Desembarco del Granma National Park, Granma. Cuba

• ( 5 reviews)
• Granma. Cuba
• Daily
• Destination: Granma

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the Desembarco del Granma National Park became the first place in Cuba that UNESCO declared to be a part of world natural heritage. Its geographical features make it one of the most notable places in the Cuban archipelago and one of world importance. Located in the westernmost part of the Sierra Maestra Mountains, it covers an area of around 25,000 hectares, with beautiful cliffs and tall vertical escarpments that are very well preserved. It contains the second largest and best preserved system of marine terraces (both submerged and above water) in the world. The above-water terraces reach a height of 1181 feet (360 meters) above sea level, with differences in height between adjoining terraces of as much as 324 feet (100 meters). Twenty levels have emerged from the depths of the Caribbean Sea.

The submerged part of this terrace system is outstanding for its diversity and excellent state of conservation. The great depth of the sea near the coast creates currents of very clean water that allow for considerable development of marine life.  The most outstanding aspect of the park is the great development of its geographic features. The cliffs of the terraces are of great interest, because, in addition to their beauty, they are important refuges for native flora and fauna. Here, you can find vertical caves which contain pictographs and other traces of former Indian occupation.

The most important plant formations are the ones growing on the terraces, which, together with the coastal xeromorphic thickets, contain the greatest number of interesting species. Much of the original vegetation has been preserved, and more than 600 species of plants have been identified. The most important species of fauna—because they are endemic or endangered—are the Ligus vitattus, a species of land mollusk, and the Cuban night lizard (Crycosaura tipica). Both of these species are locally endemic to the park.

The caves contain abundant evidence that Indians used to live in this area: bits of pottery, stone carvings and pictographs, which show the level attained by those communities. Samuel’s and Fustete Caves, in particular, are places of myth and legend related to the aboriginal cultures and to our times. In addition, this area was the scene of important events in Cuba’s history. The cabin cruiser Granma landed on its western coast in 1956, bringing Fidel Castro and 81 other expeditionaries from Mexico to begin the Revolutionary War in the Sierra Maestra Mountains—the action for which this national park is named.

Desembarco del Granma National Park Map

Desembarco del Granma National Park is located in Granma

The territory limits to the north with the provinces of Las Tunas and Holguín; to the west with the Gulf of Guacanayabo; to the south with the Caribbean Sea, and to the east with Santiago de Cuba. It has more than 760 000 inhabitants in its 8 470 , Km2 of territorial extension.

There are two airports: Sierra Maestra, located in Manzanillo for international operations, and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, in Bayamo, for domestic flights. By road, the Central Highway links Granma with the other cities of the country. The Sierra Maestra majestic mountains, main mountainous group of Cuba, the intense blue colour of the Caribbean Sea and the fertile plains bathed by rivers coming from the high mountains present Granma as presenting a wide range of contrasts. "Desembarco del Granma" National Park is within the limits of this province, declared by UNESCO, as World Natural Site.

The province is known as the Birthplace of Cuban Nationality and preserves a rich historical and cultural heritage. It was in this city where the National Anthem of Cuba was sung for the first time. In this region is indispensable to visit Desembarco del Granma National Park, with its very interesting natural phenomena and areas of exceptional beauty. There are also other places to be visited, such as La Demajagua Park, where on October 10th, 1868, the Cuban struggles for independence began; Manzanillo, a coastal city wrapped in an atmosphere of pirates and corsairs' legends, and Bayamo, provincial capital and National Monument.

A stay at Marea del Portillo hotel, with a beach that draws attention for the dark colour of its sand, is ideal to discover the charms of Cayo Blanco, a place of suggestive sea bottoms; to enter the impressive system of marine terraces or to come closer to the natural and archaeological reservation El Guafe. Excursions to its mountainous system are one of the biggest attractiveness, for the visitor has the possibility to go into one of the more preserved, intimate, and better places of Cuban nature.

 

 

 

Review about Areas of Natural Interest: Desembarco del Granma National Park