The Isle of Youth
The Isle of Youth also known as Pinos is the biggest island on the territory of Cuba. Throughout the centuries it used to be a pirates’ shelter, a treasure island, a dark dungeon for the Cuban revolutionaries – now simply abandoned prisons. Due to its isolated location, the Isle of Youth served as an exile for Jose Marti and later in history for Fidel Castro.
This is the most secluded place in Cuba. There still aren’t that many tourists here so that you could dip into the life of the biggest Caribbean country 20-30 years ago – a complete Socialism.
All the restaurants and bars there are state-owned so the prices are exceptionally low but so is the service. The island itself is 2500 sq m and is situated 167 m south of Havana and the Caribbean Sea.
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In 1987 the island was called Pinyas /pinas is a coniferous tree resembling a pine tree/.
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It was renamed in honour of all of the students who came here on a brigade from abroad to work in citrus plantations. Actually, in the past the island was also called The Citrus Garden of Cuba. Eventually, a strong hurricane destroyed everything.
The locals told me that a lot of Bulgarian engineers took part in the construction of irrigation systems and several dam lakes here that still exist. The interesting part of the island in my view is its south wild one which, however, is accessible only through a special permit document.
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To the south, you will find Punta Frances – an untouched reservation, a paradise for divers and nature lovers. On the way, you will see a crocodile-breeding farm. At the southeast end of the Isle of Youth there are also interesting caves.
You can reach the Isle of Youth eitherа by plane from Havana, or on a ferry from Batabano.
