Guasasa, Cuba

 

While staying in the town of Playa Larga, Cuba, a beach resort at the northern end of The Bay of Pigs, our guides took us on a trip to the small town of Guasasa. Guasasa sits on the Caribbean coast, about 27 Km (14 miles) east of Playa Girón.

The road to Guasasa travels along the coast, winding between the sea and a swampy area. It is a well tended dirt road. The swampiness is caused by underground streams that also create cenotes. Along the way, we stopped at a beach at the end of a beautiful inlet.

At the beach, we met a family. They had come down in a tractor and trailer, and set up tarps and blankets on the sand. They brought a full days worth of things to do, and also had a fire going. In addition to swimming, the were fishing for their dinner.

 

 

Coconut shell holding bait

Hermit crab is used for bait

fan coral

Guasasa is a very small village sitting on the Caribbean coast with a rocky cove along the water.

At one time many residents worked converting wood to charcoal. Today, many work away from the village, and also as fishermen. The homes in Guasasa range from what look like shacks, to some pretty nice developed houses.

On our way back to Playa Larga, we stopped at Cueva de los Pesces, a cenote on the shore of the Bay of Pigs. There is a nice park there, with full facilities, along with the chance to swim in the cave.

Guasasa is about as far from a tourist site as you can get. There is a casa particular in town, but it is not listed on the most commonly used websites. But having an afternoon to spend in a place that is not looking for tourists was a great experience.