DAY 4: Playa Larga and Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata

• Breakfast included at the casa.

• Departure to Playa Larga - Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs) Approx. 4.5-hour drive.

• Lunch at a local paladar in Playa Larga or similar. (included)

• Meet your guide and a departure to Zapata Swamp, Ciénaga de Zapata, located on the Zapata Peninsula in the southern Matanzas province of Cuba. This area is over 6,000 km² and is the largest protected area in Cuba, and in the Caribbean. The swamp, known for its size and

diversity, was designated as a “Wetland of International Importance” in 2001. Home to many of Cuba’s endemic, enjoy an afternoon of incredible birding.

• Dinner on your own at one of the excellent local paladares.

• Overnight: Casa Zuleida & Vinola or similar in Playa Larga

 

ZAPATA’S BIRDS & HOTSPOTS

 

The Zapata Peninsula is indisputably the premier birdwatching area in Cuba, and possibly across the entire Caribbean region. It boasts nearly all of Cuba’s 27 endemic bird species, alongside numerous native species that include winter residents, transients, and several summer and spring visitors that breed in Cuba before migrating south in the fall. Over 260 bird species have been documented in this region.

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Bermejas: This area offers excellent opportunities to spot the Bee Hummingbird, Gray-fronted Quail-Dove, Key West Quail-Dove, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Cuban Parrot, Cuban Blackbird, Cuban Bullfinch, Loggerhead Kingbird, Bare-legged Owl, and Cuban Pygmy Owl. Additionally, there's a good chance to observe the threatened Cuban Parakeet, Fernandina’s Flicker, and Blue-headed Quail-Dove.

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Cueva de los Peces: Visitors here have the chance to see the beautiful Blue-headed Quail-Dove and other endemic species. The site is renowned for one of Cuba’s largest underwater saltwater caves, which offers swimming and snorkeling opportunities near the lovely reef just offshore.

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Los Hondones: A developing eco-village where the community practices organic farming and plants fruit trees beneficial to many endemic bird species such as the Cuban Parrot, Cuban Trogon, Cuban Tody, Great Lizard Cuckoo, and Cuban Emerald, as well as various migrant species. Evening birdwatching is particularly rewarding for sightings of the Stygian Owl, Bare-legged Owl, Cuban Pygmy Owl, and the Greater Antillean (Cuban) Nightjar.

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Las Salinas Trail: This trail features diverse habitats including low, dense forests, mangroves, marshlands, and open wetlands. It is an ideal location for observing the endemic Cuban Black Hawk, as well as numerous shorebirds, seabirds, and waterbirds such as the American Flamingo, Roseate Spoonbill, Reddish Egret, Wood Stork, and Clapper Rail.

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DAY 5:

• Early breakfast included at the casa

• Depart to Hondones-Bermejas both fauna refuges with national significance.

Meet with a local guide from the National Park office for possible observation of , and all four quail-dove species in special the beautiful and Nearctic warblers.

• Enjoy a brown bag lunch or in a local paladar and continue the excellent birding opportunities!

• Flexible afternoon of relaxing, hiking, swimming, or birding in Las Salinas, with the opportunity to see many wetland birds, special some targets such Cuban Black Hawk, American Flamingo, Wood Storks, and (Caribbean) Osprey.

• Dinner on your own in an excellent local paladares.


• Overnight: Casa Zuleida & Vinola or similar in Playa Larga

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HIGHLIGHT:  NAJASA, LA BALEN, AND CAYO COCO RESERVE BIRDS

 

 Located about 70 km southeast of Camagüey city, this is a protected area of open country with many palm groves and a mixture of semi-deciduous woods at the foothills of low elevations. About 120 species of birds have been reported: Plain Pigeon, Cuban Parakeet, Rose-throated Parrot, Bare-legged Owl, Cuban Pygmy-owl, Cuban Palm Crow, three species of woodpeckers and Giant Kingbird.

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The second-largest key in Cuba that has recently been connected to the mainland by    

a rock-fill road. Located 70 km northwest of Morón, and mostly covered by semi-deciduous forests; there are also mangroves, coastal shrubs, patches of grass, and lagoons. Over 200 species has been reported, including many Cuban rarities with several new birds to add to the list: Cuban Gnatcatcher, a race of Zapata Sparrow and Oriente Warbler.

 

Also, species such as: Western Spindalis and Cuban Bullfinch. There are many waders and one of the largest groups of American Flamingo. In the fall, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon are not uncommon. Piping Plover is a winter resident on these keys. 

 

DAY 6:

• Early breakfast included at the casa.


• Depart to Santo Tomas or La Turba, both fauna refuges with national significance, flexible itinerary is dependent on the access and birding opportunities suggested by the local guide of the National Park. In Santo Tomas a boat is necessary to observe some locations.

• Lunch: Enjoy a brown bag lunch or in a local paladar and continue the excellent birding opportunities!

• Flexible afternoon of birding at Soplillar, searching for Cuban Parrot, Parakeet, Cuban Nightjar, Fernandina´s Flicker and many other endemics.

• Fun nighttime owling in surrounding areas searching for Stygyan Owl and Barn owl (White winged)

• Dinner on your own at one of the excellent local paladar.

• Overnight: Casa Zuleida & Vinola or similar in Playa Larga.

 

DAY 7:

• Breakfast included at the casa.

• Depart Playa Larga for Trinidad (aprox. 3 hr. drive depending on stops along the way for sight-seeing, birding, or cultural history interpretation). Trinidad is a city with a great history and a cultural heritage UNESCO´s World Heritage Site

• Visit paladares for traditional cuisine and drinks like “canchanchara” in an environment typical of the Spanish colonial settlement as if it were frozen in time.

• Taking the south coast road with scenic views of the Caribbean Sea, stopping along the way for photo opts or just to daydream!

• A completely flexible relaxing day of touring.

• Lunch at excellent and typical local paladars along the way.

• Enjoy an afternoon of exploring Trinidad, learning the history of this ancient city. Maybe a visit to Ancon Beach (15 min. drive) for swimming and snorkeling.

• Dinner on your own at one of the excellent local paladares

• Overnight: Casa in Trinidad

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