Granma, Cuba
Tourism Information
The eastern province of Granma, located in the
southeastern region of the county, is an important center
for tourism because it offers rich natural surroundings
featuring a combination of sea and mountains. Also
remarkable is its historical tradition.
Proud Bayamo, the most important city in the area, can trace
its roots back to the 16th century. One of Cuba's first
settlements, Bayamo was burned down by its inhabitants in
1869 to prevent it from being taken by Spanish troops. A
Bayamo citizen penned Cuba's national anthem, and the city
was a hotbed of nationalist culture.
Almost a century later, in December 1956, the Granma
expedition landed on Las Coloradas Beach. This was the
beginning of the last stage of the struggle that concluded
with the triumph of the revolution in 1959.
The mountains of Granma, where both traditions and nature
combine, have been the backdrop for much of the Cuban
history. Unforgettable places can be seen there, such as La
Demajagua National Park where the ruins of a venerable sugar
mill are located. This mill was owned by Carlos Manuel de
Céspedes, the Father of the Homeland.
The province is also characterized by the huge plain of the
Cauto River—the longest in Cuba—and the Sierra Maestra
mountain range, featuring Pico Turquino, the highest
mountain in the country rising 1,974 kilometers above sea
level.
In this green territory, the warm climate of the low-lying
areas contrasts sharply with the cool temperatures of the
mountains. The vegetation is luxuriant and there are all
sorts of springs. Marea del Portillo, a beach composed of
dark sand, really stands out in this world of many extremes.
Roast pork is the traditional local dish. Also to be
savoured is delicious fried white mullet, a typical fish
from Manzanillo, the legendary land of pirates and corsairs
referred to in Cuba's first literary monument: The Mirror of
Patience.
At the southeastern end of the territory is the Cabo Cruz
Lighthouse and an area called El Guafe, a major tourist
attraction characterized by the presence of aboriginal
vestiges and interesting archaeological sites.