The Marea del Portillo beach is composed of dark sand and is just gorgeous with the Sierra Maestra mountains situated just behind.

Temperatures oscillates around 24° C to 26° C on the coastline and is a little bit warmer inland in the plains.

Manzanillo resides in the Sierra Maestra mountain range, in the province of Granma. Its shores bath in the Gulf of Guacanayabo.

Founded in 1784, it became a center for smuggling and slavery involving privateers from Jamaica. Following pirate and British attacks the city was fortified.

At the beginning of the War of Independence in the 19th century, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes proclaimed Cuba's independence against the Spaniards and the city was seized and burned by Cuban rebels to prevent it from falling into the colonialists' hands.

In Sierra Maestra Mountains, Fidel Castro conquered Batista's dictatorship. The city is now a national monument.

Desembarco del Granma National Park
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, this park features uplifted marine terraces and cliffs, a diverse fauna and abundant vegetation.

This region has a large system of caverns, the most interesting ones being the Hoyo de Marlotte, 77 meters deep and 52 meters wide, and the Cave of Fustete.

La Bayamesa, the Bayamo Song, was first performed in 1868 during the battle of Bayamo. It became Cuba's anthem in 1902.

Taxis and sometimes minibus are available. Budget travels by bus, in the popular destinations of the country, are also proposed by the Viazul Company.

Thousands of kilometres are to be discovered with a car, jeep or motorcycle rental.

This destination is mostly aimed for people looking for rest and relaxation.

Hotels offer all the usual water sports activities and 17 diving or snorkelling sites surround the area. The best ones are located near Cape Cruz.

Nature walks along the pathways that lead to the lush Sierra Maestra.

The provincial capital of Bayamo has a moorish town square with a gazebo, wedding-cake fountains and sphinx statues. The rebuilt church of San Salvador de Bayamo still has some original artefacts such as the only fresco in Cuba, inspired by patriotic events. Horse-drawn carriages take visitors sightseeing in a traditional fashion.

The Museo Provincial de Granma is located across from the park of Bayamo. The exhibition provides information on the historical events of the city. A must see is the birth home of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, known as The Father of the Homeland. The building survived the burning of the city in 1869 and still contains his personal possessions.

La Plata was Fidel Castro's guerrilla command post. Set deep in the Sierra Maestra, it can only be reached by rough paths and roads.

Compared to other Cuban destinations this is a rather quiet town during evenings but there is usually some form of live musical entertainment taking place.

<Santiago de Cuba
Cuba's second largest city is nicknamed the Cultural Capital of the Caribbean. It is know for its many festivals and cultural conferences. A tour of the city includes stops at Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, El Cobre church, San Pedro de la Roca del Morro forteress, the museum of Colonial Art and Cespedes Park. Also a must is the Biosphere reserve in Baconao Park.

Baracoa
This was the first city founded in Cuba in 1512 and is located on the eastern extremity of the island. The church presents the first Christian relic of America, the Cross of Parra. Other sites include the Matachin fortress, La Punta, Mirador d'El Castillo and its wonderful beaches of Duaba and Managua.

You will find simple and comfortable lodging in the city.

Local dishes include roast pork and fried white mullet, a typical fish from Manzanillo.

Cuban cigars, rum and coffee are the most popular souvenirs, followed by wood handicraft and congas.