Activities in Eastern Cuba
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A
Cubatur
Baracoa’s rite of passage is the 8km (up and down) hike to El Yunque. At 575m it’s not Kilimanjaro, but the views from the summit and the flora and birdlife along the way are stupendous. Cubatur offers this tour almost daily (CUC$18 per person, minimum two people). The fee covers admission, guide, transport and a sandwich. The hike is hot (bring sufficient water) and usually muddy. It starts from a campismo 3km past the Finca Duaba (4km from the Baracoa–Moa road). Bank on seeing tocororo (Cuba’s national bird), zunzún (the world’s smallest bird), butterflies and polymitas.
reviewed
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Ateneo
Spanish courses, dancing classes and various other specialist activities can be organized at Ateneo, a cultural organization set up in the late 19th century by lawyer Antonio Bravo Correoso. Bank on CUC$5 for two-hour lessons on salsa dancing, percussion or guitar/ tres (a guitar with seven strings and an integral part of son of Carlos Bourbon of Ballet Folklórico Cutumba fame. There are 11 or so teac).
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B
Casa del Caribe
The Casa del Caribe organizes dance lessons in conga, son and salsa; it’s CUC$10 for two hours or CUC$5 for one. Resident staff member Juan Eduardo Castillo can also organize lessons in percussion. Real aficionados can inquire about in-depth courses on Afro-Cuban religions and culture. These guys are experts and they’re very flexible.
reviewed
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C
Conjunto Folklórico de Oriente
Ask about practice sessions at the studios of the Conjunto Folklórico de Oriente and the Foco Cultural Tumba Francesa at General Banderas. Traditional dancing also takes place at other focos culturales (cultural shows) around town most evenings.
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UniversiTUR
UniversiTUR arranges Spanish courses. Monthly rates for 60-hour courses (three hours a day, five days a week) start at CUC$250.
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D
Gimnasio Cultura Física
No manicures here! For a wicked workout drop into this gym with its well-pummeled punching bags, rusty old weights and cold showers.
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E
Cubatur
Cubatur sells all number of excursions, for everything from La Gran Piedra to El Cobre.
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