Things to do in Isla De La Juventud
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Sierra de Las Casas
It's possible to climb the Sierra de Las Casas from the west end of Calle 22. A few hundred meters along a dirt track, you will see a trail on the left toward the hills. At the very foot of the hill is a deep cave with a concrete stairway leading down to the local swimming hole. The trail beyond this is fairly obvious, but mark your way mentally so you can return without a worry. A stone on the mountaintop is inscribed 'pilot's seat', and from here you can see most of the north of the island.
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Planetario y Museo de Historia Natural
Astronomers and botanists needn’t get too excited about the Planetario y Museo de Historia Natural. This two-in-one museum/planetarium showcases the natural history, geology and archaeology of the island. There’s a replica of the Cueva Punta del Este cave paintings here if you can’t make it out there and an often out-of-order telescope. Ask a guard and you might get lucky.
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Museo Finca el Abra
This museum is 3km southwest of Nueva Gerona, off the road to La Demajagua (the continuation of Calle 41). Coming from Motel El Rancho El Tesoro, go southwest a few hundred meters on a dirt road to another highway. Turn right and cross a bridge over the Río Las Casas. At the next junction, turn right again and you’ll soon come to a sign indicating the access road to Finca El Abra.
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Museo de la Lucha Clandestina
As fascinating as a dusty Beatles bootleg, the Museo de la Lucha Clandestina is stuffed with rarely seen artifacts of the revolutionary struggle against Batista. There are reams of letters written by the imprisoned Castro and others, timeworn M-26-7 regalia, and some revealing prison photos of the young Fidel and his band of merry Moncadistas hanging out in the Presidio Modelo, c 1954.
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El Pinero
On Calle 28, you’ll see a huge ferry painted black and white and set up as a memorial next to the river. This is El Pinero, the original boat used to ferry passengers between La Isla and the main island from the 1920s until 1974. On May 15, 1955, Castro and the other prisoners released from Moncada returned to the main island on El Pinero.
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Nuestra Señora de los Dolores
On the northwest side of Parque Central is the church of Nuestra Señorade los Dolores. This Mexican colonial- style church was built in 1926, after the original was destroyed by a hurricane. In 1957 the parish priest, Guillermo Sardiñas, left Nueva Gerona to join Fidel Castro in the Sierra Maestra, the only Cuban priest to do so.
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Estadio Cristóbal Labra
Nueva Gerona’s baseball stadium, Estadio Cristóbal Labra is six blocks west of the Policlínico Provincial de Emergencia. From October to April, the local team usually plays here daily except Monday and Friday, though not every week. Ask at your local casa particular for details of upcoming games.
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Restaurante El Dragón
Specializes in Chinese food, but there’s little selection and it’s not recommended for vegetarians. There’s sometimes live music after 8pm and there’s always a big gong to beat if the inspiration hits.
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Casa de la Cultura
Ask about the famous local sucu-sucu (a variation of son, Cuba’s popular music) group led by Mongo Rives, which sometimes plays at the Casa de la Cultura in La Fe.
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Museo Municipal
The Museo Municipal is in the former Casa de Gobierno (1853). It houses a small historical collection with assorted pirate tidbits mixed in with the usual bones and birds.
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La Fe
Ask about the famous local sucu-sucu (a variation of son, Cuba's popular music) group led by Mongo Rives, which sometimes plays at the Casa de la Cultura in La Fe.
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Casa de los Vinos
A nice local drinking hole with ‘ahoy matey!’ nautical decor. Aside from ham sandwiches, you can get wine made from grapefruit, grapes and melon by the glass.
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Pizzería La Góndola
Offering a break from the pork-chicken- congrí (rice flecked with beans) cycle, the pizza here is on par with other Cuban pizza places.
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Disco La Movida
For a little atmospheric booty shaking, join the throngs of locals dancing in an open-air locale hidden among the trees near the river.
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Cafetería La Cocinita
This is a good place for peso sandwiches and juice or more substantial meals in the nicer sit-down section in the back.
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Coppelia
Just to remind you you’re still in Cuba, there’s a Coppelia. Head here to satisfy all ice-cream cravings.
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Calle 39 Pedestrian Mall
Calle 39 Pedestrian Mall, also known as Calle Martí, is a pleasant pedestrian mall interspersed with small parks.
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Restaurante La Vajilla
For cheap comida criolla (Creole food) try this large hangar-like building that becomes a disco at night.
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Cabaret El Patio
This venue has an entertaining floorshow at 11pm. Show up early to get in; official policy is couples only.
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Super Disco
You’ve got to love a place with a name like this. The locals do: this club is always packed.
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El Cochinito
Get your pork steaks, yucca, rice and beans here and eat alfresco out the back.
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Centro Experimental de Artes Aplicadas
This center, near the planetarium, makes and sells artistic ceramics.
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