buildings around Plaza Martí Day 6
before dinner at the astonishing Start early and head across the
Palacio del Valle (see p99). Pedraplén (see p25) to the Jardines
del Rey (see pp24–5). Laze on your
Day 4 choice of glorious beaches and swim
Drive to Trinidad (see pp20–21) in the warm turquoise sea at Playa
to immerse yourself in its delightful de los Flamencos or on the island
colonial mystique as you wander of Cayo Guillermo (see p24).
around Plaza Mayor. After lunch,
continue exploring Trinidad’s cobbled Day 7
streets. End your day by cooling off Head west to Remedios (see p95)
at Playa Ancón (see pp104–5). to savor its colonial ambience, then
continue to Santa Clara (see p94).
Day 5 View the Monumento del Che
Journey via the scenic Valle de los (see p39), beneath which the
Ingenios (see p103) and follow the remains of revolutionary hero
Carretera Central to the UNESCO Ernesto “Che” Guevara (see p41) are
World Heritage city of Camagüey interred, before returning to Havana.
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Top 10 Cuba
Highlights
Catedral de La Habana, Havana
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