Located on the easternmost point of the island, there is plenty to see and do in Baracoa Cuba. This beautiful municipality belongs to the province of Guantánamo. It was founded by none other than the famous Diego Velázquez in the 16th century. It is considered the oldest city on the island.
Baracoa stands out for its impressive architecture and its labyrinthine structure. Here you can spend hours strolling through its narrow streets in the most traditional Cuban surroundings. It has a very important historical and cultural value, as well as lush vegetation and jungle worth visiting. Nowadays, it is one of the essential destinations if you travel to Cuba, where you will be able to take in the authentic essence of the island. Keep reading to discover more!
What are the best places in Baracoa Cuba?
1. City Hall of Baracoa Cuba
Located in the historic centre of Baracoa, more specifically in one of the main streets, is the city’s beautiful town hall. In addition to its great location, close to other iconic features of the city, this building stands out for its beautiful architectural style.
This structure has a beautiful and characteristic colonial style, especially striking for its bright yellow colour, coupled with certain eclectic influences. The building was built in 1931, and is located inside the Central Park of Baracoa, one of the busiest open spaces in the city. If you decide to visit its interior, you will find a curious circular courtyard with arcaded corridors. Here, you can stroll around in peace and quiet. A 100% recommended visit.
2. Seboruco Castle
Seboruco Castle is one of the three most important fortresses in Cuba, and is located in the city of Baracoa. It served as a defensive system, strategically located more than 100 metres above sea level.
This fortress, having been declared a National Monument in 1978, was built during the 18th century. However, a few decades ago it was transformed into a hotel and adopted the name Hotel El Castillo. Even so, it is worth going to its viewpoint and enjoying the impressive views over the bay of Baracoa. You can also the great natural formation of El Yunque. You can’t miss it!
3. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is probably the most important religious building in Baracoa Cuba. Although it has a modest façade and architecture, this cathedral has a beautiful interior which houses the famous Cruz de la Parra, considered the oldest Christian symbol. In spite of its numerous transformations due to different attacks, it still preserves all its essence.
As the first parish church on the whole island, you cannot miss a visit to this marvellous structure. It is located right in the middle of the path that runs through the historic centre, so you will have no problem accessing it. Once you have finished your visit, you can go to other symbolic spots nearby, so don’t forget to take your camera!
4. Municipal Museum of Baracoa Cuba
The Museo Municipal de Baracoa, also known as the Museo Fuerte Matachín, is located inside an imposing military fort. Like most of the city’s fortifications, during the 18th and 19th centuries it was part of the city’s defensive system.
It was in 1981 that the fortification was transformed into a museum, which is currently the most interesting cultural site to see in Baracoa Cuba. During your visit, you can discover up to seven different exhibition rooms, each dedicated to a different theme. Among them, you will find exhibitions on archaeology, the colonisation process and the history of the Cuban revolution, among others. And all this for only 1 CUC a ticket, which is the equivalent of 0.84€. It doesn’t get any better than this!
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5. Casa de la Cultura Baracoa Cuba
The Casa de la Cultura is located in the centre of Baracoa Cuba, and has great historical and cultural importance for the city. It was a house to accommodate families during the period of colonization and pseudo-republic.
Its architecture shows a typical Baracoan style dating from the 19th century, with a beautiful eclectic façade. In addition to admiring its exterior, you can visit the interior of the house, where you will discover a Sala Teatro. In the past, this building was a place of recreation for the inhabitants of Baracoa. Nowadays, it is a theatre where different cultural and recreational activities are held, as well as exhibitions of some of the local artists. Come and see it!
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see in the surroundings of Baracoa Cuba?
1. Blue Well of Punta Maisí
Punta de Maisí is a spectacular natural spot that is the easternmost point of the whole island. There, as well as enjoying its abundant nature, you will be able to discover its great archaeological and cultural wealth.
Punta de Maisí is home to some of the most beautiful natural sites in the area. On the one hand, there are the famous Escalones de Gigantes, enormous rock formations that reach up to 70 metres in height. On the other hand, there is the acclaimed Pozo Azul (Blue Well). As its name suggests, is a natural well with impressive crystal clear waters. Here you can take a pleasant swim in pure nature. You’ll love it!
2. Maguana Beach in Baracoa Cuba
Located barely 20 kilometres from Baracoa is the impressive Maguana Beach, a completely paradise that meets all the requirements of a tropical Caribbean beach.
Besides having a long stretch of white sand, what makes this beach a special place is its abundant vegetation, mainly composed of large palm trees. You can enjoy a wonderful sunny day while you take a dip in its warm, crystal-clear waters. And if lying in the sun is not your thing, you are in the ideal place to practice one of the most fun water activities: snorkelling. You’ll enjoy an impressive 180-metre reef, and get to know a great variety of marine species. What more could you ask for?
3. Yumurí Estuary
Boca de Yumurí is an impressive natural environment located in the municipality of Baracoa, just 40 minutes drive from the city. It is the mouth of the Yumurí River, where you will find a space full of stone canyons up to almost 9 kilometres long.
You can enjoy this breathtaking scenery by taking a boat trip down the river to the small Isla de las Almendras (Almond Island). You’ll be fascinated by the natural beauty all along the way as you navigate the stunningly clear waters, all surrounded by lush vegetation on both sides of the river. This excursion is not to be missed!
4. Yunque de Baracoa
El Yunque, located just 10 kilometres from Baracoa, is an imposing natural park and natural area protected by the country. Besides being Cuba’s most important natural jewel, this enormous rock formation is visible from any point in Baracoa.
This mountain reaches a height of 575 metres, although its most characteristic feature is its flattened top due to erosion. You can hike up to the highest part of the mountain, which stretches up to 8 kilometres. However, once you reach the top, you will realise that the climb was well worth it: you will be fascinated by the breathtaking views of Baracoa’s surroundings. What’s more, once you’ve finished the route, you can enjoy a nice swim in the Duaba River. What more could you ask for?
5. Toa River
Also located 10 kilometres from Baracoa, the Toa River is 130 kilometres long, making it the second longest river in Cuba after the Cauto River.
Besides its notorious extension, this river has striking emerald green waters. You can enjoy a pleasant boat ride while contemplating a beautiful landscape that intermingles water and abundant nature. The Toa River has been compared to the Amazon, mainly due to its lush forests. A natural wonder not to be missed on your trip to Baracoa.
Baracoa Route Map
What to do in Baracoa in 1 day?
- Visit the Town Hall of Baracoa
- Go to the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
- Explore the Castle of Seboruco
- See the House of Culture
What to do in Baracoa in 2 days?
- First visit the Pozo Azul de Punta Maisí (Blue Well of Punta Maisí)
- Then, go to the Boca de Yumurí Mouth
- Also, visit the Toa River
- Finally, stroll along Maguano Beach
How to plan your itinerary of places to visit in Baracoa Cuba?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organised way and according to the days and places you want to see in Baracoa Cuba.
With the app you can:
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save your tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
- Find out the best travel option for each place.
- Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip to Baracoa?” you can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter!”
If you want to learn more about how to get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about Baracoa Cuba
There are many places to stay in Baracoa, of varying quality and price. Below we recommend two places where you can enjoy great value for money.
– On the one hand there is the Hotel El Castillo, located near the port of Baracoa and very close to the centre. It has a characteristic colonial style, with very comfortable rooms with views.
– On the other hand, we recommend the Hotel Porto Santo. This hotel is located on the outskirts of the city, in the middle of the bay, so it also offers impressive views. It has very good accessibility to the historical area of the city, as well as offering all the services.
There are different restaurants you should try in Baracoa located in different places, and you can choose the one that suits you best according to your interests and location.
– First of all, we recommend Finca El Edén. This restaurant is located in the Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve, in a green and leafy natural environment.
– Secondly, if haute cuisine is your thing, you should visit La Cocina de Ortiz. There you can enjoy succulent dishes of fish, seafood and local vegetables.
– Third and finally, don’t miss Restaurante Tato, where you can enjoy the best locally caught fish and seafood dishes, as well as a variety of roasts.
Baracoa enjoys a good climate all year round, although during the months of May, October and November there is more rainfall, so it is best to avoid travelling there during those months if you want to enjoy the beach in Baracoa.
It is safe to travel to Baracoa as long as you take the appropriate safety precautions: don’t carry large amounts of money or valuables, don’t walk alone at night on lonely streets, and beware of scams on public transport.
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