Matanzas	Thanks a lot to Petra Barth for the translation!
	Casa Particular / B&B Armando Machado Vega (Villa Soñada) Santa Teresa (Calle 290) #6701 esquina Santa Isabel Matanzas Phone +53 (45) 24 27 61 Mobile +53 52 90 21 68 Price: 25 - 35 CUC Description: Armando rents four independent apartments. Apartment #1 upstairs has a room with two beds and air conditioning; downstairs there are a table, a refrigerator and a wide bathroom with bathtub (hot and cold water). This apartment, not so big, is very clean; all facilities are advanced and you will feel the good taste of the host. The second apartment has a broad room with a double and a single bed and two rocking chairs. The spacious bathroom has a shower with hot and cold water and a hairdryer - maybe the only one at a Casa Particular in Cuba. The apartment has as you can imagine a ventilator and air-conditioning. Everything is very new and all the material is really high quality. For exemple the wood for the beds - Mandy constructed with only the best. The same the apartment #3. There's a double bed downstairs and two single beds upstairs, all of them made with Cuban high quality wood. Aircondition, refrigerator, a huge, modern bath, you wan't miss anything, I'm sure... And the new aparment #4 ist really comfortable. Also with a double and a single bed, air condition, fridge and a spacious bath room which is even designed for physically handicaped persons. Later on you may enjoy a wide terrace decorated with several plants; here you may have breakfast, lunch and supper, if weather allows. When talking of meals let me tell you that I have never enjoyed such a good cuisine in any other part of Cuba, as I have in Armando´s. Quality, taste and creativity when preparing and decorating dishes are unique here. If you stay in La Villa Soñada without tasting a meal in the terrace, then you have lost something important. If it's hot at the roof may you choose the new inner-courtyard - also a nice place to be. Guests may also share the big living room of this colonial house. You will surely have a pleasant stay in this house, because Armando has an eye for perfection to the last details such as: beautiful decoration, very tasty meals, background traditional music, and a mojito at the terrace or a coffee at the living room of the colonial house. I would even advise staying in Matanzas with the only purpose of enjoying the special atmosphere of this house. I am not the only one thinking this way; read opinions in TripAdvisor and you will see. Have a look at Mandy's Video about his house. Reservation: by phone or also by e-Mail (Spanish, English, German)   Cubataxi Tel.: 24 43 50 Useful phone numbers : Bus Astro and Viazul Tel.: 29 14 73 Railwaystation FC Tel.: 29 24 09 Railwaystation Hershey Tel.: 24 48 05

Matanzas is called little Venice in Cuba. Although there are no Gondolieri and the streets are bituminized, three rivers flowing into the sea make for much water and many bridges… The inhabitants of Matanzas love comparison – e.g. they proudly name Matanzas also Athens of Cuba – this is based on Matanzas ‘ wide spread cultural activities. Additionally, the gods aren't far away either due to the afrocuban religion Santería…
But apart from those comparisons, Matanzas is certainly a good place to start the adventure of Cuba . You can get there easily with one of the numerous airlines flying to Varadero. From the airport of Varadero you can visit the famous beaches (at about 30 km distance) as well as less touristic highlights. Also Havanna is not far from Matanzas.

In the city

• Besides a lengthy stroll across the big town I recommend to sit down in one of the parks and to get involved with the Cuban day to day life.

• Although the beach of Matanzas is not comparable to Varadero, there are some inviting sections of the bay, even though the busy street in the back bothers. In short, the beach is okay for swimming, for a longer stay it is worth to go to Varadero.

• In the afternoon and above all in the evening you should investigate whether the cultural life of Matanzas deserves the comparison with Athens . It is mandatory to check the excellent theatre or the UNEAC, a local association of artists, for this purpose.

Excursions

• Varadero The probably best known resort and longest beach of Cuba are at only 30 km from Matanzas . 24 km of white sand, cristal clear water and further highlights such as caves attract you. By a visit of Varadero you get to know Cuba as most tourists know it: beach, sea, and hotels.

• The Yumurí valley Life passes smoother in this wonderful valley, only 3 km from Matanzas and Varadero. The beautiful landscape invites you to do some hiking, biking or riding without forgetting to get in touch with the very friendly population. You reach this oasis best by bicycle, on foot or by taxi. Furthermore you can combine a train ride (one station with the Hershey line) with hiking back to Matanzas

• Río Canímar - La Arboleda. Around 15km outside of Matanzas by the river Rio Canimar something nice will surprise you - you never would expect it - a little oasis named La Arboleda. The nature park is situated directly by the river, where you can have a swim. Little boats and canoes can be rented to enjoy the surrounding on the river. Lots of activities are offered - horse riding, playing dart and billiard or just relaxing in a hammock under the mango trees. In different restaurants nice dishes will be served. If you cross the river on a .... you can expect a special culinary experience. This is the perfect place to enjoy a couple of peacefull hours. The entry fee costs 1 CUC per person and the taxi drive 15 CUC both ways.
  
  
• Matanzas BusTour. This is a (tourist)bus with a regular timetable, which can be used to visit the most famous places between Varadero and Matanzas. A day pass costs 10 CUC and is a cheap alternative to the quite expensive taxis or the public buses, which does not pass the most sightseeings. Please refer to the leaflet!

Matanzas - arrival and departure

• Viazul. The “tourist bus company” offers connections in time between Matanzas and Varadero, Havanna, Trinidad, and Santiago de Cuba . Please refer to the current timetable!

• Railway. Matanzas lies on the main route Havanna - Santiago de Cuba. Practically all trains from Oriente (Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba, Bayamo) and the stations in between (Camaguey, Santa Clara, etc.) aiming to Havanna also stop in Matanzas, therefore the connection both to Havanna and the east is very good.
  If you go to/from Havanna the best choice for this passage through a wonderful landscape is the only electric railroad line of Cuba, the "Hershey" train. It operates between Havanna and Matanzas about four times a day and the trip only is 3 CUC. For further information please refer to the page Cubaentren and especially the route Habana - Matanzas.

• Plane. Numerous charter airlines fly to Varadero airport (Matanzas). For national flights however the starting point is Havanna – inland flights to/from Matanzas are only available together with tourist trips from Varadero.