Caibarién	Thanks a lot to Petra Barth for the translation!
	Pension Virginia Ciudad Pesquera #73 Caibarién Villa Clara Tel. ++53 (42) 36 33 03 Price: 20 CUC Description: Virginia rent two rooms in their big house. Both rooms dispose of a king-size bed, air conditioning, ventilator, fridge, and an own bathroom with hot and cold water, one room in addition with TV. All windows are covered by mosquito nets – a very important feature in Caibarién... The furniture and bath facilities in both rooms are new, rooms and bathrooms are cleaned every day. The spacious house disposes of a large dining room, a living room with TV, video, DVD, and a stereo equipment. At the entrance two rocking chairs invite you to watch this small quarter. If you are not too interested in others, but tend more towards hedonism, you’ll find your paradise in one oft he two hammocks in the large patio. From there you can smell the kitchen, where Virginia’s sister creates delicious meals fort he guests, even for vegetarians – above all enthusiasts of fish and shellfish will fully get their money’s worth, because the symbol oft he city (see picture) often dissappears in the pot. To complete the services of this well run guesthouse, clothes can be cleaned and the necessary snorkeling equipment fort he excellent beaches of Cayo Santa Maria and Las Brujas can be borrowed. Cars can be parked directly in front of the house. None of the five houses in Caibarién convinced me like the one of Virginia. Reservation: via e-Mail (communication in English und Spanish)

Caibarién is a small town at the northern coast of the Villa Clara province. It is focused on fishing (including crayfish), but nowadays the near tourist resorts are the most important and favourite employers. The large park is the heart of the ample centre. In addition, also the long Malecón (boardwalk) and the small beach are worth a visit. The most important reason to look for an accomodation in Caibarién however is the proximity to the small islands Cayo Las Brujas and Cayo Santa María. Both islands are connected tot he mainland by an embankment and dispose of extraordinarily beautiful beaches with finest white sand and crystal clear water – ideal for snorkeling and diving.

In the city

• Caibarién is a small calm town which does not bother tourists, nobody wants to sell you something or will ask for an elevated price. This pleasant ambience can be enjoyed in the p ark or in a café – certainly you also find someone to talk to if you want.

• Strolling along the Malecón (the boardwalk), watching the fishermen or having a look at their catch is also a must. In the bay the young people do sailing exercises – a nice view with numerous boats crossing the bay. On the Malecón small restaurants or bars invite you to drink something with music in the background.

• If you don't want to go every day to the islands for a swim, you can content yourself with the small local beach of Caibarién . The beach is tidy, the water calm, palm trees offer shadow. A small bar helps to overcome thirst and hunger. In summer the beach becomes the bathtub of Caibarién – tourists are rare. You get from the centre to the beach by horse-drawn carriage for 2 Pesos (park – hospital and hospital – beach each 1 Peso). A velotaxi takes you for 10 Pesos to the beach (each way). The guesthouse from Virginia and Osmany lies at about half way between beach and centre, both are within walking distance or by horse-drawn carriage (1 Peso).

Excursions

• The islands Las Brujas and Santa María
  A road on a long embankment connects both islands "Las Brujas" and "Santa María" with the land. Both dispose of extraordinary beautiful sandy beaches with fine white sand and crystal clear water. The only disadvantage is that the vegetation does not grow high and is no protection against the strong solar irradiation.
  There is a small hotel of the Cuban hotel chain “Gaviota on the island "Las Brujas" which you reach first. Next to the bungalows it offers a good restaurant with a nice view of the island and the sea. At the hotel beach there are loungers and parasols. Since there are rarely many guests in the hotel, this beach is a comfortable and calm alternative to a “wild” beach – including the advantage of nice food, cold beverages, and a parasol. The entrance for day visitors is 4 CUC including a small sandwich and a drink of your own choice from the above mentioned restaurant.
  You can also visit the beach at the hotels of the island Santa María at a day rate. However, in those big all-inclusive hotels it is less quiet and the day rate is extraordinary (between 30 and 50 CUC).
  Of course you can visit other than hotel beaches. Nevertheless this requires sufficient sun protection, a parasol, and above all an adequate means of transport.
  In order to be flexible it is worth it to rent a car or scooter (from 50 and 24 CUC respectively per day). If you rent a scooter, ensure to take enough sun protection with you, otherwise you may return wearing the colours of the symbol of Caibaríen. A taxi is a little cheaper to go there – you should expect 35-40 CUC for both ways (until the hotel Gaviota on Las Brujas). It is very important to make a date with the choffer who will fetch you up in the evening, since the taxis on the island are overprice – the trip back to Remedios costs at least 35 CUC. The taxi central has only very few cars, therefore you should book the trip to the islands as early as possible (at last the evening before – depending on the season).
  A last, however uncomfortable and unsure possibility to get to the islands is the bus for the hotel personnel. Uncomfortable, because you need to wait at the roadside, unsure, because you don't know whether the driver will take you or not until it arrives.
  It should be mentioned that a valid passport is required to visit the islands. “Normal" Cubans except hotel personnel have no access. Cubans with a valid passport and/or residence outside of Cuba are nevertheless also invited to visit the tourist islands.
  Last but not least – do not forget mosquito protection, since these teasers start their attack as soon as the sun goes down.

• Remedios: This town is a colonial jewel and a must for everybody passing nearby. Remedios is one of the first five cities founded by the Spanish and wins over by its colonial architecture, impressive churches, homely squares and inviting restaurans and bars. In contrast to Trinidad Remedios has not yet been conquered by the tourist bulks and therefore an insider tip. If you are more interested in architecture than longing to be close to the sea like me, Remedios is a good choice as starting point for one-day-trips to the islands ( Las Brujas and Santa María) as well as to Caibarién. Between Remedios and Caibarién there is a train about twice per day, several buses and from the park in Caibarién you can take a collective taxi for 5-10 CUP per way for the 7 km to Remedios. If you know a sportive drivers of a bicycle-taxi, you can do the trip also in this extraordinary means of transport – in any case the best opportunity to look at the landscape at both sides of the street and possibly to take photos. For more details please read the page about Remedios!

Arrival and departure

• Railway You can reach Caibarién from Santa Clara by train, there is one per day between both cities that stops in all villages and towns in between. The journey lasts two hours and costs 1.90 CUP. You should buy the tickets two hours prior to the train's departure opposite to the railway station of Santa Clara . Every second day there is a train between Sagua and Caibarién with stop in Remedios. For further information about the trip Santa Clara – Caibarién please read the report.
• ASTRO There is a daily bus between Santa Clara and Caibarién
• Colectivo The quickest alternative for the passage Santa Clara - Caibarién certainly is the collective taxi – the price per passenger is approximately 30-40 CUP.
• Tourist-taxi The most simple and expensive possibility for the passage Santa Clara - Remedios of course is the tourist taxi which costs about 20 CUC per way.