Baracoa - Cuba's First City
Tourist Attractions
The streets and most of the buildings along the road from the Baracoa airport are sorely in need of repair and might lead visitors to a false conclusion about the rest of the rest of the city. I found the buildings and streets of Baracoa’s small historic center to be in a relatively good shape. However, access to some of the nearby historic sites, beaches, rivers and other natural resources require the full attention of the driver especially if he is not familiar with the roads and particularly during one of Baracoa’s frequent afternoon downpours.
The eastern edge of the city is separated from the Bahia de Miel by a low concrete wall, called the malecon. Avenidos Malecon, the name of the seaside boulevard, buzzes with pedestrian traffic as well as automobile, bus, horse drawn carriages, and other means of transportation. The malecon is similar to the ones in Havana and Cienfuegos, but not as picturesque in part because of damage still evident from Hurricane Ike which hit the island in 2008.
At the southern end of Avenidos Malecon is a small park with a tented bar where visitor can enjoy local refreshments, enjoy a breeze from the ocean and listen to live 
music performed by local musicians.
Nearby is a carved bust of Christopher Columbus close to the spot where locals say he landed in 1492 and subsequently placed a cross in the soil. In the same vicinity of Columbus’ bust is Fuerte (Fort) Matachin, the second of four forts built to protect Baracoa from attacks from pirates 
and corsairs. Built in the mid-18th century, the fort has served many purposes over the years including housing for the homeless during the pseudo-Republic era.
Today Museum Matachin is home to Columbus’ journal and displays a selection of polimitas, an endemic but endangered vividly colored tree snail that is frequently fashioned into jewelry and sold to tourists by many locals. The museum also presents a brief history of Baracoa including its indigenous culture and significant events in the region. Standing in a nearby park is the bust of Antonio Maceo, the Cuban independence fighter who was also known as the Bronze Titan because of his mixed heritage.
Parque de la
Independencia (Independence Park) in the historic center of the city is where locals hang out or gather protest various issues. Facing the park is Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary) originally built in 1512 and widely recognized as the oldest Christian church in the Americas. Prior to the current multi-year restoration, the church also housed the Cruz de la Parra reputed to have been 
planted on the city bay by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Carbon dating confirms that the cross is constructed of indigenous wood that fits the timeframe that Columbus first set foot on Cuban soil making it the oldest Catholic relic in the Americas.
Directly in front of the church is a bust of Chief Hatuey, leader of the resistance when Diego de Vasquez first came to the area. Hatuey was eventually captured and burned at the stakes by Spaniards.
Beside the church is the Casa de la Trova, a popular nightspot where tourists and locals dance the salsa to traditional Cuban music performed by local bands.
More tourist attractions
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