Indigenous people, Spaniards, Africans, Dutch, North Americans, Japanese, and Caribbeans have accompanied the people of the Isle of Youth in building their culture and history. In island folklore, piracy is always highlighted, along with treasures hidden in swamps, mountains, and remote caves. Legends revolve around its charcoal burners and fishermen from Mallorca, Galicia, and the caimaneros of El Sur.
Conquered by the Spanish Admiral Christopher Columbus on June 13, 1494, who named it San Juan Evangelista, it is said to have been the place where he spent the most time during his voyages to the New World. Before that, it was home to the Siboney Indians, who left behind some of the most important rock art in all of Cuba, especially the Caves of Punta del Este, considered the Sistine Chapel of Caribbean Rock Art.
It is also known as "The Island of a Thousand Names," as it has been given many diverse epithets: Island of the Evangelist, Santiago, Santa María, Colonia Reina Amalia, Camarcó, Ahao, De Pinos, De los Piratas, Del Tesoro, De Cotorras, Siberia de Cuba, and the Island of 500 Murders, among others.
Currently, and since 1978, it is known as the Isle of Youth, in recognition of the thousands of young Cubans who studied and worked there for the development of this land.
Places of Interest
Sea turtle hatcheries
Located in Cayo Largo del Sur, it is the nesting site for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). Every year, these reptiles use the beaches and lower dunes in the area to build their nests and lay their eggs. Environmental education activities have been carried out here with vacationers for over 20 years.
Finlay Cave
It is located in the Caleta Grande cove, on the southwestern coast of the Isle of Youth. Explored by the Alejandro de Humboldt group in 1977, it is said to have historically been home to the Siboney Indians, who left behind the most important samples of rock art in all of Cuba.
Cave of Punta del Este
It is a national monument located 59 km southeast of Nueva Gerona. It has been called the "Sistine Chapel" of Caribbean indigenous art. The caves are home to the pictographs of the Siboney Indians and contain significant examples of early pre-Columbian art.
Cave of the Indian
Located on the slope of Sierra Las Casas in Nueva Gerona. It features a single entrance 7.50 meters wide and 2 meters high. The cave is a popular tourist attraction and can be accessed by boat tour. It is considered a site of archaeological significance; despite being relatively small, it ranks among the most important caves in Cuba.
Lighthouse Carapachibey
It is located in the Carapachibey cove, to the south. It is the tallest lighthouse of its kind in Cuba and also one of the tallest in Latin America (from the base), standing at over 60 meters in height. The lighthouse emits flashes every 7.5 seconds and can be seen from 17.5 miles around; it operates automatically, turning on at nightfall and turning off when sunlight is detected.
Cocodrilo Village
It's a peculiar and remote place worth visiting to get to know its no more than 400 inhabitants. Formerly called Jacksonville, it's a Cuban village with an English past. It's the most important fishing settlement in the special municipality, and its cultural identity is a local heritage.
Playa Bibijagua
It is the only beach in Cuba with entirely natural black sands. The particular color is due to the erosive action of the winds and waves of the sea on the rocks of the adjacent black marble mountains. It is one of the most frequented beaches by the residents of Isla de la Juventud and its visitors.
"Presidio Modelo"
Currently, it operates as a museum, but the building was constructed as a prison in 1926 and functioned as such until its closure in 1967. It is famous for having been the place where Fidel Castro and other leaders were imprisoned after the assault on the Moncada Barracks in 1953. Today, the Modelo Prison showcases the history of the prison and its role in Cuban history.
"Sierra la Cañada"
It is a popular mountain range for hiking and enjoying nature. The sierra boasts a wide variety of flora and fauna, including endemic species such as the almiquí and the green woodpecker. The sierra is also home to several caves and underground rivers that can be explored.
Cayo largo del sur
A popular tourist destination due to its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, located in the Los Canarreos Archipelago. It has a perfectly moderated tropical climate, characterized mainly by warm temperatures, with pleasant east winds predominating. It boasts a robust infrastructure of around 30 enviable diving spots.
"Presidio Modelo"
Currently, it operates as a museum, but the building was constructed as a prison in 1926 and functioned as such until its closure in 1967. It is famous for having been the place where Fidel Castro and other leaders were imprisoned after the assault on the Moncada Barracks in 1953. Today, the Modelo Prison showcases the history of the prison and its role in Cuban history.
"Sierra la Cañada"
It is a popular mountain range for hiking and enjoying nature. The sierra boasts a wide variety of flora and fauna, including endemic species such as the almiquí and the green woodpecker. The sierra is also home to several caves and underground rivers that can be explored.
