CUBA'S BELLAMAR & SATURNO CAVES
BELLAMAR CAVE IN CUBA
On the way to the world-famous Varadero beach are two of the largest and most visited caves in Cuba. On the way to Varadero from Havana, about three miles before reaching the city of Matanzas, is the large Bellamar cave complex. Discovered in 1861, a few years before the start of Cuba’s Ten Years War, the caves of Bellamar are isolated and full of marine fossils, stalactites and stalagmites which are millions of years old and extend for over ten miles.
SATURNO CAVE
Continuing your trip to Varadero will take you past Varadero Airport, which is on the same road as Saturno Cave, also known in Matanzas as la cueva del cepero. Much smaller than the Bellamar cave complex, Saturno cave has stalactites and stalagmites, both in the open and submerged. The temperature in the cave is much cooler than the outside air, and the cave is a great place to snorkel and see some unique Cuban marine life. The light that penetrates the caves creates a magical effect in blue and amber tones. If you want to avoid the crowds I suggest visiting in the early morning hours, or in the late afternoon.
Matanzas Province in Cuba is not just Varadero beach, besides the caves of Bellamar and Saturno, the southern end of the province is home to the infamous Bay of Pigs, which has some of the best SCUBA diving and fly fishing in the Caribbean.
See you in Cuba!
By Dina GomGar