A quiet seaside village surviving with small-time fishing and a beautiful blonde beach, Playa La Herradura offers its almost-on-the-water casas to the citizens of Las Tunas, Holguin and Velasco.
Without stores or telephone, it attracts travellers looking for a total getaway : one can rent a room in legal casas and enjoy only the skies, the sea, the quiet and the seafood. In summer, forget it : it is packed, shoulder-to-shoulder with smoldering heat-avoiding Cubans.
Although modest, its handful of casas are clean and well-equipped. Bring books, sun lotion and wine.
Take only pictures, leave only footprints.
A safe bet ? This place will be swarming with all-inclusive resorts by 2018 ... if the planet lasts that long ;(
LOCATION
On the road between Velasco and Puerto Padre : from Lora (a train track passes), go north towards the coast for about 8km. Jesus Menendez (called Chaparra when this was a huge sugar town) is the city that serves it for food and services.
If your itin includes Gibara or Holguin, it's easy to get here going through Velasco. From the country's central highway and Las Tunas, you'll go by Puerto Padre, Delicias, then Chaparra and turn left at Lora close to the train track.
MAPS & LINKS
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| Regional road map |
Map of provincia Las Tunas.
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Las Tunas Weather Forecast (Wunderground),
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| Island-wide bus connections (horariodebuses.com/) |
| All that's natural in Las Tunas province |
Daily currency exchange rates
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DISTANCES
Bayamo, 168
Camaguey, 200
Delicias, 39
Gibara, via Velasco, 100
Holguin, 73
Jesus Menendez (Chaparra), 31
Las Tunas, 112
Puerto Padre, via Chaparra and Lora, 43
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POPULATION 400 (est.)
SEE
Swim, eat, drink and dream. A few k's away, on a flat seaside road (easy by bike), there's Punto Uvero, Las Llanitas and at the end of this dead-end road, Las Bocas and its playa.
SERVICES
They are all in Jesus Menendez, commonly called Chaparra. A visit should be called for (we will soon) : there are architectural finds (bungalows and cottages dating from the US colonial period) and a cultural community (musicians, writers, artists) which seems effervescent. Radio Victoria 1050AM, 94,5FM
PLAYAS
It's here ! Almost deserted in winter because Holguineros prefer their beaches in summer (verano) . Some 3 or 4 km away, playa Las Llanitas and then Las Bocas. A charming excursion and on your return, fill up with langostas for your casa owner to prepare.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Most casas have no phone, no address, just numbers for the casas : everyone knows them... They've had their permit since 98 or 99 and all offer seafood dinners with salad, banana frita and rice for approx. 5-6 cuc. All-inclusive breakfasts, 4-5 cuc. Rate for a double room for two per night : 20cuc, less for longer. Make an offer. Photos taken in June 05. Added on 26.07.05 Viva el 26 !
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