| 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 | | | | pharmaceutical museums of the occident and the |
| some cycling, bird watching and fluvial tours. | | | | birth home of José White, where the Cuban |
| Cycling: For those who take cycling seriously, a | | | | dance called the Danzón was ever first |
| cycling tour in this area would ideally begin in Havana | | | | played and danced around 1879 and the same place |
| and end in Varadero. The optimal is to take the Via | | | | where some years later, in 1920, the "Danzonete" |
| Blanca highway but not up to Matanzas City. Instead | | | | would be played by musician Aniceto Diaz. The tour |
| take a small road to the right about 5 km after the | | | | also covers the Cathedral of Matanzas and the |
| bridge over the Bacunayagua River and descend till | | | | Palacio del Junco (Historical Museum of the Province). |
| the Yumurí Valley. | | | | Other tours would include very interesting places like |
| Bird watching: The Yumurí Valley offers some | | | | the house where the distinguished poet Gertrudis |
| good areas for bird watching, with best population | | | | Gómez de Avellaneda lived, the Presbyterian |
| density by the trees next to the heights that border | | | | Church and the Hershey electrical train station, the |
| the Valley. | | | | only of its type functioning in Cuba. They also cover |
| Fluvial Tours: Although not located by the city center, | | | | the Parque del Escudom the Catholic Church of |
| the River Canímar, the most copious of all 4 | | | | Versalles and the Monserrat hill, an elavation used as |
| rivers that opens at the Matanzas Bay, is located at | | | | an excellent viewpoint, especially of the |
| a few kilometers away from the city. It is a | | | | Yumurí Valley, from where Domingo Ramos, |
| navigable river for smaller draught boats. Navigation | | | | the artist who made famous the Valley of |
| begins by the bridge that crosses the | | | | Viñales, painted several linens including one of |
| Canímar River, by the road that links | | | | the Valley and one of the City of Matanzas and its |
| Matanzas and Varadero, towards rustic restaurant by | | | | bay. Here can also be found the Monserrat hermitage |
| the river and covers some 13 km. During this | | | | where the well-known Spanish poet Federico |
| trajectory, views are quite beautiful with its best | | | | García Lorca visited and stated his preference |
| sites being those by the road that communicates | | | | for the Valley of Viñales. |
| Matanzas and Varadero where the river meanders | | | | If you wish to visit a beach in this area, you can go |
| can be observed. At the end of the course there is a | | | | to the Playita del Tennis. From there a road can be |
| line of Real Palm trees leading to the restaurant. In | | | | taken that leads to the intersection with the highway |
| this site besides having lunch, you can take | | | | Habana - Varadero. |
| horseback tours. The fluvial trips can be taken in boat | | | | Once in Varadero, it is recommended to go all the |
| either ways or half the trip by bus and return by | | | | way to the furthest extreme of the peninsula de |
| 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 cactus. |
| 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 |
| Martínez Coronel, poet and experienced guide, | | | | Marina Dársena which can provide the |
| recommends some very interesting proposals to visit | | | | necessary supplies 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 | | | | |