Activities
Music and dance places
Baracoa respects the rule and you will find, like in every cuban city, a Casa de la Trova and a music space related to Artex where you will listen to traditional music while enjoying traditional drinks like rum, mojitos, Cuba libre, imported or cuban beers without forgetting the unforgettable exotic fruit juices. In the Casa de la Trova, meet with Yoshi, the « best entertainer of every cuban Casas de la Trova » ! For sure, you won’t forget your evening. Then go to the Casa de la Cultura where every night an other type of show is presented : music, dance, beats. In the day light, try to be the artist yourself and learn in this same space how to beat drums, dance salsa and other cuban movements (because salsa is not the only cuban dance !). Discuss with the musicians and they will certainly respond to your demand as well as they can.
For more modern shows, cabarets, dancers and music, meet at the Terraza, which is an open space where every night dancers and musicians appear with their shiny clothes in the colored atmoshere to make the show for you !
Finally, to go to the place where the cuban youth goes, follow the sounds and climb the stairs up to the Ranchon, a discotheque situated a bit above the city.
All these fantastic musical places are accessible for less than 3$ !
Painting and other cultural places
In the Casa de la Cultura, but also in the 8 other local artistic studios, you will encounter painters, sculpters and other artisans. Take your time to discuss with them about their way of feeling, thinking and living. You may bring with you one of their creation for prices hard to debate. And why not taking an art class with one of them ?
Walking around
Five minutes only from the central place you will be stepping on the beach amoung the local youngster coming there to play or be refreshed by the sea. Then you may walk along the Malecon and watch hows fishermen’s patience is a real art of living while the kids run around with their home made kites. At the end of your walk, you will find the famous Hatuey Indian sculpture representing from ever the fight for independance (remember Baracoa was the first city discovered on the Island). On Saturday mornings, wake up early enough to discover the fruits and vegetables market and try fresh and sunny tastes for almost no cost.
Above the city, stands the « Hotel Castillo », a beautiful hotel accessible only to turism but with a great view .
If you like to climb even higher, to walk on muddy ways and even cross a river, the « Yunque », is waiting for you. With its particular shape it represents the area’s surroundings, and there you will discover cacao trees, pineapples and other exotic plants. A guide will take you on the journey, think of giving some tips because he won’t get much of the price you will have to pay for the state !
If you are a nature lover, Baracoa area is the place for you, rent a car or a motorbike and go to parc Humbolt a national parc protected by Unesco where you will be transplanted in real exotic world and maybe have the chance to see one of those disappearing animals : the lamantines !
For those (all of you) who don’t want to miss an afternoon on a beach of white sand, go to Maguana beach where you may be offered a coconut fresh from to tree ! !
In the place called Yumuri (from the last call of indians jumping from the cliff to avoid the invaders : « Yo muri = I died), you will see fishermen houses and their kids catching fishes or shrimps with simple but efficient means. There, not only people enjoy sea baths, pigs are welcome as well ! !
Gastronomy
In Baracoa, only one « particular restaurant » received the right to practice, but Colonial restaurant is delicious and located downtown. You may be tempted to try cuban food and their « bocadillos » far cheaper but not as good. The best deal is to eat in your Casa Particular (see « Prices »)
