The Cuban east, region marked by the history and nature, shows emblematic scenarios linked to the discovery and colonization of the greater one of the Antilles. Joined to the tourist roposals of sun and beach, the characteristics of an archipelago located strategically in the Caribbean, arise with force sites of high historical value.

In the eastern Cuban province of Guantánamo is one of those places under the original name of Our Lady of the Assumption of Baracoa, founded in 1512 by Diego Velazquez, and which came to be also the first capital and first bishop of the isle. The name of the town has its origin in a native word that means "presence of the sea", in allusion to its original settlers to an influence of the maritime atmosphere.

The natural landscape is complemented with a mountain flattened 575 meters height known as the Anvil of Baracoa, due to its similarity with that part used by the blacksmiths for its work. Also, different arteries of water flow through the territory, including the Toa - considered the largest river of the island-, marked in your step by numerous waterfalls, the most famous known as El Saltadero, with 17 meters of height.

The coconut and cocoa are two of the plantations that identify Baracoa, where still retains the Cruz de Parra planted there by Admiral Christopher Columbus in 1492, is one of the 29´s left throughout Latin America by the Genoese sailor.

The own access to the city is an adventure to be carried out by a track very peculiar that winds between the mountains and responds to the name of La Farola, 11 hanging bridges and the most relevant point in Altos de Cotilla, more than 600 meters above sea level.

The time of the Spanish domination left its traces in the constructions of the locality, where highlight many buildings erected with stone as the colonial fortresses of El Castillo, La Punta, the towers of Joa and the Cemetery.

In the inhabitants of the place dominated the traits of the aboriginal population of the greater one of the Antilles: nose sharp, straight hair, dark skin and small stature, by which it is said that it is impossible to know the ancient inhabitants of the archipelago without having to go through the first town in Cuba.

For accommodation there are spaces as the Hotel La Rusa, characterized as a small establishment -only 12 rooms-, intimate and cozy, located in addition to the sea. The name of the installation comes from its former owner, a Russian woman, based definitively in the city after much wandering by countries and cities and that inspired in addition to the novelist Alejo Carpentier some of the characters of "The Rite of Spring".