Manzanillo	This page is realised with the suggestions of Julia
	Manzanillo Casa Particular / B&B César y Blanca Sariol #245 e/ Saco y Dr. Codina Manzanillo Granma Note: In the downtown, near Parque Céspedes, you find some Césas and Blancas house with gastronomic service, air conditioning and bathroom (with cold and hot water). This is a recomendation of Julia. I don't know the house and never have been there up to now...

Bañado por las aguas del Golfo de Guacanayabo, el pueblo de Celia Sánchez Manduley nos regala una amplia gama de atracciones. A continuación mencionamos algunas de ellas: Un paseo por el parque Carlos Manuel de Céspedes es algo más que eso; si bien, como de costumbre, los principales edificios se disponen en su derredor, esta vez hay una particularidad en la arquitectura: una notable influencia morisca que indudablemente se aprecia en su glorieta central, emblemático hito que, como una reliquia, forma parte del orgullo cultural de sus habitantes. Multifacético espacio público, que en el transcurso del día va sufriendo variadas transformaciones, este parque, lugar de reunión por excelencia, convoca a viejos y jóvenes, y son estos últimos los dueños y señores, cuando por las noches esperan a que se abran las puertas de la discoteca y el cabaret. El fin de semana es escenario de la orquesta que, con el típico órgano, nos regala un espectáculo digno de disfrutar. Este corazón urbano no solamente es rico en lo formal, ya que en su entorno se desarrollan variadas actividades: la casa de la cultura y el pequeño museo en la calle Martí brindan desde muestras y charlas hasta espectáculos con grupos musicales típicos de la zona. Un recién inaugurado bulevar en la calle J. M. Gómez completa este compacto centro neurálgico…

Suggestions in the city

Ampliando un poco más el radio de acción, seguimos encontrando atractivos para todos los gustos, como por ejemplo...

• Cabaret Costa Azul: It is located on Avenida Primero de Mayo, in front of the bay.

• Parque Masó: Here we find all kind of animals and a beautiful grove with wonderful view to the bay.

• La Lisetera: Just in front of the pier you can enjoy a delicious fried liseta.

• Restaurant El Balcón: Located on Circunvalación Camilo Cienfuegos this place offers gastronomy, lodging and diversion when, at nights, a discotheque opens for dancing till dawn; rooms are like bungalows, independent one from the other with private bathroom, at a cost of 15 CUC a night.

• La Feria: On Saturdays (twice a month), along the Avenida Primero de Mayo, this fair displays a mixture of aromas, sounds and colors. They offer from fruits and beers to moving rhythms of some local musical groups.

• El carnaval: Carnivals are celebrated at the end of July or beginning of August starting with the infantile carnivals. During this season all children are on vacations and streets are crowded.

Excursions

Going out this city you may enjoy landscapes and excursions such as...

• El Ingenio La Demajagua: Its peace inspires us to recall past times…when the echo of certain bell called for liberty and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (Father of the Nation) freed his slaves to fight against the Spanish domain. One cannot miss a visit to this historic and beautiful site.

• Las Coloradas: This is a historic site where Yate Gramma disembarked and where a replica of it can be seen.

• Marea del Portillo: Though this place is intended for classic tourists (what we are not), there is a good view to enjoy from this beach, where height and depth combine to produce the greatest unevenness of the Caribbean; the very high Sierra Maestra becomes, this time, scenery of blue and crystalline Caribbean waters. Another interesting aspect is the flora that was carefully classified on a small hill where one can enjoy as well a short rest while viewing the infinite landscape from a mirador in the site.

• La Sierra Maestra: This site is a must among mountainous terrain that embraces places of historic importance such as La Comandancia del Ché en La Plata (better going with a guide); and some place for staying called Santo Domingo that has comfortable huts in the middle of the forest surrounded by the near river. One may also climb the Pico Turquino, the highest mountain of Cuba with its 2000 meters high. Many Cubans have reached the top with the reward of seeing the lights of Jamaica at sunset.

• Punta Piedra: It doesn´t look like such, yet it is a very singular tourist resort with a beach beside the road to Santiago de Cuba and some huts which can be enjoyed for only 15 CUC per night.

To all these places you may go in a taxi or asking for a ride. Otherwise, through a previous arrangement, one can take a truck in the bus station.

Manzanillo - arrival and departure

• Train. Every three days there is a train departure from Havana with stops in all important cities on the way; in addition there is an irregular train going from Santiago de Cuba to Manzanillo. This trip is very insecure since few hours before the departure nobody can say whether the train is on the way or if it is leaving today or tomorrow…

• Airplane. CUBANA offers at least two weekly flights from Havana.

• Trucks or colective taxis. It is certainly the safest way to go from Bayamo to Manzanillo.