Matanzas is in Cuba. It is the closest town to Varadero resort. It is a nice small town and there are amazingly few tourists considering that it is basically next to Varadero. If you get bored between Varadero hotels then visit this little town to see the real Cuba.
Girón, www.giron.co.cu is the local periodical.
Viazul www.viazul.com runs buses from Havana and Varadero three times a day. There are several trains to Havana, Santa Clara and Camagüey, as well as overnight service on alternate days to Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus and Santiago de Cuba. The Hershey electric trains between Matanzas and Havana are very dilapidated and are not recommended except for the most die-hard train enthusiasts.
Cycling: For those who take cycling seriously, a cycling tour in this area would ideally begin in Havana and end in Varadero. The optimal is to take the Via Blanca highway but not up to Matanzas City. Instead take a small road to the right about 5 km after the bridge over the Bacunayagua River and descend till the Yumurí Valley.
Bird watching: The Yumurí Valley offers some good areas for bird watching, with best population density by the trees next to the heights that border the Valley.
Fluvial Tours: Although not located by the city center, the River Canímar, the most copious of all 4 rivers that opens at the Matanzas Bay, is located at a few kilometers away from the city. It is a navigable river for smaller draught boats. Navigation begins by the bridge that crosses the Canímar River, by the road that links Matanzas and Varadero, towards rustic restaurant by the river and covers some 13 km. During this trajectory, views are quite beautiful with its best sites being those by the road that communicates Matanzas and Varadero where the river meanders can be observed. At the end of the course there is a line of Real Palm trees leading to the restaurant. In this site besides having lunch, you can take horseback tours. The fluvial trips can be taken in boat either ways or half the trip by bus and return by navigating the river.
Boats are roofless so it is recommended to take a raincoat and umbrella to protect you from the sun or casual rain.
Hotel Playa Girón The Playa Giron Diving Center offers services from the shore but does not provide boat transportation since the diving sites are less than 80 meters from the shore.
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