guanaroca lagoon

Be prepared to tip both the very informative guide and the (equally) informative, very hard-working boat rower. Shame that this wonderful nature reserve is way over-priced for Cubans.

The lagoon at Guanaroca is well worth a visit for the flamingos. Taxi fare is 20 CUC return plus 10 CUC entrance. After a short walk we came to the lagoon where we were taken by rowboat to the other end of the lagoon, from where we could view the flamingos without disturbing them.

We had a wonderful time walking through the woods, ( don't forget to spray yourself with deet. The mosquitoes are vicious) and seeing a range of birds. I wish I had a copy of the Birds of Cuba with me. We were then rowed round the lake with a really interesting and knowledgeable ranger and saw a whole range of birds, some at very close quarters. This was definitely a highlight made all the more pleasurable because there were very few tourists. My only concern is that once the crowds go there it will loose its charm and attractiveness.

We were here in mid afternoon, not the best time for birding, but saw an incredible number anyhow. We had a wonderfully knowledgable guide. She gave us the choice of the long or short trail to the lagoon ( short trail takes 5 min.) We chose the long one ( 30 min or so) and spotted many animals and birds as we made our way past the mangroves to the lagoon. There were some mosquitoes. Bring spray or wear long pants and sleeves if you wish. The row boat tour of the lagoon is meant for viewing flamingoes. Besides the flamingoes, as few other birds we spotted were white pelicans. anhinga, scarlet ibis. crested cormorants, black necked stilts. A very pleasant and informative outing.

We went early in the morning to avoid the crowds and ended up having a private canoe with the tour guide. Our motive was to see flamingos. We did see lots of them and other species. This was my first lagoon tour. I thought there would be more to see but thoroughly enjoyed it. Our guide was very professional and he spoke English very well. Its fantastic to see flamingos in their natural habitat. Worth checking it out, cost $10 CUC each.

We visited the lagoon with a private driver from Cienfuegos.Short guided tour take us to the lookout point first.....lovely view of the lake, mountains and surroundings, then walk down to the lagoon. We spotted on our way lots of birds, included a hummingbird. Learned about the plants,trees and birds.What a unique experience to see the flamingos, pelicans, cormorans, coco birds, herons in their own habitation. I would suggest to tip the guys who take you around with the boat in the heat, definitely deserve it.English and spanish guide available, entrance fee 10cuc.

Lagoon De las Salinas is on the road to the Rancho Luna Hotel. Best time to visit is in the morning. I found this excursion on the internet for the Cienfuegos area but no one in Trinidad knew of it and we asked everyone. For those traveling from Trinidad, if you want to do a day trip- I suggest you take the Viazul bus- (cost 6 CUC each way)– to Cienfuegos. From there, hire a taxi to take you the 20 minute ride. We paid our taxi 20 cuc to take us there and back- he waited for us at the canteen. (Cost to enter is 10 Cuc, and there is a small canteen for drinks and a light snack-use the bathroom here as there is not another one until you return from your excursion! This is a protected area for flora and fauna- quite a beautiful little walk for nature lovers. There is a very knowledgeable guide that takes you on a short 10 minute walk to see all of the various trees and many of the birds. You will see termite colonies, big ant colonies and the orange crabs here. Near the end there is a lookout tower- not too high to climb and you can take a few great photos of the surrounding area. You continue on to the canoes-where you have another guide. We chose the younger of the women in the boats and are glad we did- we were told by the other travelers later that we saw so much more than they did. Our guide rowed across the lagoon, changing direction when he saw the flamingos in the distance heading to a new spot and followed them there. The trip across the water to the flamingos only took about 1 hour- but can take much longer if you can’t find where they are.The water here is shallow- only 30 centimeters deep he said. No life jackets were provided- nor were they needed. You can’t see in the water as it is a very dirty brown-but the water is actually clean. It travels down from the mountains into the river and then the lagoon where the mangrove tree roots tint the water with their red die – and it ends up looking murky brown- but actually very safe if you were to fall in- you could still stand up- even though the whole thing looks really deep! They used to have a motor boat they used, but with the water so shallow, it filled with sediment and the motor broke. We traveled off to see the flamingos – got about 10 meters close to them before they started to move. There were only about 300- 400 hundred at this time of the year- they are just migrating in now. At the end of December they say there will be a few thousand of them!We saw really cute babies in the mix and watched them in fight a few times- it was a spectacular sight to see! On the way back across the lagoon, we spotted the snake bird- easy to see why they named it that. When it is in the water with just the head showing, it truly looks like a water snake! We also saw white and blue egrets on the way- as well as a few oysters that were clinging to the roots of the mangrove trees. My friend at first did not want to go with me but in the end was glad she did- she said she has never seen the flamingos so close up and so many at one time. Also- as I told her – it was a good business move- which is why I wanted her to come! No one in Trinidad knew about it- so since she is now independent as a tour guide- she can offer a day trip to see the flamingos and a city tour of Cienfuegos. It would be the first known tour of its kind for the hotels in Trinidad! I highly recommend this excursion! Make a day of it- Have the taxi driver take you on to the Thomas Acena cemetery on the way back to the city then drop you in the square to have lunch and shop. For those traveling from Trinidad- you can make your way back to the Viazul bus and return for 6 Cuc.

One of our highlights of Cuba! Great trip out on a lagoon to see birds in their true nature. Our experience was helped by having a very friendly and informative guide.Best to come first thing in the morning (arrive at 0800) and bring water to avoid burning.

This was a bit out of town, but we got a round trip taxi. After a short walk we got in these small boats. It was so hot, so make sure you have loads of water. We were taken across the lake and there were so many pink and white flamingos. You could even get out and walk towards them if you were really quiet. Stunning scenery and we were alone on the lake. Magical!!!

We took an old car, (taxi) out there, not too expensive and the driver waited for two hours for us. the guide who took us along the trail to the lagoon was very knowledgable about the birds and we even saw the National Bird, or at least most of us did. A small rowing boat takes you around the lagoon where you will see more birds and many many, very pink flamingos. I would suggest going as soon as they open, 8.00am,, because the crowds are lined up waiting to take the boats later. It was very hot so take a lot of water. For a photographer it was a place to get some beautiful bird pictures, particularly of the many flamingos.

Were left a little disappointed as the boat didn't go so close. If you do go, make sure you tell them you want to go into a smaller rowing boat.

This was an incredible experience that I cannot recommend highly enough. Honestly, this was one of those life changing things you do and cannot imagine having missed it. For 10 cuc you take a short guided walk where you are told about the flora and fauna and various species are pointed out. In the middle of the walk you climb a look out where you can see the lagoon, the city and the ocean. It is beautiful. Then you get to the boathouse. This is where the good stuff starts. You are taken in a row boat around the perimeter of the lagoon. You can see herons, pelicans, and of course flamingos. The lake is tranquil with the exception of the birds, sardines jumping, and of course the boat. The birds are beautiful. If you are twitcher, this is particularly incredible experience. Our guide took us back into the mangroves where were able to hold a small crab and enjoy the wildlife and scenery (not to mention a reprieve from the sun).

The walk through the nature reserve is great - and the trip on the row boat is beautiful too. Make sure you take some water though as it gets hot on the boat!

Went in July/August so not thousands of flamingos, but enough to make the trip worth while and very enjoyable. You get rowed around a mangrove lagoon by guides who are very good on birdlife, rowing up to flamingos who will let you get within 10 metres before they buzz off somewhere else, when the process repeats itself. Quite magical and very relaxing, one of the nicest things to do in Cienfuegos

Go there very early and you'll be suprised by nature. First you take a walk with guide and see birds and crabs and other things. Then there is a beautiful lagoon where you can spot flamingo's and you go by boat through the mangrove. Amazing :) Also take your musquito repelliant because there are so much....