The Zapata Peninsula, one of the most important ecosystems in Cuba and the largest swampland preserve in the Caribbean islands, is in southern Matanzas Province. It contains exceptional species of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic.
The Montemar Great Natural Park is located on the peninsula. Here, you will find beaches, woods, mangrove swamps, rivers, lakes, flooded caves which open on the sea, natural pools and a seabed of particular beauty. In short, it's an ideal place for day and night scuba diving by both beginners and experienced divers, including the exploration of marine caves.
One of the park's main attractions is its system of caves, that extends along the coast for 70 km (over 43 miles). Some of the roofs of these caves have fallen in, turning them into semicircular lakes called cenotes.
The park is also an excellent place in which to go hiking, horseback riding and boating. In addition, many animals live here, and the international flyways of several kinds of birds go over the park, so you can see both native and migratory species.
While in you're in the area, Guama -a restored Taino Indian village on Treasure Lake- the crocodile breeding center and the Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs) Museum are absolute musts.
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