Cuba: Natural and Exotic. Yeah that’s right I said “Cuba”. No… I’m not talking about resort plastered cities like Varadero – I’m talking about Holguin, Cuba.
Located in the north-east of Cuba, Holguin is the country’s third largest city, after Havana and Santiago de Cuba. With rugged mountains, lush vegetation and pristine beaches, Holguin is known for it’s natural beauty. Legend has is that Holguin’s stunning beaches and rugged mountain backdrop inspired Christopher Columbus to exclaim this was “the most beautiful land eyes have ever seen.” With only a handful of resorts, Holguin’s natural beauty remains relatively untouched, making it a hot destination for eco tourism.
I stayed along Playa Esmerelda, aptly named after its stunning Emerald coloured water.
Bring out your inner eco-tourist, because with coral reefs and caves, you’ll be sure to find some interesting marine life as you snorkel. If you’re lucky (or maybe not so lucky), you may be able to spot a barracuda . If you’re more of a beach bum type – Don’t worry you’ll still see some wildlife…
like this crab who decided to join us for drinks at the lobby bar…
… or the crabs that wander the beach
If you’re looking for some more marine excitement, hop on your beach-side catamaran and make your way to Bahia Naranjo – a natural reserve where you can swim with Dolphins.
You don’t have to be an eco-tourist to enjoy Holguin, Cuba. Just grab your Pina Colada, sit back and relax. Cheers!
Oh crazy… Ive only been to varadero, and havana. How does holguin compare to cayo coco?