Sitio La Guira (Historical site)

Sitio La Guira

Sitio La Guira, Cayo Coco, Cuba

This is an “eco-historical” site where tourists can discover the biodiversity of the region and take a journey into the past by learning more about the traditions and way of life of the early settlers inhabiting the region in the early 1900’s. You can find there a mini-village built in the style of an old coalminers’ settlement. The host of the estate Uncle Reinaldo Abreu, known as “El Tio” (the Uncle), will give you a tour of the place to discover the rich biodiversity and also the life of the first inhabitants of this islet. You can see a few typical houses, some farm animals, gardens, a sugarcane mill, a coffee pestle, etc.

They also have on-site a bar and a restaurant called Ranchon Los Marquez that serves typical Cuban meals and cocktails made with natural ingredients. The recently renovated facility offers now accommodation in rustic-style thatched-roof cabins, see our Cabanas Sitio La Guira page for more information, about their accommodation feature (amenities, inclusions, prices, etc.), and they also added a children playground. They sometimes organize special dinner and “Fiesta Guarira” (Country folk themed party).

The several nature trails allow you to discover the area on foot or on horseback. Note however that during our last visits we did not see any horses on site, so we’re not sure if horseback riding is still offered. The rich fauna and flora include more than 300 plant species and more than 200 types of birds.

El Tio will explain that the name of the place comes from the prolific presence of calabashes trees (Guira is spanigh for calabash) whose fruits were used by aborigines to make containers and dishes, and nowadays in the creation of handicrafts and maracas, or as a remedy against some ailments.

We visited this place a few times and always enjoyed the friendly and peaceful atmosphere of the place, it’s worth a visit! There is no entrance fee, but we strongly suggest leaving a small tip after the visit, and why not also have a drink at the bar, a snack or a meal in their restaurant, prices are very affordable! The place is surrounded by a dense vegetation and mangroves, so we also strongly suggest that you apply insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites and better enjoy the visit.

Contact Info - Sitio La Guira
Owner: Grupo Extrahotelero Palmares S.A.
Address: Carretera a Cayo Guillermo Km 7, Cayo Coco, Ciego de Avila, Cuba
Phone: (53 33) 30 1208

How to get there
Sitio la Guira is an official stop of the Hop-on/hop-off bus service, we suggest though asking in advance the driver to drop you off at Sitio la Guira, otherwise he may not stop. The Little Dotto Train used to go there but it’s no longer the case. You can also go by yourself if you rent a scooter or car, or hire a taxi. The site is at the end of a small cross road, about 700 meters from the main road, they have a small parking. The access is very easy to spot from the main road, look for the giant guira fruit!

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