| The western stretch of Pinar del Rio, and Cuba, is | | | | coral in the archipelago. In terms of safety, María la |
| called Guanahacabibes, an indigenous name that has | | | | Gorda boasts instructive personnel qualified by the |
| survived. Nowadays, the area is a Biosphere reserve | | | | "Confederación Mundial de Actividades |
| National Park and is highly protected. Many are its | | | | Subacuáticas" (World Confederation of Sub aquatic |
| charms, but its 14 virgin beaches are particularly | | | | Activities). As incredible as the diving is in Maria la |
| attractive to tourists and sea turtles. Along with the | | | | Gorda, no doubt the name and associated legend |
| turtles, there are another 670 species of flora and a | | | | have helped to publicize the place. Various versions |
| huge variety of animals that call the area home. | | | | of the legend of Maria la Gorda exist. She, along with |
| Guanahacabibes also gathers numerous archeological | | | | other women, was part of a haul, and eventually |
| sites where evidences of a possible ritual burial were | | | | abandoned at this beach. As time went by, with |
| found. It's been called "El Camino del Sol" (The Path | | | | some spare pounds and the funny nickname of |
| to the Sun) because of its geographical layout | | | | "María La Gorda" (María, the Fat), she started |
| oriented to the West. It's an excavated path on | | | | running the brothel which served the crews of the |
| limestone near the coast which flows into a kind of | | | | ships stopping by the area. |
| natural, semicircular amphitheater consisting of an | | | | In the "Cabo de San Antonio", the westernmost |
| ancient small bay. Elders in the area assure that when | | | | stretch of the peninsula, another hotel Paradise rises: |
| the burial was discovered several years ago, they | | | | Cabo de San Antonio village, just 3 km from Roncali |
| found beads and bracelets of a yellowish orange | | | | lighthouse defining the end of the archipelago in Las |
| metal, probably gold. | | | | Tumbas beach. This hotel of wooden bungalows is an |
| However, the main dish here is the International | | | | ideal place for resting and admiring nature. It also has |
| Diving Center of María la Gorda, a touristic spot | | | | a diving center of first class and it offers all the |
| dazzling because of the magnificence of its ocean | | | | services proper of a modern hotel. |
| bottoms featuring the largest population of black | | | | |