A peculiar elevation of vertical slopes and flat top located 8 km off the Baracoa city, Columbus described it in his diary notes of his first trip to Cuba in 1492. El Yunque de Baracoa, declared National Monument and symbol of the city of Baracoa, considered an ecological island that called the attention of Admiral Christopher Columbus in his first trip to the Americas, serving as an orientation feature due to its unusual characteristics (flat topped). The fauna of the Yunque is rich and diverse there are abundant woodpeckers, humming birds, jutias, lizards, reptiles. There is a natural viewpoint at 573 m, from which one can see a vast landscape of green mountains and rivers with the Bay of Baracoa as backdrop.

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 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. 

An ideal place in the countryside to experience nature, the rural lifestyle and the fascinating world of cocoa, an opportunity to learn in depth about Baracoa's deeply rooted cocoa. A tour takes you past mango and coconut trees as well as coffee and cocoa crops. There are educational trails where the plants of cocoa are displayed and the entire traditional growing, harvesting and processing methods used by local farmers are shown. You'll also visit a typical bohío, or peasant's hut, where staff members actually live. A rustic restaurant serves typical dishes from the Baracoan cuisine and chocolate based preparations.