Gran Parque Nacional de Sierra Maestra
Enter the wild forest of Gran Parque Nacional de Sierra Maestra in Cuba and find out more about the history of its paths
Gran Parque Nacional de Sierra Maestra, Granma
© Sol de Cuba
The Gran Parque Nacional de Sierra Maestra (Sierra Maestra Grand National Park) is located in the south of the province of Granma in Cuba. The great mountain range bathed by Caribbean sea is a true oasis of biodiversity and it is one of the most adored natural spots by the Cuban.
Gran Parque Nacional de Sierra Maestra
© Chris
Explore the mountains and discover not only its thick endemic vegetation, but the wide range of native species coexisting in this region. Along your way all sorts of exotic animals will accompany you, among which we highlight the endemic Caribbean birds, such as the zunzún (Cuban emerald) or the national bird tocororo (Cuban trogon).
In the deep mountains the history of guerrillas that used to inhabit cottages carries on beating. There you will find the Comandancia General de la Plata High Command, the command post of Fidel Castro and his acolytes during the Revolution. Many wooden cottages hidden from aerial view and in perfect symphony with the rest of the impregnable mountain, guarding the memory of national heroes.
Feel the nature and be amazed by the infinite splendour of landscapes of this territory that, although many of its places might be extremely remote, there are numerous places waiting for your visit in the province of Granma in Cuba.
Index:
- What to see in Sierra Maestra?
- What are the best plans to make in Sierra Maestra?
- What historical importance does Sierra Maestra have?
What to see in Sierra Maestra?
Pico Turquino, Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra
© Sol de Cuba
The Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra (Sierra Maestra Grand National Park) is an impregnable mountain range located in the south of the province of Granma that goes through the provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo. Its amazing forests are a valuable tourist attraction to which we add the native fauna of the place whose existence is unique in many ways in the whole of Caribbean. This mountain range is a green lung housing leafy forests of enormous fern and cascades of turquoise water; for that we must conclude that this is one of the key natural sanctuaries in the country.
The history inside this mountain range is of great value for Cubans, as many battles took place there in order to achieve the independence of the country. Also, among the deeps of the wild forest we find the Comandancia General de la Plata High Command, the command post where Fidel Castro and his guerrilla acolytes settled and organised the Revolution.
Go through its forest paths till you get to the Alto del Naranjo viewpoint from where you get amazing views towards the infinite mountain range of Sierra Maestra. From there, surrounded by green vegetation, you could go all the way to La Platica, a small community known for the ecotourism it offers where you can learn many new things about coffee plantations coming from there.
At Alto del Naranjo you can also encounter the route that will take you all the way to Pico Real del Turquino, the highest point in Cuba. Along the way you will find a small bust in honour of José Martí, a national hero, apart from many places where you can rest and cool yourself down during your climb to the dizzy top of 1,974 metres above sea level.
If you decide to go to this natural park you have to keep in mind its particular geology: whilst in the southern area flow rivers of moderate flow and short courses, those in the northern area flow more and are bigger. At this natural park we have the Pico Turquino, the highest point in the country, the Pico Suecia and the Parque Nacional La Bayamesa (La Bayamesa National Park).
What are the best plans to do in Sierra Maestra?
A good place to visit is Santo Domingo, a small village replete with splendour located at a green valley next to the wild Yara River. It makes up an ideal sample of the tranquil countryman life that has hardly changed since it was inhabited by the Cuban pro-independence leaders. Take a closer look at this settlement and chat with its people who will tell you first hand stories about the revolutionary history and they will pass you their simple lifestyle.
Discover the amazing Parque Nacional Turquino (National Park Turquino) located in the municipality of Manzanillo. The park is located precisely in the western centre of Sierra Maestra and it stands out for, among many other things, having the Pico Real del Turquino, the highest geographical point in the whole island. This territory is a daily witness of how adventure tourism is getting more popular in Cuba everyday. Without a doubt, this is one of the most popular areas when it comes to tourists searching for adventures and straight contact with nature.
There are many frequent excursions, but it is advisable to make a reservation, as the army controls the area and it would not be rare for the access to be limited or at least difficult. Luckily, the tourist guides offering such routes know the areas very well as they come from there and have a lot of experience. There are different starting points depending on the duration of the excursion and you can even spend a night in the middle of nature.
The true significance of the park lies in the fact that it is a protected area where abundant vegetation is present accompanied by various bird species. Equally you may find all sorts of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and molluscs in their natural habitat happily together.
In case of doubting, another good reason to visit this place is because it was the stage where rebellious revolutionaries came up with an idea to give the country its earned independence. For all that it was declared a National Monument in 1991.
Another natural heaven you can not miss is the Parque Nacional Pico La Bayamesa (Pico La Bayamesa National Park), one of the most stunning natural parks in Cuba. Located in the heart of Sierra Maestra in Manzanillo, 1,752 metres tall, right below the Parque Nacional Turquino (Turquino National Park) which it borders to the west. Like this one, its access could be costly and planning the excursions in advance is advisable to be able to get the most of you holiday and explore every single corner of this paradisiacal place.
Covered in leafy vegetation that it offers you already from below are unbelievable views, the rivers and streams combined with its middle-sized animals and frankly unknown insects will make your way to the top an unforgettable memory. On the top of it you see a sculpture of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes as well made by Odarés Pujos Velázquez, in commemoration of his great deeds in the Cuban country.
What historical significance does Sierra Maestra have?
Apart from being proclaimed Natural Patrimony, Sierra Maestra is also considered Historical Patrimony, as on its soils Ejército Rebelde de Fidel Castro (Rebel Army of Fidel Castro) was organised during the Cuban Revolution. Actually, the place where the revolutionaries settled and made plans for the strategy of attack against the Batista troops, is the Comandancia de la Plata, nowadays a place you can visit.
Despite its fame and significance being a guerrilla fuge, Sierra Maestra has had an important role in the subsistence of the local population. Since the 18th century French settlers began to plant coffee, cultivations that increased in the 20th century when, after the end of colonial period, the countrymen started to plant it. If you are interested in alternative excursions, plan your visit and discover the secrets of a coffee plantation.
Interactive map:
Granma:
Bayamo
What to see:
Manzanillo
What to see:
Niquero
What to see:
Other nearby destinations:
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