Guardalavaca Beach
Guardalavaca refers to a place and a holiday area on the north coast of Cuba . It belongs to the municipality of Banes in the province of Holguín .
The Spanish name (literally: guard the cow ) has developed from the original place name Guardalabarca ( guard the boat ) and is due to the fact that the narrow, recessed bays that can be found in many places in the immediate vicinity unite for ships and their crews in the past offered effective protection from sea pirates . Guardalavaca has been massively expanded into a tourist destination since 1990. The main target group are diving tourists who want to explore the impressive coral reef . There are three beaches. The 700 m long beach to the west borders the Hotel Amigo Club Atlantico . The east adjoining 450 m long beach borders the Hotel Brisas Guardalavaca . Behind it, behind a small fishing port, begins an approximately 1 km long natural beach to a small village. This is followed by a rocky coast, the hinterland of which is characterized by a Cuban coastal forest.
The next larger cities are the coastal town of Gibara in the east and Banes in the south-east inland. The nearest international airport is about 60 km away in the city of Holguín .
tourism
The small tourist center of Playa Guardalavaca essentially consists of three hotel complexes and the city with its prefabricated buildings for the locals who work in the hotels.
Club Amigo Atlantico
The three-star Hotel Club Amigo Atlantico is located in the west of the village . This is the former Atlantico Hotel that was renovated after Hurricane Ike . The main building has four floors and its entrance area has remarkable carvings by the woodcarver Juan Carlos Manuel Alexeis . Four other two story buildings are built around a large pool area. The pool area of the main building is directly adjacent to the approx. 750 m long, fine sandy beach. This beach is also open to locals and is a popular bathing beach, especially on weekends and during the school holidays. Here you will also find the only beach bar that is open all night with dancing. You have to pay here in the currency currency Peso convertible (CUC). Immediately to the west of the hotel is the boulevard with shops and the craft market.
Hotel Guardalavaca
On the land side behind the bungalow area of Club Amigo Atlantico is the approx. 100 m long Hotel Guardalavaca, which is rather inconspicuous from the outside . In its atrium there is a swimming pool that cannot be seen from the outside. It is mainly reserved for the locals, but also has rooms for European demands. Next to it is the night bar in the hotel zone with a corresponding music program.
Hotel Brisas
The four-star Hotel Brisas was built by Canadian investors and is considered the best hotel in Guardalavaca. The hotel building with its five floors and the restaurant are facing the beach . The sandy beach can be reached directly from the pool area.
Hotel Brisas
Brisas Villas
Villas Club Amigo Atlantico
Hotel Club Amigo Atlantico
Hotel Playa de Pesquero in Guardalavaca
Cuban dance performance in the hotel theater
Sights in the area
- Chorro de Maita Indian cemetery
- Aquarium with dolphin show Parque Natural Bahía de Naranjo
- Landing site of Christopher Columbus on the Bahía de Bariay
Coordinates: 21 ° 7 ′ N , 75 ° 50 ′ W