Travelling across Isla de la Juventud

The Cuban Island of Isla de la Juventud, also known as ‘Isle of Youth’ is the second largest Island of the country that offers great attractions for the tourists. The largest Island of the Canarreos Archipelago, this place is located towards the south of Havana and Pinar Del Rio. The Island is famous for its marble quarries, Citrus fruit gardens, white sandy beaches to the south, and black sandy beaches towards the north. The Island is blessed with lush green vegetation containing thick forest of tropical trees. The major chunk of the population of this Island is located towards the northern part. The Island has Cuba’s most important agricultural farmland and exports citrus fruits to different parts of the world.

Isla de la Juventud, The Pirat Island

In the past, the Island was also known as Parrot Island and was a famous hideout for pirates. This gave the Island other names such as Isle of Pirates and Isle of Treasure. The story of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson was inspired by the great pirates who used to visit this Island for fun and entertainment. The Island is also famous for its grapefruit plantations and cattle ranching. Tourists can visit Punta del Este caves to watch the amazing Indian cave paintings. There are close to 200 aboriginal pictograph's inside these caves that tourist can watch. The other interesting activities for tourists include bird watching, trekking, and caving also known as potholing.

The coral keys situated towards the eastern part of the Island allows tourists to watch iguanas, pelicans, and turtles. The main activities that tourists’ can enjoy on their visit to the Island are seafaris, swimming, scuba diving, and visit to the exquisite Punta Frances Beach. Tourists can also go for excursion trips to various places within the Island and can enjoy relaxing holidays in the palm-fringed beaches.

The other places of interests in and around the Island include Nueva Gerona, Cayo Largo, and Havana. The Island also offers some great scuba diving spots near the pirate coast drop-off at Punta Frances. There is an International scuba diving centre on this Island known as El Colony, which provides expert divers to help the tourists with their scuba diving activities. Tourists simply love the diving and seabed photography related activities. This centre also offers great medical facilities and has a large hyperbaric chamber with modern facilities.

Historical Model prison

The historical Model prison, now a museum is a great place for tourists to get a feel of the Cuban revolution. This is the place where several generations of the revolutionaries, who were part of the Cuban revolution were imprisoned. This list includes Fidel Castro and his companions, for their attack on the Moncada Garrison. Some other famous museums in the Island include the Casa Natal de Jesus and the Far-Museum El Abra. Major portion of this Island is flat land, and it has Cuba’s second largest swamp known as Cienaga de Lanier. This swamp also has a crocodile-breeding centre that has a wide variety of crocodiles and is a must visit for tourists.

The nightlife in the Island is also exciting with lots of music and dance. Tourists can watch cabaret shows in Caberet El Patio, Cine Caribe, and Calle 37. To watch the anemic version of a cabaret show, tourists can visit Calle 24. After the show, this place transforms into a hugely popular dance club. The Nuevo Café Virginia and Casa de las Mieles are popular places to hang out and gulp down a few drinks. Sometimes, the Nuevo Café Virginia also offers live music and dancing. There is another great place to hang out called Casa de la Cultura. This place is extremely popular for live music performances.