Topes de Collantes, Cuba

Enjoy Cuba's natural paradise in its purest form at Topes de Collantes and visit its many attractions

Topes de Collantes
© Guillaume Baviere

The Parque Natural Topes de Collantes is located in the Sierra del Escambray, has an altitude of 800 metres above sea level. Pico San Juan is the highest peak, at 1140 metres. It has a protected natural landscape of outstanding beauty and a great scientific value for botany and ecology. It is home to numerous endemic species of flora and fauna such as pine, bamboo or eucalyptus forests.

Fulgencio Batista founded Topes de Collantes in 1937 and ordered the construction of Trinidad road. The area was the scene of conflicts at different times, it served as a refuge for the rebel troops under the direction of Che Guevara during the struggle against Batista and it was a major factor in the uprising of Fidel Castro's opponents.

Index

What are the Best Plans to Make in Topes de Collantes?
How to Get to Topes de Collantes?

The Best Plans to Make in Topes de Collantes

Topes de Collantes, Trinidad
© Wilder Méndez

Parque Natural Topes de Collantes
© Guillaume Baviere

One of the most visited attractions of Topes de Collantes is its spa. It is a tourist destination for rest and health, located in the heart of the Sierra del Escambray, where patients come for anti-stress treatments, rehabilitation, massages, etc.

Although without any doubt, Topes de Collantes is known for its mountain routes. The Sendero Vegas Grandes is the most popular hike among visitors to the area. It runs through coffee plantations for about two and a half kilometres, seeing traditional houses, cliffs and finishing at Salto del Carbuní, a spectacular waterfall where you can have a refreshing drink at the end of the walk. Continuing with the theme of the area of Topes de Collantes, you can travel the Ruta Gruta La Batata, a route that will leave you speechless with the flora and fauna. Although the best is at the end, a cave in which there are different natural pools where you can bathe and enjoy the healing properties of these waters.

Another route you can take is to Hacienda Codina, a wonderful ranch that will surprise you with its medicinal mud baths. Along the way you will discover its bamboo forests, the Cueva del Altar and the Isla de los Enamorados, among others, and all this finished in a natural viewpoint from which you can observe the whole Valle de los Ingenios, an impressive sugar production area.

You can also visit two museums in the area: the Museo del Café and the Museo de Arte Cubano Contemporáneo. In the first museum you can visit an exhibition on the history of coffee growing and taste its specialties. The second has a valuable collection of more than 60 artworks from the avant-garde of the eighties.

How to get to Topes de Collantes?

The best way to get to the Parque Natural Topes de Collantes is from Trinidad, which is a little less than 30 kilometers away. If you go by private car, the best thing to do is to go by the Circuito Sur. However, the best option is to go by taxi and have them pick you up once you have finished.

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