Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes - Revision history

EHPorner: /* Get in */

2013-04-22T21:32:01Z

‎Get in

209.52.101.96: /* History */

2011-02-22T00:23:13Z

‎History

98.245.116.81 at 23:12, 31 January 2010

2010-01-31T23:12:48Z

ClausHansen at 22:42, 12 December 2009

2009-12-12T22:42:03Z

Texugo at 06:03, 5 September 2009

2009-09-05T06:03:02Z

Texugo: removing some images, esp. of people and hotels-- this page has too many images

2009-09-05T06:01:03Z

removing some images, esp. of people and hotels-- this page has too many images

Chapayev at 04:36, 24 November 2008

2008-11-24T04:36:45Z

Chapayev at 04:32, 24 November 2008

2008-11-24T04:32:29Z

Chapayev at 04:31, 24 November 2008

2008-11-24T04:31:05Z

Chapayev at 04:30, 24 November 2008

2008-11-24T04:30:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:32, 22 April 2013
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	==Get in==		==Get in==
		+	From Havana, take the Carretera Nacional (A-1) eastbound until Km 270 (carretera a Manicaragua). The park perimeter starts approximately 50 Kms from the highway. From Trinidad, look for the Topes de Collante turn off from the coastal road (approximately 7 Kms to the West of town) directly following the "punto de control". Be prepared for some treacherous roads during either entry.

	==Fees/Permits==		==Fees/Permits==

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 ===History===
-Che's rebels hid in the Escambray mountains during the revolution. After the revolution (1961-1969) CIA-sponsored counter-revolutionaries (<i>bandidos</i>) hid in the same mountains. The Museo de la Lucha Contra Los Bandidos, a museum in [[Trinidad_%28Cuba%29|Trinidad]], documents the latter fight.
+Anti-Batista rebels hid in the Escambray mountains during the revolution. After the revolution (1961-1969) CIA-sponsored anti-Castro rebels (<i>bandidos</i>) hid in the same mountains. The Museo de la Lucha Contra Los Bandidos, a museum in [[Trinidad_%28Cuba%29|Trinidad]], documents the latter fight.
 ===Landscape===

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 This large reservoir is on the north side of the national park. The nearest town is Manicaragua.
-The Hotel Hanabanilla offers hiking, horseback riding, boating, and fishing. The hotel is popular
+The Hotel Hanabanilla offers hiking, horseback riding, boating, and fishing. The hotel is popular with Cubans; few Europeans or North Americans stay there.
 [[Image:Atahalaya.jpg|thumb|350px|The trailhead to hike to Atahalaya Hill.]]

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 ==Get out==
-{{IsPartOf|}}
+{{IsPartOf|Central Cuba}}
 {{outline}}
 {{parkguide}}

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 ==Get around==
 The main road starts at a junction four kilometers west of Trinidad. The road to Topos de Collantes is about fifteen kilometers and is amazingly steep. It is paved well (by Cuban standards).
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 Other features include the Jardin de Gigantes ("Giants Garden") and a short hike to Salto Vega Grande ("Vega Grande Falls').
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 [[Image:HanabanillaPath.jpg|thumb|350px|An employee at the Hotel Hanabanilla, Cuba, walks to work.]]
 ===Villa Guajimico===

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 The 7-kilometer (roundtrip) hike to the 75-meter Salto de Caburní ("Caburní Falls") is well worth the effort (6.50 CUC fee at the gate). You can swim in the large pool below the falls. The trail starts east of the Kurhotel.
 Another good hike is the Sendero La Batata, which is about six kilometers (roundtrip) to a cave with an underground creek. You can swim in the cave. Bring sandals for climbing around in the cave, unless the soles of your feet are tough! The trail starts at the Casa de Café. The fee is 3.50 CUC.
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 [[Image:Kurhotel.jpg|thumb|350px|The Kurhotel's stairway.]]
 ===Parque Codina===
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 ===Embalse Hanabanilla===
 This large reservoir is on the north side of the national park. The nearest town is Manicaragua.

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 ===Hiking and Running===
-Topes de Collantes has excellent hiking. However, you are required to hire a guide for some hikes. Other hikes you are required to go as part of a group, as part of a group tour, and not just show up asking to join a group. The Cuban government doesn't want tourists wandering around the countryside alone. Also, hiking is not a part of Cuban culture. Cubans like waterfalls and viewponts, but expect to drive to the scenic spot and then sit around drinking beer while their kids play in the water. The idea of walking for enjoyment is incomprehensible to them. Running long distances in the mountains is unimaginable. Don't expect to go hiking the way you would in a Canadian national park.
+Topes de Collantes has excellent hiking. However, you are required to hire a guide for some hikes. Other hikes you are required to go as part of a group, as part of a group tour, and not just show up asking to join a group. The Cuban government doesn't want tourists wandering around the countryside alone. Also, hiking is not a part of Cuban culture. Cubans like waterfalls and viewponts, but expect to drive to the scenic spot and then sit around drinking beer while their kids play in the water. The idea of walking for enjoyment is incomprehensible to them. Running long distances in the mountains is unimaginable. Don't expect to go hiking the way you would in a Canadian national park. If you want go trail running, bring a pair of running shoes to give to your guide.
 ===Fishing and Boating===

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 The other place to stay is the Villa Caburní. These are twelve nice houses. The price is the same as the hotels, but you get the entire house -- two bedrooms, kitchen, etc. If you have a family and bring your own food this is the best deal.
-All three hotels are tourist-only (no Cubans allowed). There are no <i>casas particulares</i> and nowhere for Cubans to stay.
+There are no <i>casas particulares</i>.
 ===Camping===

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 ==Eat==
 *<eat name="Mi Retiro" alt="" address="" directions="on the main road, three kilometers south of the Kurhotel" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">is a restaurant.</eat>
 ==Drink==
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 Before the revolution massive construction was going on to build a huge resort complex at Topes de Collantes. The massive Kurhotel  was finished in 1954, and has 210 rooms, 16 suites, a spa, a restaurant, five gyms, a cabaret, and a thermal swimming pool, and a television station. After the revolution the Kurhotel was used for tuberculosis patients. It's currently used for other medical patients and isn't open to tourists.
-Many other hotels were built, and concrete shells of even more hotels can be seen around the area. Hotel Los Helechos ("the ferns") is where the tourists stay, and many tour buses arrive each day. The hotel is rated 3 stars. The hotel has a bar, a restaurant (substandard and overpriced), a small shop, a swimming pool (big, cold, and be thankful that it's cold because it doesn't look like it has much chlorine), and a discotheque. The disco is where the local Cubans hang out, and the music is awful Cuban techno-rap. Bring a CD with dance music you like.
+Many other hotels were built, and concrete shells of even more hotels can be seen around the area. Hotel Los Helechos ("the ferns") is where the tourists stay, and many tour buses arrive each day. The hotel is rated 3 stars. The hotel has a bar, a restaurant (substandard and overpriced), a small shop, a swimming pool (big, cold, and be thankful that it's cold because it doesn't look like it has much chlorine), and a discotheque. The disco is where the local Cubans hang out, and the music is awful Cuban techno-rap. Bring a CD with dance music you like. Prices are 50 CUC for a double room during high season, 40 CUC for a single during high season, 45 CUC for a double during low season, and 35 CUC for a single during low season.
-The two other hotels are the Villa Caburní and the Hotel Los Helechos.
+The other place to stay is the Villa Caburní. These are twelve nice houses. The price is the same as the hotels, but you get the entire house -- two bedrooms, kitchen, etc. If you have a family and bring your own food this is the best deal.
 All three hotels are tourist-only (no Cubans allowed). There are no <i>casas particulares</i> and nowhere for Cubans to stay.