Maria la Gorda is in Pinar del Rio province in western Cuba. It’s largely synonymous with the diving camp that’s located there.
Your complete settlement consists of a lodge, diving centre, small store, sandy seashore and a pair of eating places.
Nevertheless, even in case you are not a diver, it’s a good place to spend an evening.
When you stroll a couple of kilometers away from the camp, in the direction of the highest of the peninsula, you see fascinating panorama — mangrove swamp and the ocean are divided by wall of previous shells/corals. Some large (50 cm) empty shells there.
This complete peninsula was not too long ago run over by Hurricane Ivan (and subsequently Hurricane Wilma) and it’ll most likely take a while to revive its pure magnificence.
Diving is the primary exercise on provide. A variety of choices can be found, and snorkeling journeys exit with each dive (although on one journey there was little to be seen by snorkelers that could not be seen by snorkeling from the jetty). There’s additionally a volleyball pitch.
The lodge additionally advertises that it runs mountain climbing excursions, and different leisure, however vacationers report little proof of any of that.
When you have your individual transport it’s attainable to drive (with a paid information) to the western finish of mainland Cuba. You may even see some Iguanas. There’s a deep swimming gap with an underground connection to the ocean (and containing some tropical fish) on the Ecological station, the place the street meets the ocean on the best way in. Different journeys (together with hikes) are additionally accessible from the station. When you’re in Cuban birdlife there are a couple of bits and items to be seen. Bee Hummingbirds (the smallest chook in the world) are stated to be current on the peninsula and at Playa Larga. Royal Terns loaf on the piles close to the resort entrance and there are some Yellow-headed Warblers and Black-throated Inexperienced Warblers round a dump not removed from the resort – observe a observe into the scrubby woodland subsequent to a roadside pool on the inland facet of the street half a mile or so from the resort entrance. In spring giant black, yellow and pink land crabs swarm in their tons of throughout the roads (particularly after rain) and the inevitable casualties appeal to scavenging flocks of Turkey Vultures. Fairly a sight.
Getting there:
There aren’t any public buses to this a part of Cuba. You may nonetheless e-book transfers simply by means of tour companies.
From Vinales for instance a switch bus leaves every day at 8:00am and returns at 5:00pm – journey time 3hrs value 15CUC per particular person. Bear in thoughts that Maria la Gorda is a great distance from anyplace.
Lodge Maria la Gorda, CUC 66 for a room with 2 beds (sizzling water, TV, wealthy breakfast). That is the one lodge in whole space down from Guane. They’ve a posh of wood cabins linked by walkways which had been comfy and nice.
If anybody is aware of if there are Casa Particulares, please add them as a remark or write an personal tip. Thanks!
The dinner buffet isn’t any good and at 15CUC per particular person could be very unhealthy worth. There’s additionally a small a la carte restaurant which is marginally higher. When reserving the lodge do not take the dinner possibility – you’ll be able to resolve whenever you get there if you wish to danger the buffet! (In March 2006 the meals was discovered to be OK, although the restaurant was higher than the buffet. Each had been no higher or worse than a lot of the meals in varied components of Cuba.)