In the Main Square is a bust of Hatuey, the brave Indian leader who resisted early conquistadores until he was caught by the Spanish and burned at the stake. There’s also a very lively Casa de la Trova here. It is worth wandering along the Malecón, the seaside avenue, from the snug Fuerte Matachín (an early 19th-century fort that has a small but informative municipal museum inside) to the Hotel La Rusa, which is named after a legendary Russian émigrée who over the years hosted celebrities such as Che Guevara and Errol Flynn.

This fortress, which now houses the Hotel El Castillo, dominates a hill overlooking Baracoa. It is a former castle looking out over red-tiled roofs, the town’s expansive, oyster-shaped bay and the landmark mountain called El Yunque (The Anvil), named for its singular shape. Although construction on it started in 1739, the fort wasn't finished until nearly 200 years later. Even if you don't stay here, stop by for the views of El Yunque and the city.

The Maguana Beach, located around 20 kilometers North from Baracoa, is the perfect sample of a tropical beach. This delightful beach is characterized not just by its reluctant white sand of its shore, but for being surrounded by palm trees and counts with quiet turquoise waters, result of the protection brought by the beautiful coral reef located very close to the coast. It is a very popular beach among the natives and the visitors. At the beach are some low scale facilities for visitors, including restaurant services and tourist villas that can be rented.

The beautiful Playa Blanca is set up in the suburbs of the city of Baracoa, just two kilometers away from the city. This way, you can enjoy it after a calm walk from the village and crossing the Miel River. The characteristic thing of the charming white sand and crystalline waters beach, is that you have to pay the admission on the control post located in the access to the area, because it is enclosed on the inside of the protected reservation.