Wetlands and Waters

Ciénaga de Zapata is a distinctive natural area in Matanzas: it is a nature park, a biosphere reserve and a Ramsar site, and is considered the largest wetland in the insular Caribbean. These three designations and the comparison of its size give the area a clear identity. Anyone looking to get to know Matanzas through its landscapes will find a strong starting point here. Ciénaga can be viewed not only as a wetland; its waters also differ in the wildlife associated with them.

The manjuarí lives in the freshwater of Ciénaga, while manatees are found in its marine waters; Ciénaga is also considered a refuge for the Cuban crocodile. These examples of wildlife are therefore distinguished both by their aquatic habitat and by the area’s role as a refuge.

Ciénaga also includes Laguna del Tesoro, Cuba’s largest natural lake. Two different size claims therefore sit side by side: Ciénaga is considered the largest wetland in the insular Caribbean, while Laguna is Cuba’s largest natural lake. The comparison moves from the wetland as a whole to a single lake.

Archaeology and Design

Ciénaga de Zapata also encompasses 30 archaeological sites and the Taíno village of Guamá, which was entirely designed by the artist Rita Longa. For culturally minded travellers, these offer two distinct points of interest: a large number of archaeological sites and a village with a specific, named artistic design. This contrast expands Ciénaga’s natural character with archaeological and artistic perspectives.

Río Canímar and Varadero

Río Canímar combines park status with measurable river data. Parque Natural Turístico Río Canímar is one of the national monuments in the western province of Matanzas. The river is 19 kilometres long in total, of which more than 12 kilometres are navigable. These details answer different questions: monument status applies to the park, while the kilometre figures describe the river’s length and its navigable section. This section accounts for more than half of the river’s total length. Río Canímar can thus be understood both through its monument designation and its size.

In Varadero, Parque Josone is a park and a natural retreat. In the wider context of Cuba, Varadero covers 14.4 square kilometres; the sandy strip along the beach is an average of 22 metres wide. These two figures use different measures: the area of Varadero and the average width of the sandy strip. Parque Josone adds a park-related perspective to these size figures.

Discover Matanzas According to Your Interests

If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Matanzas, these different themes can provide a first guide. Would you like to focus mainly on wetlands and wildlife, are you interested in archaeological and artistic heritage, or do river landscapes and parks particularly appeal to you?

Discover more destinations: Varadero, Ciénaga de Zapata, Matanzas, Havana, Cienfuegos, Camaguey, Pinar Del Río, Santiago de Cuba.

View the broader travel overview: Cuba.