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Topes de Collantes, Cuba

Come to Trinidad and immerse in Topes de Collantes, a natural park in Cuba that will amaze you by its splendour

Topes de Collantes, Cuba
© Guillaume Baviere

The Parque Natural Topes de Collantes (Topes de Collantes Natural Park) is located 30 km away from Trinidad, at Sierra del Escambray. This natural reserve is a huge protected area located right in the heart of Cuba, declared a World Heritage Site in 1988. The lovely temperatures of this natural paradise throughout the year attract the tourists’ attention, turning this place into the perfect place for relaxation and adventures.

The Parque Natural Topes de Collantes is an amazing mountainous mixture of caves, rivers, valleys, cascades and cliffs. This Cuban natural treasure started out in life in the late 30s when one of the country’s presidents ordered the construction of a building for his wife, who was not feeling well. Since that moment, this natural spot has aspects of historical panorama, as it witnessed significant acts, like the guerrillas of the Revolution. Later around 1970, a couple of hotels and curative centres were built that nowadays attract not only locals, but tourists from all over the world.

For many years different conservation and protection processes have been carried out to maintain the splendour of this amazing jewel. It is a mandatory stop for the one who want to go hiking, for photography lovers or the ones loving nature and animals, as 100 different fauna species have been found there as well as various natural attractions, such as Vegas Grandes and Salto del Caburní (Caburní Waterfall), two of the most popular areas in this lovely natural park which will leave you speechless thanks to its particularity and its natural as well as landscape splendour.

Index:

• What are the best plans to make in Topes de Collantes?
• What are the best excursions to do in Topes de Collantes?
• Where to stay?
• How to get to Topes de Collantes?

What are the best plans to make in Topes de Collantes?

Topes de Collantes
© Ralph Apeldoorn

One of the most popular attractions in Topes de Collantes is its spa. A tourist centre for relaxation and good health in the heart of Sierra del Escambray where patients go for anti-stress treatments, rehabilitation, massages, etc.

Although without a doubt, Topes de Colleantes is known for its paths around the mountain, the Sendero Vegas Grandes (Vegas Grandes Trail) is the most popular hike among the visitors of the area, passing through the coffee plantations for two kilometres and a half, you could eye traditional cliffed houses, a lovely trial inside a privileged ecosystem where you will be rewarded amazing and unique views. This trail combines flat paths with steep areas that are worth seeing after all, as you will get to the Salto del Caburní, an amazing waterfall of 62 metres high, this lovely spot is idyllic for rest after the walk and relaxing in the middle of nature. That is not all, the last gift prepared for you is a good bath in the wonderful pond where this cascade ends, most likely one of the most relaxing baths you have ever had. Think you are in the middle of the forest in Cuba, diving into a lovely pond with one of the most pure and fresh waters there is, the walk truly was worth it. Carrying on with the themes of Topes de Collantes, you can take the Ruta Gruta La Batata (La Batata Cave Route), a route whose flora and fauna will leave you amazed. Although the party piece is at the end of the route, along the way there is a cave with different natural pools for fun and relaxation. 

Along the way at Parque Guanayara, one of the divisions of Topes de Collantes, you will pass through the Sendero Centinelas del Río Melodioso (Centinelas Trail of Melodioso River) continuing the course of the river and passing by lovely streams, crystal-clear ponds and the famous El Rocío cascade. You can stroll the itinerary in less than 3 hours and you will find an interesting point of rest, the Cuban ranch of Casa La Gallega where you will taste Cuban homemade food and refreshing drinks surrounded by the most rural ambience there is.

Another of the routes you can do is the route towards Hacienda Codina, an astonishing ranch that will surprise you with its healthy mud baths. Along the way you will find its bambu woods, the Cueva del Altar and the Isla de los Enamorados, among others. All this with the finishing touch at a natural viewpoint where you can eye the entire Valle de los Ingenios, an imposing sugar production area. 

You can also visit the two museums in the area, the Museo del Café (Coffee Museum) and the Museo de Arte Cubano Contemporáneo (Contemporanean Cuban Art Museum). In the first one you are able to visit an exhibition on the history of coffee cultivation and taste its delicacies. The second one houses a valuable collection of more than 60 plastic avant-garde works of art from the 80s.

What are the best excursions to do in Topes de Collantes?

El Nicho, Topes de Collantes
© Brian Adamson

Topes de Collantes offers you a wide range of excursions for you to fully enjoy your trip.

Most of the trips depart from the city of Trinidad, like the Horse excursion to the El Pilón Waterfall, departing from the old town, where the well-tamed horses are waiting for you and which will take you alone till the El Pilón Waterfall, riding along the awesome trails and discovering the particular flora and fauna. The refreshing Pilón pond is idyllic for baths and fun whilst feeling the nature on your skin.

There are also intriguing Jeep safaris for the most adventurous with an itinerary from Trinidad till Parque Guanayara in the depths of the mountains of Parque Natural Topes de Collantes. To reach this remote place, you will have to travel along winding trails, making short stops at amazing viewpoints and coffee plantations where you will learn how coffee is produced and even stop for a swim in natural pools, like the El Venado.

You can not forget other options, like excursions around the area by military lorries, by vintage cars transporting you back in time and of course the classic walking tours on different trails. Many excursions can be done both together and alone as well as with guides or without guides.

Where to stay in Topes de Collantes?

In the centre of Topes de Collantes, in the mountainous region of Guamuhaya, we find the main tourist area of the place, easily accessible and comprising hotels and restaurants with a mix of rural and modern aesthetics.

Here you will find the Villa Caburni, a 3-star hotel comprising small coloured houses with a swimming pool and children’s activities, idyllic for families. 

In the natural area itself you will not find hotel complexes or tourist accommodations harming the natural harmony of the spot, as it is a protected area. However, it has numerous options to spend the night in the area that will make you feel part of nature. Campismo, the word used in Cuba when referring to camping, is a very good option if you fancy staying in the middle of nature. In the heart of the natural park you will find the Campismo Macanal, this accommodation has 42 cottages, a swing area for children and a volleyball court among many other comforts. What is certain is that you will have a wonderful time in a natural environment that does not harm the natural harmony of this amazing natural park.

Whilst on the subject of sustainability that does not harm this environment, you can opt for the Ecolodge El Manantial. It is your choice if you do not want to stay at a campsite but still your intention is to sleep in a natural and idyllic environment. This accommodation has all the comforts, food service and apart from that well located you can admire animals you have never seen, such as the jutía (hutia), a rodent having a certain resemblance to a beaver, as well as birds, like the cotorra (true parrot) or the tocororo (Cuban trogon), the national bird of Cuba.

On the route through the heart of the park you will find Hacienda Codina, a splendid ranch and a mandatory stop to recharge batteries with its tasty food. In this place you can camp as well, ideal if you want to have time to explore nature carefully.

Similar to Hacienda Codina, you will find the Cuban Casa La Gallega ranch, in the area of Guanayara, a hidden and peaceful place where apart from eating you can camp as well on a small esplanade.

As Trinidad is only a half an hour away by car, you are able to stay in this lovely villa, where you can choose between a hotel or a casa particular (private house). If you fancy meeting the deepest tradition and culture of Trinidad, the best option is to stay with a local whose histories will surprise you, apart from getting to know all the ins and outs of the villa, its histories and legends.

Additionally, if you are more interested in staying in a hotel, you have various options, of five star hotels we find the Iberostar Grand Hotel Trinidad, which is a luxurious hotel where you will be treated like a king or a queen. The building where the hotel is is really astonishing, apart from its location right in the centre of Trinidad.

On the beachfront you will find the Memories Trinidad del Mar hotel, where your biggest worry will be to take a dip in the beach when you get too hot. Apart from that, this resort is located 45 minutes from Topes de Collantes, so you will be very close to this amazing park.

How to get to Topes de Collantes?

The best way to get to Parque Natural Topes de Collantes is from the city of Trinidad, around 30 kilometres away. If you go there by car the best way is to take the Circuito Sur. However, the best option is to take a taxi both there and back, from any accessible point where you can be picked up.

The nearest international airport is located in the city of Santa Clara, the Aeropuerto Internacional Abel Santamaría (Abel Santamaría International Airport), has connections with different important European cities, like Milan, Moscow or Düsseldorf, although these connections depend on the season. On the other hand, it has recurrent connections with big American cities, like Toronto, Montreal and Panamá City. Once on the island through this airport, the drive to Topes de Collantes takes approximately an hour and forty minutes, when a drive to Trinidad takes two hours.

The best-connected airport in Cuba we find in the country capital, the Aeropuerto Internacional José Martí (José Martí International Airport) has connections with the key European cities, like Madrid, Paris, Milan or London. By car this airport is 4 hours away, along the journey you will have glorious views and you will pass through areas with amazing landscapes that you will only find in Cuba. For this reason and not to miss anything of the splendid ecosystem in Cuba, reserving a private transfer to your destination securely and seeing the entire route without any concern about how to get there or where we could stop is an excellent option. A trip to Cuba is something you do not experience everyday and you have to make the most of it without missing any intriguing places.

More Information:

Location:

Trinidad 62600, Cuba.

Interactive map: