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Today, it would be great to see the authorities ressuscitate the train service from here to Holguin, thereby having a double effect of creating a lot of local traffic for residents and workers as well as supporting Holguin and getting revenues from tourists. Along the coast, there is a project of running a tourist train to Gibara from the beach resorts in Guardalavaca, one of the Caribbean's largest tourist areas. A program to rejuvenate the colonial buildings (as was done succesfully in Old Havana), is timidly starting with the ongoing renovation of the lovely Teatro. In April 2007, Gibara held the 5th edition of its annual Festival Internacional del Cine Pobre, a low-budget film fest. A project of one of Cuba's premier directors, Humberto Solas.
POPULATION 17,500 SEE • Copa del Amor (legendary site in cemetery) • Fortaleza (office of the Historian : say hello to architect Alberto Mora) • Fuerte El Cuartelón • Fuerte Fernando VII • Iglesia de San Fulgencio (Parque Calixto Garcia) • Mirador, the lookout above town : restaurant, bar, snack • Museo del Arte Colonial • Museo de Historia Natural (largest collection of stuffed birds in Cuba, whale : enjoy practicing your Spanish with young Conservador Ernesto Moreno Garcia) • Museo Municipal (meet Mary, its charming director) • Parks : Calixto Garcia, Colon and Las Madres, all along main street, calle Independencia. RESTAURANTS Casa Colonial, El Faro (La Concha), Mirador de Gibara EVENINGS • Artex, live music on weekends, 5cuc • Casa de la Cultura, exhibitions and more • Ciné Jiba, main venue of the film festival • Outdoor stage on the Malecon (a malecon is a seaside sidewalk). Fond memories of a 29 Dec. night along with 800 young spectators, enjoying on stage, a group of young rappers, Tecno Caribe. LOCAL PLAYAS These are deserted in winter (Oct to May). • Playa Bavado • Playacita El Faro (great summer photo-op) • Playa La Concha PLAYAS IN THE AREA • Playa Blanca, (across the bay, by barca, the ferry, Gray 4 on map) or by car, around the bay, about 28 k's • Playa Los Bajos, 30 km by car, past Playa Blanca : busy in summer, its casas are deserted (and unrentable) in winter • Playa Caletones, 18 (3 small beaches in this village of 268) • Playa Pesquero Nueva (in Guardalavaca, largest resort complex in the country), 53 km. SERVICES (same as nearby Holguin) $$$ Note : although there are two banks in town, neither offers advance cash funds debited from a credit card. Better get enough convertible pesos when going through Holguin • There was no publicly-available Internet connection here in March 06. • Cellular phones work. Aeropuerto Frank País 43-93-40, Cubana Office 42-57-07, Airport 46-25-12, Havanautos 48-14-15, Medical 42-53-02, Micar 48-16-52, Transautos 48-10-11, Transtur 42-41-87, Turistaxi 42-41-87  Click to enlarge our exclusive map © sogestour TRANSPORT • Lancha/Ferry - see Gray 4 on Map - (roofed, 18-passager capacity, 1cuc). Leaves the port at least twice a day. Returns one hour later. Two stops : across the bay in front of town at fishing port of San Antonio and then over at Caliche. • Bus Two daily from Holguin, the first leaving Valiares Terminal at 7, arrives here at 9:30. Another leaves here around 3:30 p.m. from Fulgencio Park. • Taxi particular to and from Holguin for 20cuc : 30 mins. Suggestions and comments webmaster @cubacasas.net |
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| EXCURSIONS • Playa Blanca, small deserted beach (since 06, boasts a small snack and beer counter); San Antonio a tiny fishing village both across the bay and some 3 km further (by foot : no cars around) : Los Bajos a tiny summer village with a few casas on the sea : access these spots by riding the lancha, a small 15-passenger ferry from Gibara port • La Represa a disaffected dam (presa) which still holds water and forms a small lake and a waterfall where Gibarans love to spend the day...in summer. Less water and action in winter but travellers have the place to themselves. Some 5k's away, turn right before the Campismo La Caridad (42 cabañas, pool, horses) after a left turn on the way to Holguin. Ask around, everyone knows • Cavernas de Panaderos : grottos or caves, 19 galeries, 11km-long underground trail. Go up the hill on Independencia, ask around as they're not marked. At the Fortaleza, staff organises tours with equipment • Natural bassins (swimming in crystal-clear water) and underground marine caves, including Tanque Azul 3km on foot from Caletones. German experts say it could be the world's second longest • Sillas and other mogotes (hills similar to those near Viñales) ; climb La Silla de Gibara on foot (or on horseback from the campismo La Caridad, 8km bike ride away : superb views. (Silla = saddle) • Cueva Fructuoso, a large cave with stalagtites and stalagmites and natural swing branches. Swimming. Quite a job and about one hour to get to, as only high-clearance trucks or 4x4's can manage the road. From town, calle Independencia up the hill and straight on dirt road. Best to go around noon as sunlight will warm and light the natural pond inside. Organize this through friends or casa owners in Gibara • Guardalavaca by the dirt road (4x4 required in summer only) passing the Silla and campismo which lead to it, crossing lovely village of Fray Benito, then Rafael Freyre (village of sugar mill now museum with tourist train reserved for hotel groups), 120 km there and back • Parque Monumento Nacional de Bariay, 88 km east in Rafael Freyre (landing of Colombus, ruins, sculptures, horsedrawn coach ride, restaurant) • In Velasco, 41 km west, Casa Felix Varona Cecilia founded in 1964 by architect Walter Betancourt (1932-1978), protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright to mark his support for the Revolución |
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| BOOK BY PHONE In october 2007, all of Gibara's phone number go from 5 to 6 digits. (The first number 3 is replaced by 84) • From Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by 24 for Gibara). • From Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by 24 for Gibara). |
 BOOK BY EMAIL : Click on logo to open a message addressed to that casa in your email application; or right-click to copy address showing at bottom of browser window. Spanish vocabulary here.  |
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HOSTAL VITRAL Nancy Perez Pozo and daughter Rosi Calle Independencia # 36, e/ Calixto Garcia y J. Peralta, a minute from the Malecon, same block as the bank, close to the Post Office, the city museum and the town's only large store. Tel. (24) 84-44-69 This is a most remarkable colonial built in 1876 and recently and constantly renovated. Vitral is glass-stained window in Spanish : some vitrals decorate this elegantly furnished home. Nancy has been a longtime local patron of the arts. Her family has owned this casa since 1902. It originally was twice this size. One of the most charming and extraordinary casas in the country, charging regular rates, ie. 25cuc per night for a double-occupancy room. Listed in Petit Futé 2007-2008 |
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MESON PERLA HERMOSA Roberto y Norkis Calle Joaquin Aguero 135, e/ Cespédes y J. Mora Tel. (24) 84-45-91 (care of neighbour across the street). Roberto Hernandez' colonial casa has an anonymous beige facade, but a remarkable interior, decorated with a great taste by spouse Norkis, a generous and enthusiastic woman. A double living room with its original colonial wooden ceiling, a small patio, a nice functional kitchen along which open the two bedrooms with shared bathroom. One bedroom has its own mini kitchen. Our choice, should Hostal Vitral be full. (Use Hostal Vitral's e-mail contact to reserve; please specify you wish to book Perla Hermosa in your message.) Listed in Petit Futé 2007-2008 |
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VILLA CANEY Ramiro Gomez y Tiana Calle Sartorio No 36, entre J. Peralta y Luz Caballero Tel (24) 84-45-52 Behind this colonial facade, you'll find a typical large sala (living room), this one beautified by a double arch. Ramiro and his wife Tiana, a young couple, run it efficiently along with the help of Amelina. Along a corridor, the kitchen, a dining area in front of the green part of the patio (and a new launderia since March 05) and in the back, two aircon bedrooms with their modern private bathrooms. |
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HOSTAL LAS BRISAS Arnel Silvas Dominguez & Yvan Tamayo Aguilera Calle J. Peralta 61, entre J. Mora y M. Grajales Tel. (24) 84-42-11 Built in 1948, the casa located on the Malecon was totally renovated including two air-conditioned bedrooms, each with its private bathroom including a bath. View of the sea, nice patio. Meals served include regional and international fare. Welcome cocktail. Hosts Yvan and Arnel speak French fluently and get along in English; they have lived in France. Rate : 20cuc or 25cuc (2 adults max. per bedroom) |
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CASA DE LOS AMIGOS Sra. Chantal y Alex Rivas Calle Cespedes #15, e/ J. Peralta y Luz Caballero. Tel. (24) 84-41-15 Well-appointed bedrooms, each with their own private modern bathroom. Muchos paintings from local artists. Patio divided in areas : bar, dining, reading and a conversation corner with upholstered seats. In front, the classic sala (living room) opening onto the street. Meals served. Chantal is a Française and so speaks Molière's mother tongue. Listed in Petit Futé 2007-2008 |
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LOS HERMANOS Odalys Gonzalez Gurri Céspedes #13, entre L. Caballero y J. Peralta. Tel. (24) 84-45-42 This large casa opens on a beautiful patio. Its owners are very friendly but not overbearing. Peace and quiet reign supreme here. Large patio, large living room in front. Two bedrooms with private bath, one is in the back, upstairs with a view of San Fulgencio church. Listed in Petit Futé 2007-2008 |
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EL PATIO Lily y Angel Calle J. Mora No. 19, e/Cuba y J. Aguero Tel. (24) 84-42-49 Behind, this one-storey casa in its own independant quarter, one aircon bedroom with its private bathroom. Large patio, eventually shaded. Rates : 20cuc for the bedroom (2 adults max.), breakfasts, 3cuc, dinners 7-10cuc |
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EL HORIZONTE Angel y Isabel Chavela Calle Independencia No. 107, e/Agramonte y Cavada Tel. (24) 84-44-95 On the second floor of this casa located on the heights of main street, Angel and isabel rent an aircon bedroom with a private bathroom. Large terrace with a private starir entrance with great views of the town and bay. Mini-kitchen, locked garage on the premises. Rate : 20cuc or 25cuc with kitchenette (2 adults max.) |
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LA FORTUNA Angel Luis Calle Marti No 22, e/Sartorio y Independencia Tel. (24) 84-45-42 Right on the main town plaza, on the south side of San Fulgencio church, this nice 19th century house shows a pleasant atmosphere. Two standard bedrooms sharing a private bathroom along a narrow patio with kitchen in the back. |
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VILLA BOQUERON Isidro y Consuelo Avenida Rabi 53, right on the Malecon road, e/ J. Peralta y Luz Caballero Tel. (24) 84-44-03 or 84-45-59 In a well-decorated seaside casa, the couple rents one air-conditioned bedroom with its private bathroom. Ranchon/open dining area (meals are served), rooftop terrace with open views of the sea; garage parking for rental car. Rate : 20cuc or 25cuc (2 adults max. in bedroom) |
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VILLA BETINA Angel Luis Ramirez Ramos Calle Donato Marmol 51, e/Calixto Garcia y Joaquin Aguero, one block from Parque Colon. Cellular (5) 269-5263 Two bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, air-conditioning, nice patio. Older couple with mother. May lack intimacy as mama does an 11 p.m. curfew but Alberto the cook (previously with Perla Hermosa and Hostal Vitral) prepares good fare. Rate : 20cuc or 25cuc (2 adults max. per bedroom) |
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CASA LEONCIO Joaquín Agüero #13, entre Callejon y Maximo Gomez. Tel. (24) 84-44-93 Recent house close to the bus terminal (almost no busses running here anyway ...), this casa is a bit outside of centre. Even if it's not up to the standards of the other casas in town, Leoncio's plans and hospitality somehow compensate for its lack of colonial charm. • Two bedrooms with private baths. • Kitchen available for use by clients. • Terrace with a view of the bay. • Easy parking. |
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Content & photos © sogestour  Updated 24.06.2008 |
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