| For those who want to visit these islands or keys, | | | | Northern Road, and looking into the map you may |
| from Matanzas or Varadero, there are two choices: | | | | find two choices: to visit Santa Clara, the capital of |
| using the Central Road or the North Road. In both | | | | the Villa Clara province, or to continue directly to |
| cases, the destination should be not only Caibarien ( | | | | Caibarien and visit the city on your way back from |
| to visit the smaller keys and islands ) but also Moron | | | | the East of the country. We suggest the second |
| and Nuevitas ( to visit the largest islands ), because | | | | one. This city has several museums, very well- |
| from them depart the “ pedraplenes “ ( | | | | preserved churches and cultural centers besides its |
| stone roads ) that reach the different keys and | | | | high architectural values. |
| islands. | | | | If you follow this suggestion, arriving in The Sitiecito |
| These roads are more attractive than the National | | | | village, you should take the road that leads to |
| Highway, which is used most of the time by | | | | Caibarien. From here, there are 90 km left to |
| traditional tourist groups. | | | | Caibarien. During the trip there are other interesting |
| If, on the contrary, you prefer to enjoy something | | | | villages such as: Encrucijada, Vueltas and Remedios, |
| different with the taste of adventure, you should | | | | this last one only at 10 km from Caibarien. They all |
| make one of the two first choices. The less frequent | | | | are adjacent one after the other. There is a lot to |
| is to use the North Road, that is, the one we | | | | see in them, including Sagua la Grande. Here, for |
| recommend if you like doing something different | | | | instance, we propose to visit the birth home of the |
| from the rest of the visitors. Assuming you accept it, | | | | famous Cuban painter Wilfredo Lam; in Caibarien, also |
| our first destination will be Caibarien. | | | | known as Villa Blanca, you can find the Polivalente |
| The distance between Varadero and Caibarien, is too | | | | Museum ( Multi – Purpose Museum), while in |
| long, that is why we recomend staying overnight in | | | | Remedios you can visit churches and museums. |
| one of the local hotels or camping sites. The best | | | | Among the first, The Major Parish Church and The |
| place we would suggest is the Elguea Hotel, which | | | | Good Journey Church. Regarding museums, we |
| belongs to the Islazul Hotels Chain, almost 110 km | | | | recommend visiting Las Parrandas Museum (Museum |
| from Varadero. It is located in a resort of sulphurous- | | | | of Local Carnivals), The Alejandro Garcia Caturla |
| mineral- medicinal waters of proved healing properties. | | | | Music Museum ( an outstanding Cuban musician) and |
| It is recommended to make a reservation from | | | | The Municipal Museum Francisco Javier Balmaceda. |
| Varadero, it is better to assure always the hotel | | | | Refering to hotels, in Remedios Historical Center, |
| room, particularly Elguea which has a great demand. | | | | there is the Mascotte Hotel, while in Caibarien you |
| To arrive there from Varadero and spend the night | | | | find the Brisas del Mar Hotel. |
| there, it is necessary to take the Northern Road, | | | | If , instead of spending the night in Caibarien, you |
| next to the North shore, as we explained in former | | | | prefer a more quiet place in contact with nature, you |
| articles. The first village you can visit is Cardenas, | | | | may check ou the camping site Cayo Conuco, |
| interesting town because of its museums and | | | | surrounded by the forest and an indigenous fauna, |
| because of the fact that it was here where the | | | | where you get through the “ pedraplen” ( |
| Cuban flag waved for the first time. | | | | stone road ), just a few kilometers before arriving in |
| Continuing the trip, the road goes inland and crosses | | | | Caibarien, |
| the sugar cane fields and some sugar factories. The | | | | From this moment on, you will start visiting, in the |
| villages that it goes through, in the following order, | | | | rest of the country, the largest number of protected |
| are: Maximo Gomez, Esteban Hernandez, Itabo and | | | | areas and other well- preserved areas of high natural |
| Hoyo Colorado. There is not a lot of traffic during the | | | | value such as the Natural Parks. |
| trip. The road is plain or with small hills. Almost every | | | | We recommend consulting a map known as |
| village or community is picturesque and each has the | | | | “Cuba. The Nature Map”, distributed by the |
| appearance of the infrequently visited places. There | | | | Cuban Ministry of Tourism. In it, you find some of |
| is always a place where to stop and have a snack, | | | | the places we suggest to visit. It is good to point out |
| like fruit or the sugar cane juice known in Cuba as | | | | that some of these areas are under specific |
| “ guarapo”. | | | | categories within the National System of Protected |
| During the trip, you should pay attention after you | | | | Areas. In the map you will find more detailed |
| pass Hoyo Colorado. At about 31 km, there is a turn | | | | information of how to enjoy your stay. |
| to the left that leads you to Elguea, not far from the | | | | According to the book National System of |
| sea. It is a very warming and quiet place. The next | | | | Protected Areas, Plan 2003-2008”, dated June |
| day you get on the road again to continue towards | | | | 2002, in this area as well as in the localities next to |
| Caibarien. The distance is of about 160 km, so you | | | | the Main Island of Cuba, there are more than 25 |
| have time to visit some interesting places. | | | | protected areas, among them, Natural Parks, Ecologic |
| In general, there are some small beaches along the | | | | Reserves, Natural Landscapes, Flora Reserves, Fauna |
| coast which are permanently enjoyed by locals. We | | | | Reserves, Outstanding Natural Elements and |
| recommend visiting them for they are very different | | | | Protected Areas of Handled Resources. To have an |
| from the rest of Cuba. Among them we can mention | | | | idea of the wonders of this area we can mention |
| El Salto, Ganuza, Sierra Morena and La Panchita. The | | | | The Buena Vista Biosphere Reserve and the Natural |
| three first ones have camping sites. | | | | Parks Los Caimanes and Caguanes, the Ecological |
| After you pass Corralillo, Rancho Veloz and Quemado | | | | Reserves of Cayo Mono Galindo, the mid-West of |
| de Guines, you arrive in Sagua la Grande. If you like | | | | Cayo Coco and Manternillo- Tortuguilla, the Fauna |
| to see a fluvial port, we recommend visiting Isabela | | | | Shelter “Las Picuas”, Cayo del Cristo and |
| de Sagua. To do so, you should take a small road of | | | | Lanzanillo- Pajonal- Fragoso, among others. Next to |
| 20 km that will lead you directly to the port. It is | | | | these keys, in the Main Island, there are the |
| located at the outlet of the Sagua la Grande River. It | | | | Ecological Reserves of Mogotes de Jumagua and |
| is a small fishing town. | | | | Limones- Tuabaquey. That is why this archipelago is |
| Coming back to Sagua la Grande, you take again the | | | | the ideal destination for those who love nature. |