Baracoa - Cuba's First City

Baracoa, meaning "high land", comes from thechocolate, coconut, and coffee.
Taínos natives living in the surrounding mountains atLa Cruz de la Parra (Parra Cross), one out of 29
the time Christopher Columbus discovered the island.planted by Christopher Columbus in the land of
The first village of the island, Baracoa was foundedAmerica, is exhibited in the Iglesia Mayor (Main
on August 15, 1511 by Diego Velázquez, the firstChurch). Its authenticity has been scientifically proven
Spanish governor of the island. In 1518 it wasand it's the only one that has survived.
nominated a city, and it was also the first capital andAccessing the city by land is in itself an adventure
bishopric in the island.since you have to do it along a certainly peculiar path
Baracoa is not a big colonial city. Its charm stemswinding among mountains and which is named La
from having preserved, throughout so many years,Farola. This road has 11 hanging bridges and its
the essences of a provincial one-horse town, tied tohighest point is the "Altos de Cotilla", more than 600
the land and to some very pristine habits, not tometers over sea level.
mention the magnificence of its surrounding nature.The sights from the Hotel Castillo or from the
Also present are more than 60 Taino archeologicalRanchón are spectacular during the afternoons and
sites; the Tainos were the most advanced tribesevenings, and particularly lively in the "Rumbos", a
living on the island by the time the Spaniards came.corner devoted to either Cubans or foreigners. Every
Located at the foot of a clean bay, Baracoa is a citynight, a different traditional music group plays. In "La
of sinuous streets, and an animated and veryCasa de la Trova", there are groups of local
Caribbean life. Its people make their living bytroubadours playing as well. In the mornings, the
exploiting forest resources, producing cacao andentrance is free.