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The 10 Best Things to Do in Camaguey, Cuba

Camagüey is Cuba’s easternmost, largest, and flattest province. Throughout the 17th century, sugar crops and cattle breeding significantly improved its economy and brought money to the province.  It is bordered by the country’s two largest archipelagos: Sabana-Camagüey, known as the Jardines del Rey (Gardens of the King), to the north, and the Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen), to the south.  Camagüey is a perfect place to discover peace and enjoy the greatest treasures of Camaguey, so here’s our guide to the best things to do in Camaguey, Cuba.  Camaguey is the place to come to if you don’t want to be bothered by jiniteros, hustlers trying to sell you tours, or casa particulars to stay in. 

The city of Camaguey is Cuba’s third-largest and surprisingly attracts few international visitors.  Most people arrive here by way of the Ignacio Agramonte International Airport, but the Viazul bus transports visitors here too. 

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#1 THING TO DO

Stay in a Casa Particular

Camaguey is the perfect place in Cuba to come and relax. Very few international visitors get here, so make the most of it and stay local and enjoy!

The Best 10 Things to Do in Camaguey, Cuba

Camagüey, in Cuba’s eastern half, is one of the island’s jewels. It is one of Cuba’s initial seven colonial communities, founded by Spanish colonists in the early 1500s, only a few years after Christopher Columbus first arrived in the New World. As a result, its UNESCO-listed meandering pastel-colored alleyways ooze history. At the same time, Camagüey, Cuba’s third-largest city, has also become a stronghold of art, and there’s enough to do in Camagüey no matter how long your visit. Here’s a list of things you should do while you’re here.

1. Stay in a Casa Particular in Camaguey

Casa Particulars are an awesome way to expand your knowledge of Cuban culture and a great accommodation option in Cuba.  Casa Particulars are a type of guest house or bed & breakfast that rents rooms to travelers looking to live in a private residence, close to the authentic country, and within the heart of its neighborhoods and people. We’ve stayed in casa particulars the length and breadth of Cuba and love them.  If you arrive in Camaguey on the Viazul Bus (read our guide here ) then you’ll likely be met by Casa Particular owners wanting to sell you their rooms for your stay.  Want to know more about Casa Particulars?  Our guide is here.

2. Explore Camaguey’s Centre

The Historic Center of Camagüey World Heritage Site is an exceptional example of Latin American urban architecture. Its irregular urban plan has resulted in a unique system of squares, minor squares, twisting streets, lanes, urban blocks, and plots.

3. Visit the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church is the most unique structure in Camaguey because of its architecture, monumentality, and importance to the religious heritage. The church has a close relationship with the Institute of the Pious Schools and Dolores Betancourt Agramonte, a key figure in the city’s Catholic faith.

4. Visit Camaguey’s other churches

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Merced – This is undoubtedly Camagüey’s most magnificent colonial church, dating from 1748. Its past is rife with legends, including the one where a miracle figure floated from the ocean here in 1601, and it has been a place of devotion ever since.

Iglesia de San Lazaro – The Iglesia de San Lazaro is a lovely (though small) cream-colored church from the year 1700. The surrounding cloistered hospital was later built by pious Franciscan friar Padre Valencia to care for leprosy sufferers.

Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria – A tour through Camagüey’s religious history should begin with the city’s most notable church, which is named after the city’s patron saint. The cathedral was totally renovated using monies obtained after Pope John Paul II’s 1998 visit. It was rebuilt in the 19th century on the foundation of an older chapel dating from 1530. While not the most visually appealing church in Camagüey, it is notable for the majestic Christ figure that rises on top of a bell tower.

Iglesia de Nuestra Corazón de Sagrado Jesús – Parque Mart, a few streets east of Parque Ignacio Agramonte, is home to one of Cuba’s few neo-Gothic churches. The ornate stained glass, ornamental ironwork, and pointed arches of the triple-spired Iglesia de Nuestra Corazón de Sagrado Jesus belong to the architectural subgenre of Catalan Gothic.

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad – This magnificent baroque structure, which dates from 1779, is gleaming following a much-lauded 2007 refurbishment. The church’s charming cream-and-terracotta tower really predates the rest of it. The beautiful baroque paintings and the sacred font where national hero Ignacio Agramonte was christened in 1841 make it a striking sight on the city skyline.

Iglesia de la Caridad – This church was built as a chapel in the 18th century on the city’s southern outskirts. It includes a magnificent silver altar (from about 1730) and an image of the Virgin de la Caridad del Cobre, complete with an embossment of Cuba’s national flower, la mariposa (white jasmine), and was renovated twice in the twentieth century (in 1930 and 1945).

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen – This 1825 twin-towered baroque beauty is a work of art. Monasterio de las Ursalinas, the old convent, is a strong, arched colonial tower with a lovely, secluded courtyard that previously offered sanctuary for victims of the devastating storm of 1932. Today, it houses the City Historian’s offices.

Iglesia de San Cristo del Buen Viaje – This church, located next to Camagüey’s Necropolis and facing a peaceful plaza, is perhaps the least frequented of Camagüey’s ecclesiastical octet. Still, it’s worth a look if you’re visiting the cemetery. Although a chapel was built here in 1723, the present construction is mostly from the nineteenth century.

5. Hang out at Casino Campestre

Take a relaxing wander around the Casino Campestre Park, taking in the monuments along the way.

The Parque Gonzalo de Quesada (Gonzalo de Quesada Park), also known as the Parque Casino Campestre (Casino Campestre Park), is located on the opposite bank of the Hatibonico River from Camagüey’s historic center. The city’s green center is a haven for recollections and a larger urban park that spans Cuba.

The Park, which was built in 1860, has numerous shaded seats, a baseball stadium, concerts, and other events. It also has lush trees, gorgeous sculptures, and historical artifacts in its interior.

A roundabout at the park’s entrance houses one of the park’s most prominent monuments. It is named after the Spanish pilots Mariano Barberán and Joaquin Collar. They were key figures in the first nonstop flight between Spain and Cuba, notably between Sevilla and Camagüey, in 1933.

6. Drink Wine in Camaguey

You probably never expected to come upon a wine cellar in Cuba! And La Cava provides a unique experience for visitors to Camagüey, with a wide selection of wines from Cuba and throughout the globe, some as little as US$10 per bottle.

The tapas are delicious and reasonably priced, and the cold, oak-scented environment makes you feel like you’re in a lovely old basement.  If you want a fancy atmosphere with non-pretentious food, this is the place to go.

7. Explore Camaguey’s Museums

Martha Jiménez’s Studio Workshop – The art studio of female artist Martha Jimenez Perez, who has been called “one of Cuba’s greatest living painters,” is open to the public and is located at 282 Hermanos Ageero Street between Carmen and Honda in Camaguey, Cuba. Ceramics, lino prints, paintings, and sculptures, as well as an overview of her work and famous pieces, may be found at Martha’s studio.

Estudio Galeria Magdiel – Magdiel is a great wood sculptor who makes a wide range of little and large sculptures, many of which can be dismantled and rebuilt with ease, which can be seen at Estudio Galeria Magdiel. Estudio Galeria Magdiel is located at San Juan de Dios No. 26 B, Camaguey, Cuba near Restaurante 1800 and La Campana.

Casa de Arte Jover – Joel Jover and his wife Ileana Sanchez, two of the most talented contemporary painters, owned this studio near General Ignacio Agramonte Revolution Square. It’s a big, renovated colonial mansion with galleries in the front displaying his and his wife’s paintings.

Museo Provincial General Ignacio Agramonte – This museum, located in Av. de los Martires 2, Camaguey 70200 Cuba, is one of the best in Camaguey. The front exterior belies the interior’s style. Rooms full of things from ancient homes, classical paintings, and a minor natural history area surround a big courtyard/garden. 

Fine Art Studio Noguel – Fine Art Studio Noguel located in Plaza del Carmen, Camagüey, Cuba. Fine Art Studio Noguel has handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces with high aesthetic and semantic importance.

8. Visit Plaza Del Carmen

Around 600m west of the madness of Repblica lies another sublimely lovely square, one that is less used than the major plazas. It is backed on the east by the magnificent Iglesia de Nuestra Senora del Carmen, one of the city’s most beautiful churches.

Plaza del Carmen was a ruin more than a decade ago, but it has since been restored to a better condition than the original. The center cobblestone plaza has been imbued with massive tinajones (large clay pots), ambient street lighting, and one-of-a-kind life-sized statues representing camagüeyanos going about their everyday business.  There are so many of these clay pots around that Camaguey is known as the city of tinajones

9. Go to the Calle de los Cinemas in Camaguey

Cinema Street is a whole street devoted to all things related to movies. With five theatres, cafés, and other businesses paying tribute to the big screen, this is a must-see if you like watching movies.

Many of the complexes were built in the late 1940s and early 1950s but were neglected and finally fell into ruin. However, to commemorate the city’s 500th anniversary in 2014, the whole street was given a spectacular makeover. The theatres now show everything from the newest Hollywood blockbuster to indie Cuban flicks.

10. Drink Fabulous Cuban Cocktails in Camaguey

Most Cuban alcoholic beverages include rum, and the country is well-known for its cocktail culture. Cuba and Cuban drinks are well-known around the world for their flavor — to learn more about Cuban cocktails, check out our guide to the best Cuban cocktails .  Here are some of the best spots to get yourself a great Cuban cocktail in Camaguey.

Gran Hotel Terraza Bar

The Gran Hotel’s cocktail master will mix mojitos and daiquiris as you look out the window over the city’s best view — all of Camagüey laid bare before you. Drop down to the swimming pool for the curiously addictive water ballet presentations, which take place multiple times a week at 9:15 p.m.

Bodegón Don Cayetano

This simple Spanish-style taverna, tucked underneath Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, is especially suited as a drinking establishment. There is an excellent wine selection, but more delicate cuisine may be found elsewhere. Tables spill onto the alley next door.

Bar El Cambio

This dive pub has one room, four tables, and a lot of atmosphere. It has graffiti-splattered walls and wonderfully named beverages.

Bar Yesterday

This Beatles-themed pub has an expansive inner terrace as well as life-size bronze statues of the Fab Four. Locals visit for food and cold beers.

La Bigornia

This lurid-purple boutique bar-restaurant attracts local youths. The sports shop attracts scantily dressed 18-to-25-year-olds for date nights and beverages before Noche Camagüeyana adventures on its mezzanine level.

Why come to Camaguey?

Camagüey is often forgotten by tourists traveling through Cuba. It isn’t as colorful as Trinidad or as intriguing as Havana, and it lacks the big-ticket attractions that bring travelers. But it’s precisely this aspect that draws in visitors for a unique and entertaining visit. There’s now (in 2024) a direct bus from Trinidad to Camaguey, so you can see both cities easily.

Where to Stay in Camaguey

Here are our recommendations for the best places to stay in Camaguey.

Danny’s Casa Particular in Camaguey provides luxurious rooms in a traditional home in Camaguey. It gets fabulous reviews and has a gorgeous garden. This beautifully renovated family home is located in the heart of this delightful, UNESCO World Heritage-listed town. It is just a five-minute walk Calle República – Camagüey’s historic, cobblestoned main street. Rates at this Camaguey casa particular include a delicious breakfast, cooked to order, and a free wifi card on arrival. You can also take a home-cooked evening meal with fresh ingredients from the local market. These rooms book out quickly, so reserve your dates quickly!

The Hostal Casa Flores in Camaguey is a fabulous colonial house, in the historic center of Camaguey, located just twenty meters from the theater of Camagüey and 300m from the central Plaza de Los Trabajadores. Rooms here have private bathrooms and A/C. You’ll be offered a welcome cocktail and have access to the patios and living rooms. It is a fabulous place to stay and Rachel is a great host to stay with. Check availability here.

How to Get to Camaguey

Camaguey is well served on the Viazul Bus network. It’s on the route from Trinidad to Holguin and also on the Havana to Santiago de Cuba route. However, not all the bus times are great (Unless you like getting into a new city in the middle of the night!). You can read my guide to the Viazul Bus network here.

By far the easiest way to visit Camaguey is to get a transfer – and depending on how long you want to stay, you can use Camaguey as a stop off. We recommend using Daytrip to go from Havana to Camaguey, or from Trinidad to Camaguey.

Alternatively you can visit Camaguey on many other routes like Havana to Holguin, Havana to Santiago de Cuba or Trinidad to Baracoa. Check the routes to Camaguey here, and stop offs that you can make along the way.

ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR EXPLORING CUBA INDEPENDENTLY

These are the resources and booking sites that we use when traveling to Cuba.

-Get a Cuba Travel and Medical Insurance Quote from Visitors Coverage here – Alternatively, Civitatis Insurance is a great option for the required insurance for Cuba. Read about the Cuba eVisa , and buy your Cuban eVisa here.

Flying via the USA and relying on entry with an ESTA? Read this.

Book your Viazul Bus tickets here Use Daytrip to book transport between cities AND to sightsee along the way

Pre-book and prepay shared & private shuttles here Book the best FREE Walking Tours in Cuba Reserve attractions, day trips, and activities in Cuba here Get online in Cuba EASILY with a Cuba eSIM Card here, or read my guide to Cuba physical SIMs here.

Download and install a VPN BEFORE you travel to Cuba > discount coupon here Book Accommodation in Cuba’s Casa Particular here

Final Words on the 10 Best Things to Do in Camaguey

Camagüey is the easternmost, biggest, and flattest province in Cuba. The city of Camaguey is very different from other places that you’ll visit in Cuba.  It’s completely non-touristy and you’ll get to experience a little normal life in this part of Cuba, the city of the tinajones!  Camagüey is a beautiful spot to find calm and appreciate Camaguey’s finest attractions. Come to Camaguey and tell me if you like it as much as I do.

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Sarah Carter

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Between bell towers and sea foam: Camagüey province   turns out to be a pleasant surprise for the travelers who decide to make a journey across the Island. Vast plains and abundant palm trees characterize the countryside scenery. Two clusters of low mountains stand out in the flat landscape: Sierra de Cubitas, to the North, is remarkable for its canyons cutting it deeply and transversely as well as for the presence of a great amount of archeologically relevant caves; Sierra de Najasa, to the South, features fossil wood remnants, a dazzling natural marvel. Right in the very center, as if emerging from the past, the capital city breaks through, full of magnificent bell towers and elegant old buildings that were once the core of the village Santa María del Puerto del Principe: a labyrinthine web of streets, alleys and squares unparalleled in the Caribbean region , declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in 2008. Read more...

Crystal clear waters and fine golden sand distinguish the beaches of Camagüey, the province having the largest amount of islets and keys in Cuba. There are over 120 km of beautiful beaches located either in the northern or the southern part of the province: a quarter of all Cuban beaches . Sabana-Camagüey is the northern-shore group of keys, a transit and nesting place for numerous species of migratory birds and the greatest pink flamingo natural reserve in the Western Hemisphere. Cayo Romano, particularly, was the landscape chosen by Ernest Hemingway to look for Nazi submarines during the Second World War as well as to go hunting and fishing. To the South, the Jardines de la Reina keys are exotic and have wild natural scenery, with abundant coral reef biodiversity and sandy beaches.

Among all these tourist highlights, the best thing visitors find on their journey is the people from Camagüey: gentle, proud, educated and attached to their land and traditions. Getting to know Camagüey and its people is a unique experience worth trying.

WHAT TO DO IN CAMAGÜEY

Be amazed by the wide array of options for tourism in Camaguey province. Beaches, culture, nature, places of tourist interest, excursions inside and outside the city will make your visit to this Cuban province an experience to remember.

NAUTICAL ACTIVITIES

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Cuba's third-largest city is easily the suavest and most sophisticated after Havana. The arts shine bright here and it's also the bastion of the Catholic Church on the island. Well known for going their own way in times of crisis, its resilient citizens are called agramontinos by other Cubans, after local First War of Independence hero Ignacio Agramonte, coauthor of the Guáimaro constitution and courageous leader of Cuba's finest cavalry brigade.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Plaza del Carmen

Around 600m west of the frenzy of República sits another sublimely beautiful square, one less visited than the central plazas. It's backed on the eastern…

Casa de Arte Jover

Camagüey is home to two of Cuba's most creative and prodigious contemporary painters, Joel Jover and his wife Ileana Sánchez. Their magnificent home in…

Museo Provincial Ignacio Agramonte

Named (like half of Camagüey) after the exalted local War of Independence hero, this cavernous museum, just north of the train station, is in a Spanish…

Martha Jiménez Pérez

In Cuba's ceramics capital, the studio-gallery of Martha Jiménez Pérez shows the work of one of Cuba's greatest living artists. See everything from pots…

Museo Casa Natal de Ignacio Agramonte

The birthplace of independence hero Ignacio Agramonte (1841–73), the cattle rancher who led the Camagüey area's revolt against Spain. The house – an…

Estudio-Galería Jover

The working studio of Joel Jover, a noted Cuban artist with exhibits in New York, Vienna and Italy. By comparison, his works here are a bargain (though…

Plaza San Juan de Dios

Looking more Mexican than Cuban (Mexico was capital of New Spain so the colonial architecture was often superior), Plaza San Juan de Dios is Camagüey's…

Parque Ignacio Agramonte

Camagüey's most dazzling square in the heart of the city invites relaxation with rings of marble benches and an equestrian statue (c 1950) of Camagüey's…

Camagüey: Discover Cuba’s Under-Rated Colonial Jewel

Camagüey is a Cuba’s third largest city, and yet it only sees a fraction of the visitors of Havana, Trinidad and Viñales. In fact, unless you’ve been  travelling in Cuba , or have started planning a trip to Cuba , it’s unlikely that you’ve heard of the city’s tangled alleyways, stately baroque-style buildings and sprawling Spanish plazas. This is a real shame because Camagüey has all the history, architecture, and charm of more popular cities in Cuba, but none of the crowds or hassle.

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We arrived in Camagüey after travelling through Cuba for two weeks and to be honest, we didn’t expect much. But upon arrival, we hopped on a cyclo-taxi and, as it weaved its way through a labyrinth of cobblestone back roads, past street markets and through open parks, the sun peered between the shadows of meticulously constructed 16th century buildings and echoed with the familiar sound of Cuban music being played in the streets.

This is Camagüey and if you’re heading to Cuba, you won’t want to miss it.

What To Expect

After reading the Lonely Planet’s description of Camagüey, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a medina-like maze, congested with street touts, hassle and hustlers, but that simply wasn’t the case in our experience. While the streets in this city don’t follow the usual grid-like pattern of other Spanish towns, the jungle of knotted  calles is actually very airy and not as claustrophobic as a medina in Morocco.

The clustered streets are a direct result of the city’s historical battles and its constant defence against rebel-raiders like Henry Morgan. The complicated layout was created to confuse invading pirates and provide shelter for the city’s residents, who were constantly on edge from the relentless attacks.

Today, the peculiar urban blueprint makes for a unique place to visit, and now that there are no more musket-toting pirates to worry about, it has become a fun place to explore.

What To See

Calle República: The main kilometer-long pedestrian walkway. Here you can stroll, shop and enjoy an ambiance and energy that only a lively Cuban city is able to provide. Cafes, bars and bistros all spill out onto the street, their colorful umbrellas, ice-cold beers and live salsa music luring you in every time you pass by.

Places of Worship: Camagüey is known as Cuba’s Catholic soul, so you’ll find a higher concentration of churches, cathedrals and chapels than anywhere else in the country. The first one that will likely catch your eye is the enormous Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral. Its castle-like towers and gothic archways can be seen soaring above the skyline from most parts of the city. Other beautiful churches include the Church of San Juan de Dios in the San Juan Plaza and Church de la Soledad which dominates an intersection on  Calle  República.

Theatre Street:  This row of 3 theatres (plus a theatre themed restaurant) is one of the most unusual areas in Camagüey. If you’re in town in time to see a show, definitely don’t miss it! This is where Camagüey’s annual theatre festival is held and great productions can be seen here year-round.

Plaza Del Carmen: This beautiful plaza opens up at the end of a narrow pedestrian street that is lined with pastel-colored colonial homes. The square was restored in the 18th century and today it boasts some sculptures, a beautiful church (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen), and classic Camagüey stylings.

Plaza San Juan de Dios: A lovely national monument and one of the best examples of a colonial relic in Cuba, this tranquil and elegantly designed square is lined with colonial arches, red-tile-roofed homes and cobblestone walkways. Your guidebook may list the restaurants in this square as some of the best, but we feel that the notoriety has gone to the chefs’ heads and you can actually find tastier food at better prices elsewhere.

Plaza Maceo: Sometimes you can catch live music here, including salsa, merengue and even classical orchestras. The real highlight of this open space is the nearby La Cava wine cellar (more below).

Avenida de los Martires (Avenue of the Martyrs): A kilometer-long showcase of Cuba’s finest column-entrance facades, Avenida de los Martires is one of the most fascinating streets to stroll on in Camagüey. The best part is that the enormous columns provide an overhanging shade so that you can walk here even in the heat of the day.

Something that really sets Camagüey apart from other cities in Cuba is its high concentration of good restaurants with affordable prices. After spending time in Trinidad , Viñales, Cienfuegos and Havana, we couldn’t believe how cheap and delicious the food was in Camagüey!

La Isabella Restaurant: This funky little place serves up pasta dishes, tasty pizzas and affordable bottles of wine (from $10). But what really makes La Isabella special is the funky theatre decor. Located on the street of theatres, this place really does a good job of giving the diners the impression that they’re eating in a cinema lobby.

La Cava Restaurant & Wine Cellar: If you’re looking for a posh setting without a pretentious menu and price list, then La Cava is the perfect place to spend your afternoon. The scent of aged oak and tasty appetizers fills this chilly wine cellar and the wait staff is very professional (an unusual occurrence in Cuba).

Bodegon Don Cayetano: This place probably has the best location in town. Nestled under the shadows of the Soledad Church on  Calle  República, it is a great place to come for a cold beer and some appetizers. Plus there is live music on most nights.

Pizzeria La Piazza: You’ll find this restaurant right across from La Soledad Church and while it won’t win any awards for service, it’s the best place to try Tinima, Camagüey’s famous local beer. You can pay for your meal in national pesos so make sure that you’re given the peso menu. The staff often give  gringos a “special” menu that is around 4 times more expensive than the normal one. Ask to see the peso menu.

Nearby Attractions:

Coco Beach: Located about an hour and a half outside of the city center, this is one of the nicest beaches in Cuba. You can lounge on the sand, go diving, or spot flamingos, as well as enjoy a wide variety of water-based activities.

If all of these sites, great restaurants, theatrical productions, nearby attractions and a cool street layout isn’t enough to lure you to Camagüey, then let it be the vibe that convinces you to visit. A stroll along the column-lined boulevard of  Avenida de los Mártires , getting lost in the backstreets of central Camagüey, or walking the length of Calle República feels very different from similar jaunts in other Cuban cities. Camagüey has a wonderfully sophisticated feel and the locals will welcome you in. If you’re heading to Cuba, then make sure you plan to visit Camagüey, we guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.

I’ve been there! Very nice part of Cuba. Glad to see it mentioned!

Thanks for the pictures of the city where I was born. I love them! It was a marvelous place to live and even when it looks still gorgeous in many place it is not the shadow of what it was years ago. I used to live 1 block from La Isabella and the pictures have brought so many memories. Thanks again.

Rafael, just wanted to know if you are related to Rafael Morán de la Vega who married Faustina de Latorre. If so I would like to hear from you so please contact me at [email protected] . Thanks.

[email protected] is my email please contact me.

I’m just wondering if we may be related. My father’s name was Carlos Manuel Moran. He was born in Camaguey

Great article Nick, we’re heading off to Cuba in March for three weeks and Camaguey is definitely on our radar. Do you have a Casa recommendation? Thanks in advance, Hazel

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Natural Attractions in Camagüey

The predominance of the large plains does not prevent the area from having significant natural highlights , just the opposite: the rivers flowing through these endless prairies have modeled a spectacular panorama of canyons, creeks, caves and natural pools carved in limestone, being the Cangilones del Río Máximo the most outstanding: nearly 300 meters of slabs form a unique landscape in which the current flows placidly on the polished rock surface. If you are interested in learning more about the striking nature of Camagüey, Cuba , keep reading. Read More...

In the north coast is the Sabana-Camagüey Cays, place of transit and nesting of numerous species of migratory birds.

To the south, the Jardines de la Reina cays, an exotic and wild natural region, presents abundant coral reefs of wide biodiversity and some sandy beaches of little extension.

Two mountain clusters of low elevation stand out in the plain landscape: Sierra de Cubitas to the north is notable for the canyons and pass that cut it, deep and transversely. The main elevation is the Tuabaquey hill, 330 meters high. The presence of caves with secondary formations and with paleontological and archeological interest is considerable; in the Sierra de Najasa, in the south, stands the fossil woods, among other notable natural elements.

The hydrography of Camagüey   is represented by Caonao, San Pedro, Máximo and Saramaguacán rivers, and the Jimaguayú, Porvenir, Amistad Cubano-Bulgara and Muñoz dams.

Protected Areas of tourist interest in Camagüey, Cuba

Fauna refuge los ballenatos keys and nuevitas bay mangrove.

The area is located in the municipality of Nuevitas, exactly inside the bay of the same name. Access to the area is by sea. Its peaks known as Los Ballenatos, due to their shape, constitute the symbol of the city of Nuevitas and emerge up to the maximum height of 54.2 meters above sea level in Ballenato Grande. A trail is made in Ballenato del Medio consisting of a journey through the key to its highest point where there is a viewpoint from which you can see the Bay of Nuevitas.

The flora identified to date is made up of 156 species, belonging to 105 genera and 66 families; 11.71% of them are endemic.

For its part, the fauna of the area has been studied in recent years, showing the existence of 121 species belonging to 53 families. From the faunistic point of view, Los Ballenatos has values of interest due to the presence of national and local endemic species and subspecies such as the jutía conga (Capromys pilorides), the iguana (Cyclura nubila nubila), the juan chiví (Vireo gundlachii) and the crested lizard (Anolis jubar ballaenarum).

Limones-Tuabaquey Ecologic Reserve

Located in Sierra de Cubitas, not so far from the capital city, to the north, we find the ecological reserve Limones-Tuabaquey, an important wildlife and vegetation shelter, considered the largest and best preserved site of the two forest areas existing in the province. Among the most important natural spots in the zone is the Hoyo de Bonet, an 80 meters-deep sinkhole containing an evergreen forest made of more than 400 botanical species; more than 15 per cent of it endemic of the place. There are also more than 75 bird species and valuable sites as the Pichardo cave pictographs, the best preserved of the Caribbean, and the deepest underground lake system in Cuba.

Protected Area of Managed Resources Sierra del Chorrillo

Another significant place regarding the natural beauty of Camagüey is Sierra del Chorrillo, which can be reached going eastwards from Camagüey City, 24km along the Main Road, and then turning south, to Najasa municipality. Within this protected area locates Rancho La Belén, a tourist farm famous for its stallion horse display, bird-watching trails and horseback-riding pathways through Santa Gertrudis Path; there are comfortable rooms as well as some other facilities.

Featured Natural Element Najasa Fossil Forest

The Najasa Fossil Forest is located in the southeast of the province of Camagüey, in the municipality of Najasa; The most distant deposit, Santa Rosa, is located 6 km from the main entrance of the Sierra del Chorrillo protected area (La Belén), 18.5 km from the town of Najasa and 79 km from the provincial capital.

A unique curiosity of its kind in Cuba: the fossil forest; It consists of a concentration of remnants of trees in the form of heels or pieces that have been petrified for more than three million years spread all over a hectare.

The primary interest of the site is geological-paleontological-botanical in nature, and lies in the geological quality of the petrification phenomenon that occurred there, which gives the site inestimable cultural and heritage values that are essential to conserve. Various forms, numerous fragments and whole plant organisms, coming from archaic geological times, were preserved in a natural way, constituting a rarity, not only for Cuba, but for the world. In the country there are 4 sites that can be classified as fossil forests, being Najasa the most important. Since 1887, according to the National Monuments Commission, silicified woods have been discovered in Najasa. In 1984, Manuel Iturralde Vinent explained, after visiting the site: "... this is the first town in Cuba where preserved remains of the soft parts of a plant have been found." The fossil deposits of petrified trees were declared a National Monument on June 11, 2007.

Outstanding Natural Element Cangilones del Río Máximo

The rivers that cross these endless meadows have modeled a spectacular panorama of canyons, abrasions, caves and natural pools carved out of limestone, the greatest exponent of which is the Cangilones del Río Máximo: approximately 300 meters of slabs form an unrepeatable landscape in which the current runs placidly over the polished surface of the rock.

Other Protected Areas in Camagüey, Cuba

-Maternillos-Tortuguilla Ecological Reserve. -Fauna Refuge Río Máximo. -Protected Area of Managed Resources Wetlands of Cayo Romano. -Protected Area of Managed Resources Sierra de Cubitas. -Protected Area of Managed Resources Cayo Guajaba. -Protected Area de Managed Resources Cayo Sabinal. -Protected Natural Landscape Cerro Cachimbo. -Protected Natural Landscape Sierra de Najasa. -Fauna Refuge Correa. -Fauna Refuge Cayo Cruz. -Macurije Wildlife Refuge- Santa María. -Managed Floristic Reserve Silla de Cayo Romano. -Managed Floristic Reserve Los Orientales. -Managed Floristic Reserve Humedales de San Felipe. -Managed Floristic Reserve Laguna Larga. -Managed Floristic Reserve Sierra de Guaicanamar.

Buró de Reservas Ecotur El Bambú

Centro Turístico El Bambú, República No.279 (53) 32244957

Buró de Reservas Ecotur Hotel Gran Club Santa Lucía

Hotel Gran Club Santa Lucía, Avenida Turística, Playa Santa Lucía, Nuevitas. (53) 32336655

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