Peninsula de Zapata (Cienaga de Zapata)

A haven for birders and nature lovers, the Peninsula de Zapata is a remote, sparsely populated area of Cuba with diverse landscapes and one of the largest wetlands in the Caribbean. The Cienaga de Zapata, or the Zapata Swamp as it is affectionately known, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to approximately 150 different species of birds, including rare bandicoots, waterhens, parrots, and heron. Crocodiles are also common. One part of the peninsula is a designated nature reserve, the Gran Parque Natural de Montemar, where visitors can see some of these creatures in their natural habitats.

At the mouth of the Bay of Pigs (Bahia de Cochinos) is Playa Giron, the famous site of the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion. Visitors can explore this fascinating history at the small Museo Giron. At the top of the Bay of Pigs, Playa Larga is home to a beautiful long beach backed by lush vegetation. Avid divers can explore the underwater wildlife at numerous dive sites here along the reef. Northeast of Playa Larga lies a large bird sanctuary and the International Bird Center (Centro Internacional de Aves).

Boca de Guama is the peninsula's tourist center and its main attraction is the Criadero de Cocodrilos, a crocodile farm. Nearby, on Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure Lake) lies Villa Guama, a tourist resort designed as an Indian Village that is only accessible by boat.