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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Caribbean
- Cuba
- Havana
- Montemar Natural Park
Montemar Natural Park
Cuba is developing its eco-tourism potential, and one of the
prime spots for getting back to nature is at the Montemar Natural
Park on the Zapata Peninsula in the province of Matanzas (about 75
miles or 120km from Havana). The peninsula is one of the largest
swamps in the Caribbean, and its vast area includes forests,
marshes, crystal-clear lagoons and canals. Its exuberant flora,
including more than 900 species of plants (115 of them endemic to
Cuba) is complemented by its rich fauna, consisting of 160 bird
species and 12 types of animal, including crocodiles. One of the
park's many features is the Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure Lagoon), a
fresh water reservoir inhabited by golden trout. In the midst of
the lagoon is a reproduction Taino village with its houses built on
pillars. There are nature trails, a bird watching centre, and the
largest flooded cave in Cuba. There is also a scuba centre,
crocodile farm and several restaurants.
Information & Facts
Address
Ciénaga de Zapata, Matanzas
Language
The official language is Spanish, but English is spoken
in the main tourist spots.
Money
The official currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP), divided into 100
centavos, but the 'tourist' currency is the Peso Convertible (CUC),
which replaces the US Dollar as currency in tourist related
establishments like hotels, restaurants and so called 'dollar
shops'. US Dollars are no longer accepted as payment, and a 10%
commission or more is charged to exchange them, therefore the best
currency to bring along is Euros, the British Pound or Canadian
Dollars. The CUC is almost equal in value to the US Dollar. Some
places only accept Cuban pesos and others only Pesos Convertible
(usually tourist related establishments). Money should only be
changed at official exchange bureaux or banks to avoid scams
confusing the two currencies. Visa and MasterCard are generally
accepted only in major cities and hotels as long as they haven't
been issued by a US bank; Diners Club has limited acceptance, and
American Express is not accepted anywhere on the island. Travellers
cheques are less readily accepted than credit cards, but all major
currencies are acceptable, except for US bank issued cheques. No
US-issued credit or debit cards will work in ATMs, but those
holding other cards issued in other countries should be able to get
pesos at most major tourist destinations. Euro or Sterling
travellers cheques are accepted at Cuban banks and Bureaux de
Change.
Time
Local time is GMT -5 (GMT-4 from the second Sunday in March
to the last Sunday in October).