©Lonely¨Planet¨Publications¨Pty¨Ltd Artemisa & Mayabeque Provinces % 47 / pop 885,544 Why Go? Artemisa Leap-frogged by almost everyone on an organized ‘itin- Province ......................155 erary,’ Cuba’s two smallest provinces, created by dividing San Antonio de Havana province in half in 2010, deal with more everyday los Baños ....................155 topics – like growing half of the crops that feed the nation, Artemisa ....................156 for example. But in among the patchwork of citrus and pineapple fields lie a smattering of small towns that will Soroa ..........................158 satisfy the curious and the brave. The most interesting Las Terrazas ...............159 corner is Las Terrazas and Soroa, Cuba’s most successful Bahía Honda & eco-project and an increasingly important nexus for trek- Around ........................162 king and birdwatching; while, east of Havana, Jibacoa’s Mayabeque beaches are the domain of a small trickle of Varadero- Province ......................163 avoiding tourists who guard their secret jealously. Playa Jibacoa Area .....163 Wander elsewhere and you’ll be in mainly Cuban com- Jaruco .........................165 pany (or none at all) contemplating sugar plantation ruins, weird one-of-a-kind museums, and improbably riotous festi- Surgidero de vals. For a kaleidoscope of the whole region take the ridicu- Batabanó ................... 166 lously slow Hershey train through the nation’s proverbial backyard and admire the view. Best Hiking ¨¨La Rosita (p158) When to Go ¨ ¨¨Sendero La Serafina ¨The provinces’ big attractions vary considerably climate- (p160) wise. Because of their unique geographical situation, Soroa and Las Terrazas have a microclimate: more rain and ¨¨El Contento (p160) minimum monthly temperatures 2°C to 3°C colder than ¨¨parque Escaleras de Havana. Jaruco (p165) ¨¨As it gets hotter later here than elsewhere in the region, February through May is the optimum time to visit, being warm without being significantly wet. Best Swimming ¨¨April sees the provinces’ premier festival, the International ¨¨Baños del San Juan (p161) Humor Festival in San Antonio de los Baños. ¨¨Salto del Arco Iris (p158) ¨¨December through April is best for the beaches at playa ¨¨Baños del Bayate (p161) Jibacoa. ¨¨playa Jibacoa (p163) 154 beque Provinces Provinces Provinces Provinces beque beque beque A A A y y y Ma Ma Ma & & & A A A Artemis Artemis Artemis hts ig hl Hig S Province eque ab y A M & Artemisa & Mayabeque Provinces Highlights 1 Try to suppress giggles 3 go green at cuba’s 4 Breathe easier at the 6 Bag a beach retreat beside 7 Feast with a view and with at San Antonio de los Baños’ primary eco-village where the country’s first and best eco- alluring Playa Jibacoa at the weekending Havana folk at Museo del Humor (p155). slopes have been replanted hotel, Hotel Moka (p162). elegant Superclub Breezes scenic Parque Escaleras de 2 Hike the hills above with trees, orchids, painters 5 escape the tourist trails on (p165). Jaruco (p165). verdant Soroa (p158). and poets in Las Terrazas the historic Hershey Electric (p159). Railway (p163). Hershey Electric Mirador de 0 40 km Railway Bacunayagua 0 20 miles Canald e Pla yasd elE ste Boca de Puertodo Escondi Tarará Jaruco Santa Cruz Playa Cubamar del Norte Jibacoa HAVANA Guanabo Jardines de Gulf of Mexico Canto de Santa Fe; Hershey Cityo f Puerto Cantor del Viejo y El Ma Central Camilo Havana Campo Jibacoa Arcos de Escondido Pla ya Cienfuegos Vía Blanca Playa Baracoa Florido Pueblo Canasí Salado San Antonio Río l Parque de Río Blanco Ranchón arie Jibacoa Gaviota a-M Escaleras de pista Haban Jaruco Auto Jaruco 4) Puntaa Brav Joséí Mart o (A Cabañas Mariel l Rí International de A Airport u na-Pinar Bauta topist Haba aHa San José ta s Caimito b de las Lajas Bejucal ana l Guanajay Catalina Mad rug a Autopi - Melena s o de Güine Province Bahía sari San Antonio Matanzas Cayajabos Centra Aut Honda a o p del Ro r de los Baños ista ra Naciona San Antonio Sier Güines de Cabezas Las Carrete Alquízar Soroa Ant iguo Quivicán l(A1) Terrazas Cafetal Artemisa San Nicolás Ang erona Güira de Mel enar del Su z Melena Nueva Pa Artemisa Mayabeque San Candelaria Batabanó Cristóbal R Surgiderod e ío Pla ya Bataban ó To Playa Girón (102km); H La Playita o Majana Cienfuegos (159km); nd Ensenada d eB atabanó Santa Clara (183km) o Golfo de la B roa Pinar del Cayeria Río Province Las Cayamas.