Cuba: Baracoa
aracoa is the easternmost town in Cuna and was also where Christopher Columbus landed in 1492. The town was founded in 1512 and became the first capital of Cuba, up to this date known as Ciudad Primero (the capital was later moved to Santiago de Cuba). Baracoa played a significant role in the colonial period, serving as a strategic port for trade and defense against pirates and foreign powers, but Its isolation due to rugged terrain made it difficult to access by land (there was no road until 1960s), which actually helped preserve its unique culture and traditions over the centuries. The town is very picturesque with long Malecon, three coastal forts and a large hilltop fortress. But it’s also much less urban looking then Havana or Santiago, and has a more abandoned by time feel. Simple colorful houses, lots of friendly locals, no tourists, hardly any restaurants, but many local artists painting just in the streets.
