CIENFUEGOS - Cienfuegos City / Rancho Luna Beach / Yaguanabo
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Introduction
Once a predominantly agricultural province, Cienfuegos has undergone substantial development since the Revolution and is now one of the most industrialized of all the provinces and is now the center for the development of Cuba's petrochemical industry. Historically its location on the southern coast of central Cuba has made it vulnerable to attack from pirates and corsairs through the ages. As the Cuban authorities look towards promoting tourism on their island, so Cienfuegos has begun to gear up to accommodate a more welcome type of visitor.
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Since much of the province is relatively flat, the scenic foothills of the Escambray mountains in the east seem all the more dramatic. There are several unspoiled beaches stretching along the coast towards the province of Sancti Spiritus. Scuba diving off Cienfuegos province is extremely popular both with tourists and locals. There are numerous underwater caves, and well over 50 dive sites in the province.
Sugar is the area's main crop, with much of it being exported from the port of Cienfuegos, the capital of the province which is a lovely laid back provincial capital.
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Cienfuegos City
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Reaching out into the calm waters of a huge enclosed bay, with a waterfront promenade, broad avenues beautifying its leafy southern neighborhoods and some sumptuous colonial architecture, Cienfuegos is one of the prettiest, most laid–back cities in Cuba. Founded in 1819, much later than many provincial capitals, by French settlers as opposed to Spanish, this distinct history imbues the city with a sense of newness and gracefulness especially in the Punta Gorda district to the south, where mid 20th century Miami is evoked in the open plan layout. |
Considered the Cuban architectural jewel of the 19th century, Cienfuegos is outstanding for the perfect design of its streets and for the refinement and good taste of the buildings in the historic center of the city, which has been declared a national monument. When visiting, stop by the Casa del Fundador (Founder's House); Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception) Cathedral; Tomás Terry Theater; Ferrer Palace; and José Martí Park, which contains the only arch of triumph in Cuba.
Other attractions include the Prado Promenade, Valle Palace, Museums of Naval and Provincial History, Reina (Queen's) Cemetery and Jai–Alai Courts.
Farther out from the center of the city, tour the Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Jagua (Jagua for short) Fortress, Tomás Acea Cemetery and the Botanical Gardens.In addition to these cultural and historic attractions, Cienfuegos has excellent facilities for scuba diving and other water sports, nature tourism and thermal baths.
The botanical gardens is perhaps the most famed botanical garden in the country, housing over 2,000 tropical and sub–tropical plants. Among the impressive collection of plant species are more than 200 types of palm trees of araceae, there is also a collection of different types of palm trees indigenous to Cuba.
Playa Rancho Luna, situated 20km east of the city, is still very quiet and secluded.
The Castle of Our Lady of the Angels of Jagua, situated 22km from Cienfuegos city, was originally used by the Spanish as a small fort to keep out smugglers who used to enter Jagua Bay to obtain fresh water and food from the locals. It is now a much more substantial structure following the Spaniards' decision to develop it to defend the city from the more forceful threat offered by the English navy during the war between Spain and England. |
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Rancho Luna Beach
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Rancho Luna Beach is located just outside of Cienfuegos. The semicircle–shaped, soft sand and beach is bathed by peaceful and warm waters. There are different diving areas nearby. Its coastal platform is particularly rough and inhabited by a rich marine life; its shallow waters hide beautiful corals that form low and medium depth reefs in the Barreras Cove and in Las Playitas; abrupt underwater geography and abundant sponges, gorgonians and corals are located much deeper and are particularly enticing. |
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Yaguanabo
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An inviting installation consisting of small but comfortable cabanas in a protective screen of vegetation. Here, you can relax in peace and quiet broken only by the squabbling of local birds and the soothing sound of the river. In the villa, everything is designed to promote enjoyment, with various recreational activities, such as boat rides on the Yaguanabo River to Iguana Valley, horseback riding, swimming in the river and evenings al the villa's discotheque. |
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