“TO CIENAGA DE ZAPATA“ Tour

“TO CIENAGA DE ZAPATA“ Tour

The Ciénaga de Zapata National Park is one of Cuba's most important and biodiverse ecosystems. Located in the southern region of the island, in the province of Matanzas, this park covers more than 4,000 km² of wetlands, mangroves, swamps and tropical forests. It is one of Cuba's largest protected areas and has great national and international relevance. The Zapata Swamp is home to an impressive diversity of flora and fauna, including endemic and endangered species. Among its inhabitants are the Cuban crocodile, the manjuarí and a great variety of aquatic birds such as flamingos, ducks and herons. The park is also home to important aquatic ecosystems, which play a crucial role in the conservation of the region's environmental balance.

This ecosystem, in addition to being a refuge for numerous species, has great historical and cultural value. In the area there are vestiges of the guerrilla struggle that took place during the Cuban Revolution, and various points of historical interest that attract tourists and scholars alike. It is also a highly appreciated place for ecotourism, due to the possibility of activities such as bird watching, hiking, boat rides through the canals and explorations in the area of the Bay of Pálpite.

The Ciénaga de Zapata National Park was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2000, standing out not only for its biodiversity, but also for its global ecological value. The effort for its conservation is essential to protect one of the most valuable and best preserved ecosystems in Cuba and the Caribbean.

Services included in the tour:

• Pick up at the client's hotel or rental house at the indicated time.
• Round trip transfer service by car, classic car or microbus (all with air conditioning) on the route from Varadero to Ciénaga de Zapata with time available to customers for a total of up to 10 hours.
• The clients can choose according to their own interests, the places of tourist, social and local interest in Ciénaga de Zapata.
• Professional driver with general information service in Spanish, with the possibility of basic communication in English.
• Fuel service for the whole program.
• Clients can transport up to one 50-pound suitcase and one personal item.
• At the end of the afternoon, return trip to Varadero (Note: at the clients' choice, they can do the whole excursion and finish in the area of Ciénaga de Zapata if they plan to stay in that destination for several days).

Services not included in the tour:

• Entrance fees to sites of tourist interest to be visited by clients.
• Lunch services (meals, drinks and snacks) in local restaurants.
• Local tour guide service at the sites of interest.
• Other services such as souvenir sales, excursions and local tours, etc.
• Gratuities and tips.
• General travel and health insurance, always in charge of the clients, which must be contracted with international insurance companies before arrival in Cuba.

Important information:

• Departure days of the tour: DAILY.
• Types of cars available for the tour: Cars: 1-3 pax / Classic American cars: 1-3 pax / Minibus: 4-15 pax.
• Distance traveled by car on the tour (round trip): Approximately 325 kms.
• Approximate duration of the tour by car (round trip): 5.10 hours approx.
• Time of end of the tour and beginning of the return trip to Varadero: 16.00 hrs.
• Pick up point: Client's place of lodging (rental house or hotel).
• Important note: Entrance fees to museums, sites of interest and tourist attractions, restaurants (meals), bars (drinks) and tips, among others, are not included in the price of the tour and require an extra charge to be decided by the clients.