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Matanzas is the second largest province of Cuba, but is mainly known for its 22km stretch of immaculate white Varadero beaches. Over 17.000 hotel rooms are located on the long thin peninsula that stretches out between the Bay of Cárdenas and the Straits of Florida. If you are into an all-inclusive holiday, this would be your pick. Known as Cuba´s most beautiful beaches, but hardly representative of Cuba and Cuban life. If you want to get a taste of the real Cuba, both Matanzas and Cárdenas are well worth a visit.
www.househostelcuba.com propose you an unforgettable route from your hostel or private house in Matanzas, Cuba.
Matanzas is a charming, lay back colonial city founded in the 17th century at the Plaza de la Vigía, literally ‘lookout’, referring to the constant surveillance which was needed to protect the city against pirates and smugglers. As a result from the prosperous times brought by the sugar mills beginning 19th century followed by the railway in 1843, you can find some excellent old colonial buildings around the city´s principal harbor and square. The name Matanzas (slaughter) supposedly derives from the slaughtering of numerous pigs to feed the Spanish and Dutch fleet during the 1628 attack in the Bahía de Matanzas. However, the name could also refer to the killing of the natives who lived there before the arrival of the colonists.
 Matanzas is known as the Ciudad de los Puentes (City of Bridges); the rivers Yumurí and San Juan flow through the city, splitting it in parts connected by 21 bridges. Matanzas is also known for its musical history being the birthplace of both rumba and danzón; in the northern barrio (neighborhood) of Versalles, freed slaves developed what is nowadays known as rumba out of the ancient african drum patterns. And based on the same five-stroke rhythm pattern, the danzón was invented.
On Cárdenas Bay you will find the other main town of the province: Cárdenas. Cárdenas is sometimes called the 'City of Firsts' because so many significant events happened here first. Notable example: this is where the Cuban flag waved for the first time. It also had the first alcohol refinery, the first electricity plant and the first gynecological hospital in Cuba. Once one of the most important cities of Cuba, thanks to its wealth drawn from sugar, Cárdenas now is a quiet, typical working Cuban town, but with a very attractive colonial architecture left over from the glory days: tall windows, high ceilings, tiled floor and interior gardens.
At the south of the province you can explore many eco-activities, for example in and around the Ciénaga de Zapata, the largest wetland reserve in the Caribbean, which is a mecca for bird-watchers, hikers, fishers, divers and nature lovers.
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