Out of the 14 provinces the island is divided into, Matanzas is probably the one with the highest number and the greater density of tourism attractions, among which, the beach resort of Varadero is the most well known and demanded in the international market. More than a century ago, on December 5 of 1887, the City Hall of Cardenas approved the first urbanization project for this beach area, located in the most septentrional spot of the country and stretched for 22 kilometers along the north coast of the peninsula of Hicacos, a piece of land that had been exploited for more than 300 years only because of the existence there of productive salt mines and dense forests. That is why, it wasn't until late 1920's that, in the hands of multimillionaire Irenee Du Pont, Varadero started to earn a place in the north American market and, after the 1930's, in the vacation itineraries of the Cuban high classes.

The city of Matanzas (founded in 1693), land of poets also known for its many bridges that enrich the urban area, is also known as the Athens, and the Venice of Cuba. Right there, next to a wonderful bay, a popular Cuban rhythm was also born: Danzon.

The caves of Bellamar, with almost 2 kilometers of spaces; the ruins of the Triunvirato sugar mill; and the fascinating Canimar River, of navigatable and quiet waters whose limits are marked by an exuberant vegetation, compliment the charms of the city of Matanzas, close to which on the way to the city of Havana the vast YumuriValley will make a stop and enjoy the privileged Bacunayagua lookout.

In this very area, in the midst of the quietness of the valley, Matanzas offers to its visitors the opportunity of receiving specialized anti-stress, beauty and weight loss treatments, as well as other programs conceived to improve the quality of life under exceptional conditions.

Also 40 kilometers away from Varadero, the town of San Miguel de los Banos gathers natural conditions to attract visitors interested in enjoying the kindness of its mineral-medicinal waters. Decades ago, there was here a beach resort and a building known as Gran Hotel considered by specialists a replica of the Great Casino of Montecarlo.

On the south side of the territory, the Great Natural Park of Montemar, located in the Ciegana de Zapata Reserve of the Biosphere, is particularly attractive for those who prefer to enjoy the multiple specialties of nature tourism; though there are here many spaces of interest for those who rather go open sea diving or speleodiving in sunken caves.

A strategy designed for the preservation and care of its environment during almost four decades, together with scarce presence of population settlements have allowed this ecosystem to stay almost untouched. It is also considered the largest reserve of humid soil in the Caribbean, with outstanding places like the Salt Mines of Brito (ecosystem of coastal salt marshes), La Boca (the largest crocodile farm in Latin America) and the shelters of international fauna La Salina and Santo Tomas, which was classified as the most endemic area in the planet.