Part 19 Cuba - Trip to Guardalavaca and Overnight at Leonardo's 2020
Guardalavaca is located in the municipality of Banes and is Cuba's third largest tourist destination.
It was one of the first ports Columbus saw, and he was amazed. A haven for corsairs and pirates, the location was ideal for smuggling, especially goods from Europe in exchange for cattle hides.
Guardalavaca Beach
Guardalavaca Beach
© Jack K.....ski
One of the legends explaining the territory's name is connected to this activity. It says that the natives would shout "¡Guarda la vaca!" ("Save the cow!") when they saw marauders approaching from the sea.