| With its perfect sandy beaches and numerous Cuban | | | | However, the highlight of Varadero is definitely the |
| luxury hotels, the resort of Varadero has always | | | | native flora and fauna of the area. Varadero is |
| been a popular destination for tourists. However, | | | | located in Cuba�s Matanzas |
| what many people don�t realise | | | | Province, which is best known as the region where |
| is that there is far more to this Cuban holiday resort | | | | The Bay of Pigs Invasion took place. The Cienaga De |
| than meets the eye. | | | | Zapata nature reserve, located in this area, is the |
| Whilst many visitors on their Cuba holidays are more | | | | only place in the world that you can spot the rare |
| than content to lie on the warm, sandy beaches of | | | | bee hummingbird. On your Cuba holiday, joining a |
| Varadero and make the most of the various | | | | bird-watching tour is your best bet of spotting one |
| all-inclusive cocktail bars offered at their luxury Cuban | | | | of these elusive birds. This is because the qualified |
| hotels, there is also plenty to explore in the | | | | guides, that lead the tours, not only know all the |
| surrounding area for the more active tourist. | | | | signs to watch out for, but also the most popular |
| One of the main attractions of Varadero is the | | | | nesting areas in the national park. As well as bee |
| stunning caves that make up the region, of which the | | | | hummingbirds, a tour of the Cienaga De Zapata |
| most popular are the Bellamar Caves, featuring | | | | National Park will give you the opportunity to spot |
| stalagmite formations and carsick crystals. But whilst | | | | native birds, such as the Cuban crow and the |
| these natural elements may both be considered | | | | Neotropical Cormorant. This National Park is |
| breathtaking, what really sets the Bellamar Caves | | | | considered by many avid ornithologists to be the |
| apart from any other are the painted frescoes on | | | | best place in the world for bird-watching, and as such |
| the cave walls. These, along with the fossilised | | | | the guides who work in the area are passionate |
| remains, show evidence that they were inhabited | | | | about what they do. Many of them can even |
| many years ago. | | | | emulate the cries and catcalls of numerous Cuban |
| The Delfinario is definitely worth visiting on your Cuba | | | | birds, which is definitely worth seeing on your |
| holidays, particularly if you plan on travelling with | | | | holidays in Cuba. |
| young children. This venue is both the place to go to | | | | Located a short walk away from Cienaga De Zapata |
| swim with dolphins and to attend one of the | | | | is the Criadero Cocodrillo Centre; the largest crocodile |
| world-famous dolphin shows. The dolphins are kept in | | | | centre in Cuba. Criadero has been instrumental in the |
| a natural fresh-water lagoon and approach their | | | | breeding of the Cuban crocodile, a crocodile, which is |
| keeper when they want to appear in the show, and | | | | currently only found in the wild at the Cienaga De |
| not vice-versa. Whilst adults can enjoy a couple of | | | | Zapata Swamps. Holding one of the |
| hours swimming with these playful porpoises, smaller | | | | centre�s baby crocodiles is both |
| children can be carried into the water in life-jackets | | | | a rare and thrilling privilege, which will provide the |
| for photographs. | | | | perfect ending to your Cuba holiday. |