The Cathedral "Nuestra Señora de la Asunción", arises at the beginning of the XVI century in the village of Baracoa. At that time this church was known with the name of La Iglesia Parroquial de la Villa de Baracoa. The church is best known for preserving the Cruz de la Parra that Columbus supposedly used when he came ashore in 1492 to claim Cuba for Spain and Christianity. Indeed, carbon dating has confirmed that the cross was fashioned in the late 1400s and is old enough to have been brought by the explorer. It can be stated with certainty that this is one of oldest crosses (perhaps the oldest) in the New World. 

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.

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.

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.