Day 8: Wednesday, February 5 – Playa Larga to Cienfuegos
0700 – Depart by bus for Reserva de Bermejas
We visit one more corner of magical Zapata National Park on an early morning trail in the company of an informative park ranger. Walking early allows a stronger possibility of experiencing fun bird activity, which typically quiets down significantly later in the morning. This is an easy route through a type of subtropical forest we’ve not yet seen. It’s a showcase for Cuba’s colorful endemic birds, and it’s likely that we’ll see several species, possibly even the world’s smallest bird – the bee hummingbird.
1000 – Depart for Cienfuegos
1130 – Arrive Cienfuegos
Later this morning we arrive in Cienfuegos, a city with a UNESCO-listed colonial core set on one of Cuba’s larger bays.
1500 – Depart for the Cienfuegos Bay Walk
Following time for lunch, we start today’s second walk from Parque José Martí, lined with impressive grouping of restored 19th century monuments, including Tomas Terry Theatre, Museó Historico, and Cuba’s only triumphal arch, evidence that Cienfuegos is Cuba’s solitary French-founded city. Our route takes us along the Malecón, with nearly non-stop views of the harbor, to Punta Gorda, a narrow spit of land poking south into Cienfuegos Bay.
1800 – Return to hotel at end of walk
[This was changed. Rather than returning to our hotel, the walk ended at the Palacio de Valla, a Cuban entertainment venue on the Bay of Cienfuegos. We had a couple of drinks and listened to a band. Then got on the bus and headed for a seafood restaurant.]
1900 – Depart for dinner at a local restaurant
A short rest stop on the way to Cienfuegos, then into the city
The afternoon walk along the Malecón to the Palacio de Valle for entertainment and a small drink
And off to dinner in a seafood restaurant
Tomorrow's schedule, and the view from the rooftop bar of the hotel
