Cuba is one of the most popular countries in the world for creating one of the best booze: rum. This alcoholic drink is made from sugar cane molasses, and sugar cane just happened to be an important agricultural product in this North American country. Three of the most famous cocktails were concocted in Cuba using its rum: Cuba Libre, daiquiri, and mojito. Cuba Libre is known in other parts of the globe as rum and coke. But it is a signature drink in the nation, as it was what Cubans celebrated with when they won their independence during the Cuban War of Independence (1895-1898).
Tourism in Cuba is unique. There was a time when Cubans are not allowed to interact with tourists, which was why enclave resorts were implemented from 1992 to 1997 to isolate foreigners from locals. Since the policy had been modified, tourism had increased. There are still strict tourism rules in the nation, though. Cuba has since tripled its market share of tourism in the Caribbean since the 2000s. The country has a land area of 109,884 square kilometers (27 million acres), with a large chunk of it occupied by amazing beaches.
Music is also a big part of Cuba. Native music has a hint of Spanish and African influences. Cuban music also inspired the beats behind some of the most popular dances, which originated from the country: cha-cha-cha, mambo, and salsa. Gloria Estefan and Camila Cabello are the most popular Cuban artists who gained international fame.
Other national treasures in the country are just as beautiful as Cuban music, Cuban cuisine, and Cuban cigars: the national parks. Here are the top five unexplored national parks in Cebu that tourists should explore:
1. Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
Cuba may be famed for its beaches but its forests are not to be trifled with. The park is famed for its lush vegetation that fosters many endemic species of plants. The mountains within the park also host several rivers considered to be the largest in the insular Caribbean. The park is located in the provinces of Guantanamo and Holguin. It was bestowed by the UNESCO World Heritage site label in 2001 because of the various natural characters within the park, which includes a mountain range, rocky terrain, various landforms, and river systems. All these also provide different habitats for a thriving fauna.
There are various species of parrots and hummingbirds within the park. There is also a wide variety of hutias, lizards, and snails. The park is also home to the native Cuban solenodon, which had been previously declared as extinct. Some individuals were later found in the park and the status has since been elevated to “endangered.” This animal-related to a shrew is also considered a rare mammal because its saliva is venomous.
The park also hosts 28 endemic flora species including Dracaena cubensis and Podocarpus Ekman.
2. Caguanes National Park
This park comprises the Caguanes Peninsula, which includes 10 small cays that traverse the Bay of Buena Vista. The cays also extend to Guayaberas swamps and mangroves. Caguanes is located in Sancti Spiritus Province. The park is a tourist haven with its many beaches. Cuban beaches are clear and pristine and the sand hues range from white to honey-colored, and even some black sands.
Caguanes also has some 79 caves that offer exciting activities for visitors. Not only that, but they also provide archeological significance with several murals and other historical evidence of human settlement.
The most popular animal residents are the birds with over 200 species of them documented in the park. Of this number, 24 species are endemic. Around 112 species thrive in aquatic resources like the waters surrounding the cays, the wetlands, and mangroves. The most popular water birds are flamingos, pelicans, and spoonbills.
3. Desembarco del Granma National Park
Not only is this park refreshing with its natural resources, but it is also historically important. It is located in Granma Province, which explains the name. The full name translates to “Landing of the Granma” referring to the arrival of the late president Fidel Castro, Che Guevarra, and Raul Castro in the area in 1956. The leaders and 79 of their supporters were the yacht called Granma, which sailed from Mexico to Cuba. Their arrival prompted the Cuban Revolution, which was a success and heralded Castro as Cuba’s leader for decades.
In terms of natural beauty, the park was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of the coastal terrace in the area. There is also a beautiful waterfall in the park.
4. Sierra Cristal National Park
This park was established as early as 1930, the first national park created in the country. It is located in Holguin Province. It is named after the Cristal Mountains, the second-highest mountains in Cuba. Cristal Peak is also the highest peak among the mountains in the Sierra Cristal. It reaches a height of 1,300 meters.
The mountains are mostly covered in pine forests. The Cuban pine dominates the tree population. The tree can reach a height of 30 meters. The endangered Cuban solenodon also lives in the park, although they are very rare to catch a glimpse of.
5. Turquino National Park
Also known as Sierra Maestra National Park, this protected Cuban region is located in Santiago de Cuba Province. The park is located within the Sierra Maestra mountain range. This is the highest part of Cuba and is known to be rich in minerals like chromium, copper, manganese, and iron. But the park’s official name is from the highest peak in Cuba, the Pico Turquino, which is part of Sierra Maestra. Pico Turquino stands at 1,974 meters. The other mountains within the park are Pico Cuba, Pico Real, and Pico Suecia.
Tropical forests blanket almost the entire park. The lower elevation mostly has Cuban pine forests. The park is also home to the beach called Marea del Portillo. The park gives two distinct ecosystems. This makes is a great place to do some hiking where one may start in one region of the park and ends up at the other one.