Cuba's tourism industry, considered the fastest-growing sector in the national economy, has benefited from the many natural attractions of the Caribbean Island, including hundreds of kilometers of excellent beaches.

Precisely, thousands of foreign vacationers come to Cuba attracted by the Island's sun and beach options and to enjoy its warm crystal-clear waters and white-sand beaches.

However, Cuba's historic and cultural heritage, including its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture in several cities of the country, adds to the attractions of the leisure industry in the Island.

Within that context, there exist small tourist facilities in every corner of the country where those who wish to tour the Island from one tip to the other can stay.

One of those establishments is the Miraflores Hotel, a small building surrounded by the sea and the mountains in the mining city of Moa, in eastern Cuba.

The 100-room hotel offers guests the indispensable amenities to enjoy leisure, including typical Cuban dishes at the restaurant.

Most importantly, the hotel is close to Baracoa, Cuba's first village, which was founded between 1511 and 1512 by Conqueror Diego Velázquez, who named it Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa (Our Lady of the Assumption of Baracoa).

In addition to Baracoa's rich history, the city stands out for the affable nature of the local people and its beauty, since it is surrounded by mountains, rivers and exuberant vegetation.

The natural landscape is complemented by a 575-meter flattop mountain known as Yunque de Baracoa (Baracoa's Anvil), due to its similarity with the tool used by blacksmiths.

Access to the city is an adventure, since vehicles have to take a very peculiar road that winds around the mountains and is known as La Farola. The road has 11 hanging bridges and its highest point is Altos de Cotilla, which is more than 600 meters above sea level.

In Baracoa, visitors find a tranquil atmosphere marked by reminiscences of a Spanish colonial past, including the famous Cruz de la Parra, made of local precious timber by the Spanish conquistador during the first voyage to the Americas, and used by Fray Bartolomé de las Casas to say mass.

In addition, from the Miraflores Hotel, guests can enjoy the attractions of Holguín province, which has 14 major cities, including Banes – considered Cuba's archeological capital – and Gibara, which has a well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture.

As one of the major ports in eastern Cuba to trade slaves and sugar in the 18th century (Gibara), Holguín treasures the ruins of Spanish fortifications that protected the cities from the attacks by corsairs and pirates, who were attracted by the wealth of the colony.