Hello, friends of Pinmapple.
Thanks to my work I had the opportunity to visit many places in the country. The Isla de la Juventud is one of the most visited because for more than 20 years I traveled to the place an average of 2 times each. Anyone might think that after so many trips I would be tired, but I confess that this is not the case, in each one of them I felt like the first time.
There are two ways to get to the Isla de La Juventud, the air and the sea. In most of my visits, I used the second one, because for this it is easier to get a reservation.
My trip began in Havana, where I took a bus to Bataban贸. The trip was quite comfortable and took no more than two hours. During the journey, some take the opportunity to take a nap or chat with other passengers and others focus on enjoying the scenery through the wide windows of the bus. Once in Bataban贸, we proceed to check the tickets and wait for the passengers to call to board the catamaran.
The catamaran ride was a unique experience, as I was able to see some of the smaller islands in the area and the seascape was simply stunning. As in the buses, each one experiences it in their own way, although movies, musicals, and humorous programs are already shown on the boat on monitors strategically placed so that all passengers can enjoy them. Finally, after a four-hour journey, I arrived in Nueva Gerona, the main city of the Isla de la Juventud.
The entrance to Nueva Gerona is through the Las Casas River since the landing point is a few kilometers upriver from the coast. This tour is very enjoyable, as it allows you to see the buildings that are on its margins. They did not allow me to take photos that had a minimum of quality.
After leaving my luggage in the room that I had previously reserved in a hotel, I went out with my camera ready to dedicate my first stage to visiting some places close to the margins of this important waterway.
I took as my starting point the place where I disembarked on my trip from Havana to Nueva Gerona, that is, the Traveler Boarding Terminal. When I arrived, the passengers had already dispersed and everything was clear, which allowed me to take a photo in which the building could be perfectly appreciated, which is in a good state of conservation.
Unfortunately, there are no roads that run along the banks of the river throughout its passage through the city, so the beauty of the river couldn't be appreciated in all its magnitude. There are many constructions that rise from the same shore and do not allow this route.
A few meters away is a small square known as El Pinero, named after the preserved hull of a vessel that was used to transport the Apostle of Independence and National Hero, Jose Marti, to the Island of Pines (currently the Island of Youth).
Adjacent to Plaza El Pinero is the PescaIsla Fishing Company, in charge of the exploitation of both maritime and freshwater fishing areas in the territory.
El barco Ciboney es utilizado para el traslado de los productos de esta empresa hacia Bataban贸 fundamentalmente.
As you may have noticed, the Las Casas River has great economic importance for the city, as it serves not only as a waterway for the transportation of goods to the interior of the island but also as an outlet to the sea for its connection with the rest of Cuba. Additionally, it is a source of food, as many fishermen use it to obtain their daily catch.
On the other bank of the river, we can find boatyards and workshops for the repairing of vessels. Additionally, it is used for mooring boats.
The main connection between both banks of the river is the bridge on 32nd Street. Through it, the city center is connected with other important neighborhoods of the city as Sierra Caballos, and with roads that allow the transfer to the Bibijagua, Punta de Piedra, Para铆so and Los Estudiantes beaches, among others.
A little further upstream, we find a Rafting Base and some motels and Villas such as the Rancho del Tesoro, so the river is also important from a tourist point of view.
If you're planning a visit to Nueva Gerona and the Las Casas River, here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip:
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, as you're likely to walk and hike in the area.
Bring enough sunscreen and insect repellent, as the area can be quite hot and humid.
= Don't forget your camera! The scenery is stunning and you'll want to capture all the special moments.
In summary, we have talked about the Las Casas River on the Island of Youth in Cuba, highlighting its economic importance as a waterway for the transportation of goods and connection with the rest of the country, as well as its value as a source of food and recreation. We also mentioned the presence of workshops and boatyards for the repair of vessels and the role of the 32nd street bridge as the main connection between both banks of the river. Overall, the Las Casas River is an impressive place worth visiting if you have the opportunity.
Do you like this story? I hope you enjoyed the post.
Please, leave me your comment or suggestion. Thanks!
| Photographer |  @r4f4 |
|---|---|
| Follow me: https://vero.co/rferrod All photos are my property and the references related to historical dates were taken from public sources such as Ecured and Wikipedia. |
