The limestone terraces of Cabo Cruz, karst formations and archaeological traces give Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma a rich character. Large sinkholes, cliffs, ravines and caves are among the features that shape its relatively undisturbed landscape and seascape. In the same park, you can encounter traces of earlier cultures—a striking contrast between geological formations and human history.

Karst Landscapes and Wildlife

The park protects the limestone terraces of Cabo Cruz at the western end of the Sierra Maestra. The archaeological sites also give the area a distinct historical dimension: they include ceremonial caves and sites of the original Indigenous inhabitants, as well as petroglyphs, pictograms and artefacts of the Taíno potters and earlier cultures. Landscape and history are not separate themes here; both are rooted in Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma.

A UNESCO document on the park’s terrestrial fauna lists 13 mammal, 110 bird, 44 reptile and seven amphibian species. Birds are therefore the largest of the four groups listed. These figures offer a concrete glimpse of the wildlife diversity that complements the park’s landforms.

Sierra Maestra and Pico Real del Turquino

Mountains are the focus of Parque Nacional Turquino. The protected area lies in the heart of the Sierra Maestra, which is associated with the events surrounding Cuba’s independence, and covers 17,450 hectares. Its peak, Pico Real del Turquino, is also Cuba’s highest point, at 1,974 metres above sea level. This park brings together a clear geographical superlative and a landscape with historical associations.

The seasons are another practical point of reference: Parque Nacional Turquino has a typical mountain climate. July, September and October are the wettest months; February, March and April are particularly dry. Comparing different seasons when planning your trip can help you use these distinct groups of months as a guide, without treating them as a general statement about the entire year.

Botanical Diversity and Bayamo’s History

A botanical highlight can be found at Jardín Botánico Cupaynicú in Guisa. The protected area Reserva Florística Manejada Monte Natural Cupaynicú is located within the garden. Its 104 hectares are home to more than 1,800 plant species. The reserve complements the national parks’ vast landscapes with a closer look at plant diversity.

In Bayamo, Plaza del Himno marks a distinctive chapter in Cuban cultural history: the national anthem was composed and first sung here. Every 12 January, the historic burning of Bayamo is also commemorated. The annual San Juan Bautista festival takes place on 24 June. Celebrations are held mainly in the mountain communities of Guisa and Buey Arriba, as well as in Bayamo. The festivities include a procession to the river and communal cooking: Ajiaco rivelino and fried fish with sweet potatoes. The festival thus combines a fixed date with specific communal traditions.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Pilon, Havana, Holguín, Camaguey, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Sancti Spíritus.

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