About Hotel Gaviota Villa Maria La Gorda

Guide to Guanahacabibes Peninsula

At the westernmost tip of Cuba, in the Pinar del Rio province, you can find one of the most virgin natural zones in the Cuban archipelago. The Guanahacabibes Peninsula region, due to its treasures of flora, fauna, and for its sea and terrestrial landscapes, has been a Biosphere Reserve as declared by UNESCO since 1987.

On the coast of the "Reserva de la Biosfera Península de Guanahacabibes" are many beautiful white sandy beaches. And off the coast are extensive coral reefs. All of which are some of the most pristine in the world. Visitors are able to experience dozens of dive sites off the southern shores, from Maria La Gorda International Diving Centre, and now dozens more off the northern shores, from the new Cabo San Antonio International Diving Centre.

Birds like Cartacuba, Tocororo, Sijú platanero, Zunzuncito, among many others, are to be found in a migration corridor of more than 50 species flying from north to south and vice versa, and stopping in the coastal lagoons and wetlands.

Guanahacabibes also supports 35 species of reptiles, and is an important habitat for iguanas, majaes and other reptiles.

N.B. Biosphere reserves are sites recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme which innovate and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable human development. The 121,572 hectare "Reserva de la Biosfera Península de Guanahacabibes" has within it the 39,901 hectare national park since 2001 "Parque Nacional Península de Guanahacabibes" and the two strictly protected nature reserves since 1963 "Cabo Corrientes" and "El Veral".