Activities in Matanzas
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Laguna de Maya
The Laguna de Maya is a Flora and Fauna Reserve where professional Ecotur guides can rent you snorkeling gear and guide you out to the reef for a bargain CUC$5. There are a reported 300 species of fish here and visibility is a decent 15m to 20m. The Laguna de Maya also incorporates a snack bar, a ranchón-style restaurant overlooking a small lake with boat rental and opportunities for horseback riding. A package including all the activities is offered for CUC$25. You can hike 2.5km to the Cueva Saturno from here.
reviewed
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Cueva Saturno
Cueva Saturno is promoted as a snorkeling spot and Varadero companies include it on many tours, but don’t believe the hype: it’s really just a ho-hum cave with limited access, unless you’re an experienced cave diver with all the relevant equipment. Beware the odd hustler or three and the screaming crowds clamoring to get into the water. There’s a snack bar here that sells good coffee.
reviewed
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Playa Coral
The old coastal road to Varadero is great on a moped, providing better scenery and a mellower pace than the Autopista. There are some OK swimming spots en route and Playa Coral has 2km of offshore reef with the best snorkeling in the area. The airport access road is just beyond Playa Coral at the small crossroads town of Carbonera (a fresh fish lunch can be arranged here; ask around).
reviewed
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Río Canímar Boat Trips
Boat trips 12km up the jungle-clad Río Canímar depart from Bar Cubamar, below the bridge on the inland side. Varadero tour companies offer this excursion with lunch, horseback riding, fishing and snorkeling, but you can work out a similar deal for approximately around 25 by showing up at the landing before noon. Rowboats are for rent (around 2 per hour) at the bar any time.
reviewed
