Named the Blue City of Mills (Villa Azul de los Molinos), Puerto Padre spreads over 180 square k's and was shown on 16th century maps as Portus Patris.
Legend has that a sailor aboard one of Christopher Colombus' ships, seeing the port for the first time said to the man next to him, a priest : " Que puerto, Padre ! " (What a port, Father !). We don't make 'em up, we just copy and paste.
The ciudad reminds one of some coastal towns like Trinidad, Gibara and Remedios : not enormous, relatively calm, has colonial architecture, an industrial port, Puerto Carupano and an access to the sea.
A large water mass is made up of two bays, Bahia de Puerto Padre or Cascarero and Bahia de Chaparra with tiny Cayo Juan Claro and Cayo Puerco and beaches Las Bocas and La Llanita nearby as well as a large reef off Covarrubias.
KNOW
Birthplace of Latin Jazz precursor, Emiliano Salvador (1951-1992) and of many magazines and papers from 1896 (Localista, El Noticiero, Madrugada et Alborada Villazulina). One still can find remnants of wide avenues and colonial buildings, the La Premiere library, El Cucalambé printer, a cinema, a concert stage, the Rivoli Theater (originally the Aldana).
The port of Carupano supplied the sugar mills (centrales) of Chaparra and Delicias and their 10,000 laborers during the zafras. Also worth seeing, a statue of La Libertad (like the ones in Paris and New York) and a bust in honor of the Madres.
SEE
The small Statue of Liberty imitating those in Paris and New York in • The parque de la Independencia • Museo Fernando García Grave de Peralta • The buste in homage to Cuban mothers, Busto de las Madres • The parque Marti and its Iglesia Catolica • The casa de la UNEAC (Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba), the 17th in Cuba, inaugurated in September 2006.
PLAYAS
Superb and almost deserted in winter, packed by Cubans from Holguin in summer : Playa Las Bocas (see our page here) and neighbouring Playa La Llanitas are 16 km or 20 mins. away by guagua to El Socucho, then by mini ferry (lancha). By car the whole way, via Delicias and Lora, it's 71 km.
Playa Covarrubias, 42 km northwest is where the 180-room Hotel Club Covarrubias — Tel. (31) 51-5530 — offers, since 1998, 3-star all-inclusive only lodging and scuba diving on a 6 km-long coral reef 1.5 km offshore.
OUR SUGGESTIONS V = suggested by webbies, owners and travelers. Check by phone or in person. Children 16 and under may share parents' bedroom at no charge only if there is an additional bed available. Mention the age of your children when making the reservation.
In Covarrubias, 42 km west : one only hotel (a 3-star) with pools and a lovely flour-like white beach plus a coral reef so fascinating that some compare it with Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Non-guests can spend the day all included from 10am to 6pm for 20cuc. ••• But getting there is murder on your bum as the road is pock-holed from constant running of water truck tankers to/from the hotel. The only "public" transportation, the employees guagua, takes 90 mins. From town, tip the driver 2cuc and he'll let you on. •|• Main street looks good as it leads directly to the once-industrial Puerto Carupano.
TO MAKE A RESERVATION BY PHONE
• From Canada and the USA :
011 53 (add phone # preceded by the town's area code, 31).
• From Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico :
00 53 (add phone # preceded by the town's area code, 31).
CARLOS y NUIRIS V Sra Nuiris Bosch y Sr Carlos Mendoza
Calle Maceo 5, near main street (Avenida Libertad) and a few moments' walk from the sea.
Tel. (31) 51-28-20 The colonial facade looks romantic (well to us, at least...). The couple rents a rather luxurious air-conditioned bedroom with its own bathroom, table and chairs and reading lamps.
Guests can enter through a private entrance and may be treated - on request - to the family's excellent cuisine.
Rates : 25cuc per night for the bedroom (2 adults max.).
VILLA 1918 V Dr. José R. Ruiz Abraham Calle Angel Amejeiras 69, angle Menendez Tel. (31) 51-23-71 Cell (5) 283-7888
Built in 1918 the building was totally renovated in 2003 and that is where this medic rents one aircon bedroom with its own private bathroom, natural ventilation and dresser.
The clientèle can also enjoy the living room, the dining area, the kitchen and a private terrace to taste the meals or spend a musical evening. Internet access and enclosed garage on premises.
Rates : 20-25cuc per night for the bedroom (2 adults max.). Reduced rate for 3 days or more.
Click to enter. © leprohon
