El Pinero

Isla de la Juventud


Two blocks east of Parque Guerrillero Heroico, you'll see a huge black-and-white ferry set up as a tatty memorial next to the river. This is El Pinero, the original boat used to transport passengers between La Isla and the main island. On May 15, 1955, Fidel and Raúl Castro, along with the other prisoners released from Moncada, returned to the main island on this vessel.

These days it's a meeting point for young reggaeton fanatics (read: very loud music) and the odd political rally.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Isla de la Juventud attractions

1. Museo Municipal

0.19 MILES

In the former Casa de Gobierno (1853), the Museo Municipal houses a small historical collection that romps through the best of the island's past. It…

2. Nuestra Señora de los Dolores

0.21 MILES

On the northwest side of Parque Guerrillero Heroico, this dinky, Mexican colonial-style church was built in 1929, after the original was destroyed by a…

3. Museo Casa Natal Jesús Montané

0.42 MILES

This museum documents the life of revolutionary Jesús Montané, who was born here, took part in the Moncada Barracks attack in 1953, fought alongside Fidel…

4. Museo Finca el Abra

1.57 MILES

On October 17, 1870, the teenage José Martí spent nine weeks of exile at this farm-prison before his deportation to Spain. Legend has it that the…

5. Presidio Modelo

2.28 MILES

Welcome to the island's most impressive yet depressing sight. Located near Reparto Chacón, 5km east of Nueva Gerona, this striking prison was built…

6. Playa Paraíso

2.41 MILES

About 2km north of Chacón (about 6km northeast of Nueva Gerona), Playa Paraíso is a dirty brown beach with good currents for water sports. The wharf was…

7. Presa El Abra

2.8 MILES

Where have all the folk from Nueva Gerona gone? Gone to cool off in Presa El Abra, every one. On a scalding La Isla afternoon, you'd best join them. With…

8. Cementerio Colombia

3.95 MILES

The cemetery here contains the graves of Americans who lived and died on the island during the 1920s and 1930s. It's about 7km east of Nueva Gerona and…