Baracoa, Cuba

Baracoa will celebrate its 500th anniversary in 2011. This port city of 42,000 inhabitants is famous for its tropical weather, its lush greenery, products such as coconut, cacao and coffee and its many opportunities for ecological excursions. These vary from cave spelunking, hiking to Yumuri, the tabletop mountain, river trips up the river Toa to exploring Playa Managua and its nearby coral reef.

The main attraction for most visitors is Baracoa’s richness of culture. Its years of isolation ( the road to the outside was only finished in the 60’s ) have produced generations of unique painters, distinctive musicians and prolific writers. The city is a music lover’s paradise, with many different groups performing in various venues within walking distance of each other. From the Casa Cultural, El Patio to La Terraza , Casa de la Trova to Ranchon, etc. the visitor can hear and see everything from tradition Eastern folk music duos and trios to sophisticated, choreographed spectacles with brilliant costumes and full orchestra. From bistros to discos, Baracoa has it all. 

Click on the link to view the work of local Baracoa artist Mildo Matos Carcasés.