CubaPLUS Magazine

Traveling through Cuba offers many charms, especially when considering places ideal for sun and beach vacations, adventure, and nature travel. Among these attractions, the island’s geographic extremes fit perfectly, true surprises for the senses.

To better experience this Caribbean nation, it is worth visiting the outermost landscapes of the island’s territory, which, because of its shape and the lush green of its vegetation, is often compared to a green crocodile.

The extreme points of Cuba’s geography are the following: to the north, the Hicacos Peninsula; to the south, Cabo Cruz; to the east, Punta de Maisí; and to the west, Cabo de San Antonio.

North
The northernmost point of the island of Cuba is located at Punta de Hicacos, on the peninsula of the same name in the western province of Matanzas. This area forms part of a protected Natural Park with a wide range of attractions.

In this region lies the famous resort of Varadero, one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. It offers about twenty kilometers of crystal clear waters and fine white sands.

Among other notable sites is the Varahicacos Ecological Reserve, a pristine natural area that exists in harmony with tourist development. It preserves vestiges of the original vegetation of western Cuba and is home to numerous bird species, many of them endemic, along with other interesting wildlife and caves containing archaeological remains and cave paintings.

Diving and other nautical activities, hiking, and birdwatching are among the options available at Punta de Hicacos, which also offers comfortable accommodations, restaurants, and a variety of recreational venues.

South
Punta El Inglés is the southernmost point of the island, located in the area of Cabo Cruz in the eastern province of Granma. This landscape features an impressive system of marine terraces, both emerged and submerged, reaching heights of up to 360 meters above sea level with drops of as much as 100 meters.

Its marine depths include an extensive coral barrier about 1,500 meters long, making Cabo Cruz an excellent location for contemplative diving and underwater photography.

A historic lighthouse 32 meters high, inaugurated in 1871 and today recognized as a National Monument, rises in the area as a magnificent viewpoint that can be visited along with the lighthouse keeper’s house.

Near the terraces is the El Guafe archaeological trail, which preserves traces of the life and customs of pre-Columbian indigenous peoples. These remains are among the most significant preserved in the country and are accompanied by a rich biodiversity.

East
The easternmost point of the Cuban archipelago is Punta de Maisí in the province of Guantánamo, the most eastern province of the country. From this region, the adelantado Diego Velázquez launched the Spanish colonization of the island in 1510. Long before that, successive waves of indigenous groups had already begun arriving along these shores, especially the Taíno agro-pottery communities, whose presence remains visible today in cave systems with ceremonial sites and petroglyphs.

The marine terraces of the Maisí Plateau, also known as the “Giant Steps,” are remarkable sights. Some rise to heights of 460 meters above sea level, while cliffs can reach up to 70 meters. Certain formations descend to depths of 180 meters, and the shallower ones can be observed at Pozo Azul, where visitors can enjoy a relaxing swim.

A diverse range of flora and fauna, deeply rooted customs and traditions, and a distinctive cuisine can also be enjoyed in this region of Cuba. The lighthouse known as La Concha stands here as well, from where, on clear days, Haiti can be seen in the distance.

West
Cabo de San Antonio, the westernmost point of this Caribbean nation in the province of Pinar del Río, forms part of one of Cuba’s natural treasures: the Guanahacabibes Peninsula Biosphere Reserve. The area features impressive landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, beaches, marine environments, and caves.

The sea plays a central role at Cabo de San Antonio, offering many opportunities for nautical activities. Las Tumbas Beach, four kilometers long, is considered the most beautiful on the entire peninsula. Nearby is a marina that provides diving equipment, specialized boats, excursions, and fishing opportunities. Visitors can also reach the nearby international diving center María la Gorda.

Well preserved coral reefs, including the largest colony of black coral in Cuban waters, a variety of marine life, and the remains of historic shipwrecks are among the attractions of Cabo de San Antonio. The emblematic Roncali Lighthouse also stands here, serving since 1850 as a guide for safe navigation through the Yucatán Channel and the Caribbean Sea.

Visiting these four geographic extremes of Cuba can become a truly enriching journey. With accessible routes and the development of recreational tourism, travelers are able to experience both the natural environment and the human landscapes that surround it.