Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma
Explore the splendour the Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma, Cuba, is offering you, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999
Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma
© Chris
The Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma (Desembarco del Granma National Park) is, with its nearly 300 km2, Cuba’s natural treasure par excellence. It is very close to Las Coloradas Beach and is located between the towns of Niquero and Pilón. The park covers the territory from Sierra Maestra till Cabo Cruz, the southernmost point in the island.
Playa las Coloradas
© Sol de Cuba
The National Park is famous all over the world for its amazing environmental diversity, but it is especially notable for the historical event to which it owes its name.
The name “Desembarco del Granma” (“Granma landings”) comes from the fact that in 1956, a ship from Mexico loaded with plenty of revolutionaries arrived here to mark a turning point on the island. It was a Granma ship, a yacht from which such emblematic figures as Fidel Castro and Che Guevara disembarked.
Another of the most important historical events in the island was the Alegría del Pío battle that took place in December of the same year between the explorers and Batista dictatorship forces.
Both historical landmarks marked the beginning of the National Liberation War culminating in the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. This historical landmark has made the spot a 100% temple of worship to the Cuban Revolution.
Without a doubt, the natural value of the park lies in the astonishing condition of conservation of its geomorphological features. The extreme conditions of relief and climate have long prevented human activities, which was beneficial to the complete biodiversity of the environment and the integral composition of its flora and fauna. The geological agents having modified the terrain over the years have also made this a unique landscape and an enjoyable heritage.
Various species find the idyllic ecosystem in this region, with mammals, amphibians, reptiles, molluscs and birds making up a prolific and extraordinarily varied fauna. Of the 500 plant species identified in the park, approximately 60% are endemic and a dozen are found exclusively here.
All in all, there is room for all sorts of pastimes: hiking paths that will allow you to recreate the path of the rebels after their landing, diving courses where you are able to swing with the most exotic aquatic animals, learn more about history, admire great views…
Get carried away by your adventurous spirit and book your trip to this natural jewel that Cuba is offering you.
Index:
- What places to see?
- What activities to do?
- What excursions can one make?
- What are the best accommodations?
- How to get to Parque Nacional del Desembarco, Cuba?
What places to see in Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma?
Sierra Maestra
© Sol de Cuba
The Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma (Desembarco del Granma National Park), named a protected area by UNESCO, is one of the most astonishing spots in the country. The authenticity of this region is thanks to the particular conservation of its ecosystem, the historical and cultural significance it conceals and the significant archaeological values that have turned the island into a 100% natural paradise.
Archaeological Site of Guafe
© Sol de Cuba
Few places in Cuba arouse as much interest among geologists, naturalists, historians and visitors as this Natural Park. The fact is that its system of marine terraces on calcareous rocks has become the most amazing example of its kind in the world. These shapes of relief, which are in a pristine state of conservation, comprise one of the largest archaeological reserves in the country.
During your tour of the park you will have the privilege of exploring a large variety of landscapes, from the lush forests of Sierra Maestra to the spectacular coastal areas of Cabo Cruz, where you can skirt some of the best-kept cliffs in the Americas. This is because the terrain changes its orography as it approaches the coast, leading to the amazing marine terrace system that rises up to 360 metres high and is the park’s greatest attribute.
This system of terraces has given rise to all sorts of underground rock formations, among which we highlight the extraordinary Hoyo de Morlotte, considered a natural treasure from a geomorphological point of view because of its vertical drop of 78 metres deep.
Walking along its hidden paths you will discover the infinite waterfalls that the park owns, as well as other streams and springs that serve to recharge your batteries after refreshing yourself in them as if they were real oases in the middle of the incursion.
Another of the secrets hidden in the National Park are the archaeological reserves, whose most significant findings have to do with caves used for religious ceremonies by farming and pottery-making communities. Among the relics found at the site are clay pots, carved stones and even small altars dating back approximately a thousand years.
One of the main attractions of the park is the cueva del Fustete (Fustete cave), located near the community of Alegría de Pío, 5 km from the coast. It is an aborigianl trail with the remains of pre-Columbian engravings, whose main value lies in the accumulation of very extraordinary geomorphological formations.
Another place worth visiting is the famous cueva de la diosa Atabeira (cave of the goddess Atabeira), also known as the cueva del agua (water cave), a set of caves located in the archaeological site of Guafe. They have small staircases leading to their interiors, from where the visitor has a wide look of what used to be one of the first native cultures in Cuba.
The cave is named like that, because the goddess Atabeira is the most sacred deity for the people of Granma, which is why the first inhabitants of Cuba carved a statue in the deepest part of the cave to worship her. Nowadays, travellers visiting the cave have the ritual of descending the stairs to reach the goddess, where they drink cold water from the cave and refresh their faces. The locals say that the goddess Atabeira grants three wishes to those who really believe in her.
But without a doubt, the most mind-boggling thing in this place is the illumination that the statue has during the winter solstice from the 21st to the 22nd of December. At this very wonderful moment a phenomenon happens: the sculpted statue is bathed by the Sun as if the Atabeira goddess came to life once a year.
What activities can one do in Parque Nacional del Desembarco, Granma?
Hiking in Desembarco del Granma
© Granma Travel
The Parque Nacional del Desembarco is one of the most intriguing places of nature tourism.
Among the many possibilities offered by this natural jewel, hiking is the activity that best captures the essence and beauty of the park. It is advisable to wear suitable footwear and comfortable clothing, without forgetting to always carry a bottle of drinking water and sunglasses.
Another of the most popular activities among tourists and locals are horse rides. The park organisation offers you an eight-hour horse ride accompanied by a guide, with different paths and starting points. All tours pop by the village of Marea del Portillo where you can interact with local countrymen and learn more about their lifestyle. The hospitality and humility with the locals supporting visitors is excellent, as these people really care for and love their homeland. They also know how to pass this to the rest of the world with lovely purity.
If you travel with children or you are tired when you pass through the province of Granma, there are activities allowing you to learn about the area without a great effort as well. The park’s organisers have programmed Jeep Safari-Tours, excursions in 4x4 Jeeps through the Comandancia de la Plata with a guide. The itinerary covers the towns crossing Sierra Maestra, making interpretative stops in La Habanita, Bartolomé Masó and Caridad de Mota. At the end of the journey, a welcome cocktail is waiting for the tourist in the tourist village of Santo Domingo.
Carrying on your visit to the Comandancia de la Plata, you will visit the installations that made up the general command of the Rebel Army, among which the press house, the kitchen, the juridical house and the house of Fidel Castro.
At last, you are able to recharge your batteries with a tasty lunch in the tourist village of Santo Domingo.
Enjoy the nautical activities offered by the park from Marea del Portillo. Everyone needs a day for disconnection and forget the tiring work that sometimes comes as a tourist. You can explore the corners without the need of visiting every single place, just enjoy the environment, the landscape, the climate and the people.
For that, the excursion to Cayo Blanco can be an excellent option if you fancy some time for yourself. Departing early in the morning from the pier of Cayo Portillito and then spending the night in Cayo Blanco with all sorts of commodities. The service includes entertainment, a bar with free drinks, music and lunch, as well as nautical and snorkeling equipment to enjoy the Caribbean sea like never before.
Go snorkeling and make the most of your stay in Granma. The activity departs from the Cayo Portillito pier and is off to the coral reef, from where the client will be able to enjoy an hour of snorkeling. The service includes transport by boat accompanied by a bilingual instructor, as well as all the snorkeling equipment are included.
Deep-sea fishing, another of the most intriguing activities offered by the province of Granma, is also available from the pier of Cayo Portillito. Starting early in the morning, the trip includes up to three fishing spots in blue waters. The service includes lunch and free drinks as well to really enjoy this wonderful experience.
Discover the secrets hidden in the Cuban sea and immerse yourself in the open sea excursion that Granma has prepared for you. Again, the departure point is the Cayo Portillito dock, with a bilingual monitor on board. Throughout the trip you will be fascinated by the amazing views of the municipality of Pilón and Sierra Maestra mountains. During the trip there is time for fishing, snorkeling and you will have a lot of fun on a boat with free drinks.
What are the best excursions to make in Parque Nacional del Desembarco?
Archaeological Trail El Guafe
© Sol de Cuba
The big dimensions of the park benefit the existence of an endless number of tourist activities allowing you to get to know the history and essence of the province of Granma. Get into the depths of the park and discover the splendour of its most secret corners.
If you fancy getting to know the National Park in the most concentrated way, the Morlotte-Fustete excursion would be the best option. The route comprises a 6 km walk along the park’s different trails in approximately four hours. The service includes, apart from refreshments and lunch, a guided visit to the cave of Fustete where you will find all sorts of relief features, such as stalagmites and stalactites; and you will also swing by the Hoyo de Morlote, world famous for being the only karst feature in Cuba without water, as well as for its enormous size. During your walk you will have the privilege of popping by a very well preserved coastal vegetation.
If you are fancy losing yourself in the depths of the park and blend in with nature comfortably, the Las Yaguas excursions will meet your requirements perfectly. It is a 17 km route with a specialised guide and it lasts six hours in a 4x4 Jeep and there is no excuse to continue discovering more corners of the park. The route also includes an obligatory stop at the Alto de la Vigía to eye the panoramic views of the Marea del Portillo bay where you can see cascades up to 5 waterfalls 360 metres above sea level. At the end of the route, you will be rewarded with a bath in its natural pools, whose heavenly view will make you feel like new.
A highly recommended activity to get to know the native culture of the region well is the El Guage and Cabo Cruz excursion. This is a 4 km walk through the exotic trails of the park, accompanied by a tour guide and with refreshments and lunch. Immerse yourself in this experience and see with your own eyes the flora and fauna, characteristic in Cuba. The tour has various interpretive panels explaining in detail the history, life and customs of the aborigines. The route also includes a visit to the fishing place of Cabo Cruz, home to one of the island’s most emblematic lighthouses, the Vargas Lighthouse, built in the second half of the 19th century and standing 32 metres high.
If your adventurous spirit fancies exploring the most hidden places in the park, the El Samuel route is idyllic for you. It consists of a speleological trekking excursion through the Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma, lasting four hours and covering a distance of 3 km. Along the way you will be accompanied by the typical terrace landscape and can admire the geomorphological values predominating in the park, such as dolines, caves and virgin dogtooths.
The El Samuel cave has become one of the most popular and visited places in the region. Inside the cave there are elements of great archaeological interest, in addition to the extraordinary rock formations abounding in the park. Around the cave is a space that is an extraordinary natural viewpoint with panoramic views of the Caribbean coast and the system of marine terraces.
The best way to get to know the region is through the Desembarco del Granma excursion. This activity is designed to swing by the most symbolic places in the park and its surroundings in the most efficient way possible. The tour consists of travelling by bus with a guide through the villages of Niquero and Pilón, one of the obligatory stops being the archaeological trail El Guafe where you can eye the richness of the diverse species coexisting in the same place.
You have excursions to the cave that sheltered the aborigines as well, many of which were used as a setting for burial ceremonies. A visit to the cave of goddess Atabeira, the most sacred deity for the people of Granma is a highlight, followed by an excursion to the fishing village of Cabo Cruz, where the Vargas Lighthouse will be visited. The tour carries on with visits to various sites commemorating the historical event of the Granma landings, such as the Portada de la Libertad, the home of countryman Ángel Pérez and the Ruta de los Expedicionarios. The day ends with lunch in a local restaurant followed by a stroll through the historic centre of Niquero.
What are the best accommodations in Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma, Cuba?
Since the Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma is a protected area, it is not permitted to build hotels inside the park, as this would be against the main objective of preserving the natural values of the park.
In order to respect its conservation, there are only a couple of accommodations near the park, 5 km from Belic. This is the Las Coloradas campsite, a group of duplex cabins on the beach with all sorts of comforts. There you are able to enjoy air-conditioned cabins, a restaurant, games rooms and water sports equipment.
How to get to Parque Nacional del Desembarco de Granma?
It might be tricky to get to the park if you do not have your own vehicle. However, there are options to access this amazing natural place, you just need to know them thoroughly.
The ideal way to get to the park is to take the road from Media Luna towards the southwest. After 10 km the road forks in a way that Pilón is 30 km away to the southeast and Niquero 10 km to the southwest. Only 16 km from Niquero we find the village of Belic, 6 km from the National Park.
If you do not have your own vehicle, there is an irregular coach service to Las Coloradas, as well as irregular trucks that leave from Belic.
Interactive map:
Granma:
Bayamo
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Manzanillo
What to see:
Niquero
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