Cuba II – Baracoa

Baracoa is a secluded village at the eastern tip of Cuba. Worthwhile for short visit to get a glimpse of rural Cuba.

Baracoa is known to be one of the bays Christopher Columbus visited during his first voyage in 1492. Later is became the first Spanish settlement on the island and it’s first capital. Baracoa is a 14 hour bus ride away from Havana and quite secluded. The first street was build in the 1960s.

Baracoa has partly kept it structures with wooden houses, horses are still a mean of transportation. Obvious is the lack of capital for smallest repairs. The “touristic” center (one street) has very few restaurants. Other Plazas still have rural character. Around the harbour the decay is obvious. In autumn 2017 Cuba had elections which, as we know now, did not change a lot. People were cautious to comment on the expectations. I watched a local party meeting with mostly old people, of course photos not allowed. The communist slogans are fading.I left Baracoa slightly depressed…