Information
City: BaracoaCountry: Cuba
Continent: North America
Baracoa, Cuba, North America
Overview
Baracoa is a small coastal town in southeastern Cuba’s Guantánamo Province, where fishing boats rock gently in the bay.Perched among the island’s earliest settlements, it’s prized for its lush coastal views, storied past, and deep cultural roots.People call Baracoa the “First City” of Cuba because the Spanish founded it before any other settlement, back in the colonial era, when the air smelled of salt and fresh-cut timber-marking it as a cornerstone of the island’s history.Here’s a closer look at Baracoa-picture pastel houses lining a quiet, sea‑salted street:
1.Baracoa sits on the northern coast of the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, where green mountains rise behind it and the Caribbean’s blue water stretches out in front.A rugged mountain range cuts the town off from the rest of Cuba, leaving it remote yet perfect for nature lovers, with the jagged peaks of the Sierra del Purial and Sierra de la Gran Piedra rising all around.Baracoa is home to several rivers, including the mighty Toa, whose waters run longer than any in Cuba.Towering green mountains and winding rivers help shape the region’s remarkable biodiversity.Baracoa also boasts pristine beaches-Playa Maguana’s soft white sand, the quiet stretch of Playa Blanca, and the clear waters of Playa de la Boca-perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or slipping on a mask to snorkel.These beaches stay far quieter than most Cuban hotspots, where you might hear only the soft rush of waves, making them a calm retreat.Baracoa itself was founded in 1511 by Diego Velázquez and first bore the name Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa.It became the island’s first Spanish settlement and remained Cuba’s colonial capital until 1514, when officials packed up the records and moved the seat of government to Santiago de Cuba.You can still see the town’s colonial past in its weathered stone walls and narrow streets, yet its roots run deeper-long before that, the Taíno people lived here, and their customs still echo in local festivals, music, and food.Before the Spanish ships appeared on the horizon, the Taínos shaped life in the region, tending crops and guiding trade across the islands.Baracoa’s vibrant culture grew from a blend of indigenous roots and Spanish traditions, from drumbeats echoing at dusk to recipes passed down for generations.During the Cuban Revolution, the town became a key player in the fight, its streets alive with the footsteps of change.The town, along with the hills and farms around it, became a stronghold of resistance against Fulgencio Batista’s regime.In 1958, Fidel Castro and his troops came ashore in Baracoa, beginning their push to free Cuba’s eastern region; one spot you can’t miss is Fuerte de la Punta, a 17th-century fortress perched on a hill above the bay, its stone walls once guarding the town from pirates and foreign ships.From here, you can take in sweeping views of the bay, with its glassy blue water, and the rolling hills that frame it.Today it’s a historic site drawing visitors curious about Baracoa’s colonial past.Just outside town, the Guá Cave spreads into cool, echoing chambers etched with ancient Taíno petroglyphs and scattered with remnants left by the region’s first people.You can explore the cave with a guide, who’ll share stories about Cuba’s earliest inhabitants as you walk past cool, damp limestone walls.At Plaza de la Independencia-the town’s lively heart-you’ll find landmarks like the towering Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and the stately Casa de la Cultura.Locals come here to meet and talk, and visitors get a real taste of Baracoa’s lively community.In the main square, the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción-built in the colonial era-stands with weathered stone walls and a blend of Spanish Baroque and neoclassical design.The cathedral stands at the heart of the town, hosting processions, festivals, and quiet moments of prayer.La Farola, a winding mountain pass with sweeping views of jungle and sea, links Baracoa to the rest of Cuba.The road twists through dense, emerald rainforest, revealing sweeping views of rugged mountains, quiet valleys, and the glittering coastline.If you’re visiting Baracoa, don’t miss El Yunque-a striking, flat-topped mountain just outside town where trails wind through lush rainforest, the air thick with the scent of wet earth and orchids.From the summit, you can take in sweeping views of the town, the glittering coastline, and the winding Toa River-the longest in Cuba and the heart of Baracoa’s lush landscape.You can hop on a boat and drift down the river as it snakes through dense, green jungle, stopping to watch bright parrots, take a swim, or cast a line for fish.Baracoa also hums with music-Cuban son, smooth bolero, and lively rumba fill the air.Traditional Cuban music pulses at the heart of the town’s social life, with visitors catching live bands in cozy bars or under the warm glow of streetlamps in the plaza.Cuban folk dances and lively music fill the streets during local festivals, none more cherished in Baracoa than the Fiesta de la Cruz de la Parra, held each year to honor the holy cross said to have arrived with Christopher Columbus.The Cruz de la Parra rests inside the cathedral, a cherished symbol for the people of Baracoa.The town is also famed for its handmade treasures-woven baskets that smell faintly of palm, smooth wooden carvings, and jewelry inspired by the ancient Taino.These handmade crafts showcase the blend of African, Spanish, and indigenous traditions that shaped the town’s culture, and, like much of Cuba, Baracoa serves classics such as tender ropa vieja, savory arroz con pollo, and crisp, golden tostones.Tucked far from the island’s busy hubs, the town blends Cuban flavors with Taino traditions, serving up coconut-rich dishes like sweet, creamy cucurucho that have made Baracoa famous.Coconut milk often finds its way into stews, soups, and rich sauces, while sweets like chewy turrón de coco-coconut candy-remain a favorite treat.The region’s famous for its cocoa and rich chocolate, often worked into local desserts like fudgy pastries.Being a coastal town, Baracoa thrives on fresh seafood-grilled fish, sweet lobster, and pink shrimp are regulars on the table.In Baracoa, a favorite local dish is camarones-shrimp simmered in rich coconut sauce.Thanks to the warm, humid climate, the town overflows with mangoes, papayas, guavas, and bananas, often blended into fresh juices or creamy smoothies.Reaching Baracoa by car takes time, though, as the road winds for hours through mountains.Most people get to Baracoa by driving from Santiago de Cuba, a trip that takes about four hours along winding mountain roads.
Landmarks in baracoa
