Hotel in Guantánamo, Cuba
Casa Baracoa Vista al Mar
Simple but charming Baracoa casa with ocean views. Perfect budget base for exploring Cuba's most remote and beautiful region.
Casa Baracoa Vista al Mar is located at Calle Coronel Cardoso 29 in Baracoa, a small coastal town at Cuba's far eastern tip in Guantánamo province — the most remote city on the island and Cuba's oldest Spanish settlement, founded in 1511. The casa particular takes its name from the ocean views it commands over the Bahía de Baracoa and the Caribbean Sea, a panorama that extends from the property's terrace to frame one of Cuba's most compelling coastal landscapes, with the distinctive flat-topped silhouette of El Yunque mountain (575 meters) visible to the southwest.
Baracoa sits within an enclave of extraordinary biodiversity, surrounded by the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and ringed by rivers, cacao plantations, and rainforest-clad mountains. Access to the town remains challenging even by Cuban standards: the winding mountain road known as La Farola is the primary overland route from Guantánamo city, and the small Gustavo Rizo Airport connects Baracoa to Havana by domestic flight. This relative isolation has preserved both the natural environment and the town's distinct Afro-Cuban cultural character, including a local music tradition with roots in the indigenous Taíno heritage.
The casa provides comfortable accommodation suited to Baracoa's conditions: air conditioning, a daily breakfast service, and the terrace with its sea views as a primary gathering space. The hosts connect guests with local guides for the area's main activities — river kayaking on the Toa and Yumurí rivers, guided hikes up El Yunque, visits to cacao and coconut plantations in the surrounding valleys, and boat trips along the coast to more isolated beaches. These excursions are typically arranged informally through the casa, which is the standard approach for independent travelers exploring the Baracoa region.
The property's position on Calle Coronel Cardoso places it within short walking distance of Baracoa's historic waterfront Malecón, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (which houses a cross attributed to Christopher Columbus), the local market, and the town's main paladares. At rates between $25 and $48 per night, the property sits within Baracoa's budget accommodation range, where limited hotel infrastructure and the town's remoteness have historically kept prices lower than Havana or Trinidad.
Amenities
- ocean views
- breakfast
- air conditioning
- terrace
- local tours
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +53 5 2947362
Location
Calle Coronel Cardoso 29, Baracoa, Guantánamo, Cuba
20.3478, -74.4967 — View on map
Highlights
- Terrace with views over the Bahía de Baracoa and the Caribbean Sea, with El Yunque mountain visible in the background
- Walking distance to Baracoa's historic waterfront, Cuba's oldest cathedral, and the local market
- Host-arranged excursions to El Yunque, the Toa and Yumurí river valleys, cacao farms, and coastal beaches
- Gateway location for Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Breakfast included in Cuba's most geographically and culturally distinctive coastal town
Tips
- Carry sufficient Cuban pesos (CUP) from Santiago de Cuba or Havana — Baracoa's ATM can run empty during busy periods and there are no alternatives in town
- Book well in advance during December–February and Easter week, when traveler numbers exceed the available supply of casas particulares in Baracoa
- Arrange El Yunque hikes through the casa hosts; certified guides are required on the main trail and independent hiking is not permitted
- Víazul intercity buses do not serve Baracoa directly — travelers arriving by bus transfer in Guantánamo city for a local connection or share a collective taxi via La Farola road
- Try Baracoa's local chocolate from the factory on the main street — the regional cacao produces a distinctly flavored chocolate quite different from Cuban chocolate found elsewhere on the island
FAQ
Does Casa Baracoa Vista al Mar have views of the sea?
Yes, the property includes a terrace with views over the Bahía de Baracoa and the Caribbean Sea. The vista extends toward El Yunque mountain and is one of the casa's primary amenities, particularly appreciated at sunset.
How do travelers reach Baracoa?
Baracoa is accessible by the mountain road La Farola from Guantánamo city (approximately 150 km), by Víazul bus with a connection in Guantánamo city, or by domestic flight from Havana's José Martí International Airport to Gustavo Rizo Airport in Baracoa. The road journey via La Farola takes around 3 hours and is one of Cuba's most scenic drives.
Can the casa help arrange local excursions?
Yes, the hosts can connect guests with local guides for excursions to El Yunque mountain, the Toa and Yumurí river valleys, cacao plantations, the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, and isolated beaches east and west of Baracoa. Most arrangements are made informally through the casa.
Is Baracoa suitable for nature-focused travelers?
Baracoa is one of Cuba's premier destinations for nature tourism, bordering the UNESCO-listed Alejandro de Humboldt National Park. River kayaking, guided mountain hiking, birdwatching in primary rainforest, and cacao farm visits are among the main activities available in the surrounding area.
What is breakfast like at the casa?
Breakfast is a home-cooked Cuban morning meal, typically featuring local fruit, eggs, bread, and Cuban coffee. Baracoa's position in a cacao and coconut-growing agricultural region means breakfasts often incorporate ingredients not found in other Cuban destinations, including fresh coconut and locally produced chocolate.
Accessibility
Casa Baracoa Vista al Mar is a traditional casa particular and detailed accessibility information is not publicly documented. Travelers with wheelchair or mobility requirements should contact the property directly before booking, as older building stock in Baracoa typically includes entrance steps and uneven interior surfaces.
When to visit
January to April offers the driest and most comfortable conditions for exploring Baracoa and the surrounding national park. May–November brings higher rainfall, which intensifies the lush vegetation but can make river excursions and mountain trails muddy. Baracoa is a small town and advance booking is recommended year-round.