| In this city and its surroundings, it is recommended to | | | | established in 1864) a must visit in this urban and |
| take not only tours of the city sections between the | | | | architectonic ensemble and one of the best |
| rivers Yumurí and San Juan but also to do some | | | | pharmaceutical museums of the occident and the |
| cycling, bird watching and fluvial tours. | | | | birth home of José White, where the Cuban dance |
| Cycling: For those who take cycling seriously, a | | | | called the Danzón was ever first played and danced |
| cycling tour in this area would ideally begin in Havana | | | | around 1879 and the same place where some years |
| and end in Varadero. The optimal is to take the Via | | | | later, in 1920, the “Danzonete” would be |
| Blanca highway but not up to Matanzas City. Instead | | | | played by musician Aniceto Diaz. The tour also covers |
| take a small road to the right about 5 km after the | | | | the Cathedral of Matanzas and the Palacio del Junco |
| bridge over the Bacunayagua River and descend till | | | | (Historical Museum of the Province). |
| the Yumurí Valley. | | | | Other tours would include very interesting places like |
| Bird watching: The Yumurí Valley offers some good | | | | the house where the distinguished poet Gertrudis |
| areas for bird watching, with best population density | | | | Gómez de Avellaneda lived, the Presbyterian Church |
| by the trees next to the heights that border the | | | | and the Hershey electrical train station, the only of its |
| Valley. | | | | type functioning in Cuba. They also cover the Parque |
| Fluvial Tours: Although not located by the city center, | | | | del Escudom the Catholic Church of Versalles and the |
| the River Canímar, the most copious of all 4 rivers | | | | Monserrat hill, an elavation used as an excellent |
| that opens at the Matanzas Bay, is located at a few | | | | viewpoint, especially of the Yumurí Valley, from |
| kilometers away from the city. It is a navigable river | | | | where Domingo Ramos, the artist who made famous |
| for smaller draught boats. Navigation begins by the | | | | the Valley of Viñales, painted several linens including |
| bridge that crosses the Canímar River, by the road | | | | one of the Valley and one of the City of Matanzas |
| that links Matanzas and Varadero, towards rustic | | | | and its bay. Here can also be found the Monserrat |
| restaurant by the river and covers some 13 km. | | | | hermitage where the well-known Spanish poet |
| During this trajectory, views are quite beautiful with | | | | Federico García Lorca visited and stated his |
| its best sites being those by the road that | | | | preference for the Valley of Viñales. |
| communicates Matanzas and Varadero where the | | | | If you wish to visit a beach in this area, you can go |
| river meanders can be observed. At the end of the | | | | to the Playita del Tennis. From there a road can be |
| course there is a line of Real Palm trees leading to | | | | taken that leads to the intersection with the highway |
| the restaurant. In this site besides having lunch, you | | | | Habana – Varadero. |
| can take horseback tours. The fluvial trips can be | | | | Once in Varadero, it is recommended to go all the |
| taken in boat either ways or half the trip by bus and | | | | way to the furthest extreme of the peninsula de |
| return by navigating the river. | | | | Hicacos, some 22 km long, where the Ecological |
| Boats are roofless so it is recommended to take a | | | | Reserve known as Varahicacos is located. This |
| raincoat and umbrella to protect you from the sun or | | | | reserve covers about 30% of the peninsulas area, |
| casual rain. | | | | with trails where very interesting Cuban coastal |
| The City of Matanzas: The city is only modestly | | | | vegetation can be observed, especially the catus. |
| visited by groups of tourists in organized tours. The | | | | Varadero is also Cuba’s best known beach and |
| Historic Center can be visited by foot and has good | | | | counts with over 22 kms of the mentioned north |
| architectonic and cultural value. | | | | peninsula; an open port with three international |
| Bachelor in French Language, Mr. José Antonio | | | | marinas: Marina Gaviota, Marina Chapelín and Marina |
| Martínez Coronel, poet and experienced guide, | | | | Dársena which can provide the necessary supplies |
| recommends some very interesting proposals to visit | | | | for arriving crafts. |
| the city. One of them consists in parting by foot | | | | Facilities are also available for practicing parachute and |
| from the Sauto Theatre (formerly the Esteban | | | | golf among other sports proposals. |
| Theatre), for a gradual discovery of this architectonic | | | | A stay of one or more days in of of the available |
| and artistic jewel of the Cuban identity with guided | | | | cuba hotels is ideal in this great spot before |
| explanations of the places and sites. | | | | continuing your route east towards one of the most |
| This walking tour covers many places of interest like | | | | beautiful and yet little known archipelagos in Cuba, |
| the Park or Plaza of Independence where the city | | | | the so called Sabanas – Camaguey or Jardines del |
| Hall and the Velasco ad Louvre Hotels are located as | | | | Rey. |
| well as the Provincial Library Gener y del Monte. | | | | To be continued in our next articles! |
| Nearby are the Pharmaceutical Museum (drugstore | | | | |