|
Starting a life in a foreign country presents
challenges for many people. For the first
time they may be confronted with having
a plethora of leisure time and the problem
of what to do with it. As you will see throughout
this chapter, Cuba is a wonderful place
to live. In addition there are many interesting
activities from which to choose. In Cuba
you have no excuse for being bored or inactive,
unless you are just plain lazy. There is
some hobby or pastime for everyone regardless
of age or interest. Even if you can't pursue
your favorite hobbies, you can get involved
in something new and exciting.
Best of all, by participating in some of
the activities in this chapter, you will
meet other people with common interests
and cultivate new friendships in the process.
Initially, most people you meet will also
probably be expatriates, so you probably
won't need much Spanish to enjoy yourself.
Whatever you do, don't make the mistake
of being idle. Use your time constructively
and get out and enjoy all Cuba has to offer.
Cuba's Pristine Beaches
"He always thought of
the sea as 'la mar' which is what people
called her in Spanish when they love her.
Sometimes those who love her say bad things
of her, but they are always said as though
she were a woman." - Ernest Hemingway,
The Old Man and the Sea
Cuba is a beach lovers' paradise. There
are about three hundred unspoiled beaches
scattered along Cuba's many miles of irregular
coastline. Most of these beaches are undeveloped
and considered among the best in the Caribbean,
have white sand and are bounded by crystal-clear
ocean water. The temperature of the water
ranges between 75 and 80 degrees depending
on the location of the beach. The Atlantic
waters tend to be a few degrees cooler than
the Caribbean.
A third of Cuba's beaches are readily accessible
and fifty have hotels and other facilities
for tourists. As you know from reading the
last chapter, Varadero on the north
coast is the most famous of all Cuban beaches.
Guardavaca is another popular beach
on the Atlantic side of the island. Santa
Lucia in Camagüey Province is considered
a diver's paradise. Playas del Este
near Havana are the beaches frequented by
the majority of Havana's residents, or havaneros,
on weekends and holidays.
There are also spectacular beaches along
the Caribbean coast. Most areas have facilities
for sailing, fishing trips, jet skiing,
surfing, catamarans, body surfing, windsurfing,
parasailing and every imaginable water sport
for the adventurous traveler. Near the city
of Santiago de Cuba many excellent
beaches can be found. You can stay in Santiago
and visit the beaches in this area.
Cuba's abundance of coral reefs and cays,
variety of colorful marine fauna, over 900
species of fish and crystal clear water
make it the perfect place for diving buffs.
Cuba is surrounded by one of the world's
largest coral reefs. Diving is fantastic
and Cuba's number one water sport. The island
has over 30 dive sites from which to choose.
You don't have to go far from Havana to
find diving sites since Jicoba and
the surrounding beaches have diving locations.
Cuba is one of the few places where you
can actually explore offshore shipwrecks.
There are over 1,000 sunken shipwrecks scattered
around Cuba's waters. There are sunken Spanish
galleons and 50 diving sites including caves
found off the coast of the Island of
the Youth or La Isla de la Juventud.
Other areas include Playa Santa Lucía,
Guardavaca, Cayo Coco, Playa
Ancón, Varadero and Playa
Girón to name a few. Most resorts rent
equipment, have diving shops and, if you
are a novice, you may even take diving lessons.
Cuba has certified diving instructors. Check
out the diving shop at the Hemingway
Marina Tel: (21) 5277. Near Playas del
Este be sure to visit the Marina Puertosol
scuba center. There is a complete description
of Cuba's dive sites at: www.cubatravel.com
The waters around Cuba are also perfect
for yachting. There are marinas or fondeaderos
and other facilities in Havana, Varadero
and the Island of the Youth. Yachting excursions
are also available. Those bringing yachts
or other vessels from the U.S. and other
countries should check with Cuban customs
to find how long a boat may be kept in the
country and the paper work involved.
One would need volumes to describe all
of Cuba's beaches in detail, so we have
provided a map in this guide for your convenience.
It doesn't show every beach on the island-only
those which can be reached easily.
|
