The Circuito Sur

The Circuito Sur coast road dips and rises east of Cienfuegos [1], with the Sierra Escambray [2] to the north. Beaches lie hidden at the mouths of rivers that wash down from the hills, as at the mouth of the Río La Jutía, 42 kilometers from Cienfuegos, and eight kilometers farther east, at Playa Inglés.

Hacienda La Vega (tel. 043/55-1126, daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m.), about three kilometers west of Playa Inglés, is a cattle farm (vaquería) where horseback riding is offered (CUC4 per hour) and demonstrations of traditional farm life are given. A roadside restaurant serves snacks and criollo fare. Lather up with insect repellent!

Three kilometers east of the turnoff for Playa Ingles, you’ll cross the Río Yaguanabo and pass into Sancti Spíritus Province [3]. You can follow a rugged dirt track seven kilometers inland to Finca Protegida Yaguanabo-Arriba, also with horseback riding and guided birding in the foothills of the Escambray mountains.

The highlight is the Cueva Martín Infierno, a stupendous cavern that boasts Latin America’s largest stalagmite (67 meters tall) and gypsum flowers (flores de yeso).