Cuba Travel - Nature and History on the Zapata Peninsula

Explore Cuba Nature and History on the Zapata Peninsula, just a short trip from Havana, Cuba.

In 1636, the King of Spain gave Mr. Zapata a huge piece of virgin land so that he could start a cattle raising business in this part of the Island. Once there, his men found the largest humid area in the Caribbean. Zapata decided to change his mind and devoted the area to extracting precious woods and coal, which so far, constitutes one of the biggest sources of employment in the area.

Within Matanzas province, driving 150 km from Havana along the Eastern Highway, you can reach Boca de Guamá, the first touristic spot of the Zapata Peninsula, best known for its crocodile raising farm founded in 1962 to protect the 16 reptile species living in Cuba. Today, they have around one hundred thousand specimens. You can see about 30 of these in Guamá, in various pools setup for the visitors. The farm-raising technicians provide you with information about the reptiles, and you can even get pictures taken holding the smallest. There is also the possibility of tasting crocodile meat, a little dry, but highly nutritious and with a wonderful taste.

5km away by boat, you can get to the Laguna del Tesoro, a small island where you’ll find Villa Guamá (rustic cabins over the water) and a reconstruction of a small Taínos village dating from Pre-Columbian times with a group of sculptures made by the Cuban artist Rita Longa. Taínos were the most developed indigenous group of the whole Caribbean. The name Guamá was given to the village after a Cacique (Taíno Indigenous Chief) that was opposed to the Spanish conquerors. According to the legend, being pushed by the Spaniards who wanted the gold of his small village, one night he gathered all of it and distributed it all over the lagoon, hence the name La Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure Lagoon). This legend repeats itself in Baconao, Santiago de Cuba, and in Tucuman, Argentina. Other versions ascribe the name to the treasures hidden by pirates in the area.
 
Villa Guamá is immersed in the lake’s nature in good conditions and offering a good service, including air conditioning, a restaurant, a disco, and a Museum with archeological remains belonging to the Taíno tribe living there till the late 16th century. Birdwatching and trout fishing are the main activities. Despite the wild nature of the area, there are no dangerous animals in Cuba, not even poisonous snakes. However, mosquitoes can be a problem at dusk and dawn. It’s strongly recommended to take good supplies of insect repellent if you plan to stay in any of the local hotels. 

10 more km to the South of Boca de Guamá, you’ll run into Playa Larga, one of the most exotic beaches in Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs)- the place through which numerous troops tried to land in April 1961 to overthrow the Cuban Revolution. Spending a few days in an all-inclusive hotel, visiting some scuba diving spots and beaches with fine, white sands and crystalline waters can be a nice option.  Nearby, you’ll find the Cueva de los Peces (Fish Cave), a natural pool 70 m deep, where you can admire numerous species of exotic fish just with a snorkel. To the North is Caleta Buena, where the deep diving within transparent waters is spectacular. The whole area is full of pirate stories. Some are even named after them such as Playa Girón after Gilbert Girón (French pirate from the 17th century who was sheltered by this place during a hurricane). In this place, the final battle of the Bay of Pigs invasion took place and there is the Museo Playa Girón featuring the history of the clash and the remains of the invaders’ armament. 


The whole peninsula is protected by the Cuban law. It is prohibited to camp in unauthorized areas, create bonfires, or hunt out of season. You can get information about the outdoor activities available and reserve services and the required equipment at hotels in the area.
 

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