Provincia de Matanzas, Cuba

Get to know the Provincia de Matanzas and its different vacation options in one of the most beautiful environments in Cuba

The Provincia de Matanzas might be thought of as having little to offer because it is neighbouring Cuba's capital, the acclaimed city of Havana, however, the second largest province on the island has a great variety of places to visit. Whether you are interested in Cuban history, culture and art, nature, paradisiacal landscapes, beaches or just a few days of relaxation. Here you'll be able to find everything you're looking for.

The region is on a plain with small elevations in the centre and northwest which has its two major tourist centres located in the north and south. The northern coast is probably the most internationally known spot with the resort town of Varadero. Every year, a multitude of tourists come to relax on the heavenly beaches of the Hicacos peninsula and enjoy the water activities available at more than 50 hotels in Varadero. If you're looking for a quiet vacation to enjoy the Caribbean climate and all the services imaginable offered by these 4 and 5-star resorts located on the beachfront, Varadero is the place for you.

Visiting the north of the province, you also have the possibility to get out of the sun and beach routine and get to know the atmosphere of a real Cuban city. A few kilometres from Varadero you will find the capital of the province under the same name, Matanzas. It is a colonial town with beautiful buildings, most of them in an elegant neoclassical style, which is why it is known as the Athens of Cuba. And both in the capital and in the nearby city of Cárdenas, the Ciudad de las Primicias (City of the First Fruits), you can learn a little more about the history and culture of this region.

Cárdenas is famous, in particular, for May 19, 1850, when hundreds of sea mercenaries arrived carrying the city's flag in their hands. They had the intention of proclaiming Cuban independence, hence its common name, Ciudad Bandera (Flag City). While it is true that at first, the conquerors did not show special interest in it, there is also the fact that later explorers who were willing to get to know the territory a little better, realized the many resources it could offer on an economic level.

Crossing this part of the island you will find jewels like the abandoned San Miguel de los Baños, famous for its healing waters. In the south of the province, we arrive at the Península de Zapata, where the famous Bahía de Cochinos is located. In this spot, you will find beaches of the same quality as in Varadero, although surrounded by a more natural environment because the Gran Parque Natural Montemar (Great Montemar Natural Park) occupies a large part of the peninsula and is home to thousands of the Caribbean and migratory species. In addition, important historical events took place in this area, such as the battle of Playa Girón between Cuba and the United States, so apart from being a famous space for the landscape, you can also learn a little about Cuban history.

The name of this province comes from an event that occurred in the first years after the arrival of the Spaniards to the island, as told by Diego Velázquez in his letters to King Carlos V. In the letters he tells how a group of Spanish explorers in 1510 shipwrecked and arrived at a village called Yucayo located between two rivers. Their chief, Guayucayex, helped them to continue their journey by sailing in canoes, but when they reached deep waters, he capsized the ships, causing most of the soldiers to drown because of their heavy armor. Those who survived were hung, except for the leader of the group, Garcia Mejia, and two women. Three years later, another expedition found García Mejía who told what had happened and gave the area the name of Matanzas. This is how it would be officially registered when the city was founded in 1694.

Although the existence of settlers in these lands has been known for more than 10,000 years and, as the history of the city's name tells us, the Spaniards did not take long to discover their settlements, it was not until the end of the 17th century that the city was founded with the aim of curbing piracy in the area, an increasingly pressing problem. In spite of this, since the arrival of the Spaniards, the area has been occupied from the beginning by large estates, especially sugar plantations, many of which are still in operation today.

In order to establish the foundation, 30 Canarian families were brought to the city of Matanzas, which is the first city to be built by official decree. This means that the layout of its streets is totally planned and regular, something new on the island. The town had great economic development and as a result, we find beautiful buildings in the centre, besides being a place where culture became the main interest.

At present, the main source of income in the province of Matanzas is tourism, mainly focused on the north and south of the province. It is not surprising given the number of visitors that come to this area to enjoy all the possibilities that the region offers: sun and beach tourism, ecotourism and cultural tourism.

Matanzas offers all the options that you can imagine in a heavenly environment. Those who visit it say that they cannot forget it. However, it is also true that the degree of conservation and restoration of some of the monuments that the city presents, especially the Museo Farmacéutico (Pharmaceutical Museum), the Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol (Church of Saint Peter the Apostle) in the barrio de Versalles (Versailles Neighborhood) and the Ermita de Monserrate (Shrine of Monserrate), could be better, since archaeologists of the Ramón Félix Recondo Pérez organization, denounce that action be taken on them leaves something to be desired. This does not mean, however, that the history they treasure is not reason enough to visit this beautiful and unique city.

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Varadero

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Museo Municipal de Varadero

Cardenas

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Catedral de la Purísima Concepción de Cárdenas

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Península de Zapata

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