National park · Cuba
Alejandro de Humboldt National ParkParque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt
Enter Alejandro de Humboldt National Park for a day hike: pay the entry fee (≈50 CUP), take the Pico Turquino trail (≈10 km (6.2 mi), moderate) in the dry season (Nov–Apr) and stay in Baracoa or Guantánamo for the night.Enter Alejandro de Humboldt National Park for a day hike: pay the entry fee (≈50 CUP), take the Pico Turquino trail (≈6.2 mi (10 km), moderate) in the dry season (Nov–Apr) and stay in Baracoa or Guantánamo for the night.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
7,360 km² (2,842 sq mi)2,842 sq mi (7,360 km²)
approximate
Established
1996
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 11Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…US State DepartmentUS citizens and US residents (US persons) may not travel …No cards
- Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
- Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
- Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
- Cuba ↗US State Department: Level 2, exercise increased caution (in place since 2025; the US Embassy reported another island-wide blackout on 18 September 2026). UK FCDO: against all but essential travel (updated 25 September 2026). Canada: avoid non-essential travel (updated 28 September 2026). Australia: reconsider your need to travel. Read your own government's advice and check your insurance still covers Cuba before booking (checked 2026-09).
- Cuba ↗Check entry rules for your passport with the Cuban embassy or official sources; most visitors need an e-visa (formerly the tourist card) and the online D'Viajeros form, and requirements change.
- Cuba ↗US citizens and US residents (US persons) may not travel to Cuba as tourists. The trip must fit one of 12 OFAC general-licence categories: family visits; official government business; journalism; professional research and meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, competitions and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; private foundations and research institutes; information and informational materials; and certain export transactions. Most independent travellers use 'support for the Cuban people', which needs a full-time schedule of activities with Cuban people and private businesses (casas, paladares, private guides), and records kept for 5 years. US persons may not stay at properties on the State Department's Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List (11 more Havana hotels added 14 July 2025) or deal directly with entities on the Cuba Restricted List (GAESA and other military-linked businesses). Rules tightened in 2025–26; check OFAC before booking (checked 2026-09).
- Cuba ↗Medical insurance is compulsory for entry: carry proof of a policy valid in Cuba, or buy a Cuban (Asistur) policy on arrival. US-based insurers are generally not accepted in Cuba; flights from the US include a Cuban medical policy in the fare — keep the boarding pass as proof (check with your airline). Hospital bills are payable in cash only, so buy cover with medical evacuation as well (checked 2026-09).
- Cuba ↗No cards: US-issued debit and credit cards have never worked in Cuba because of the embargo, and since 6 June 2026 Visa and Mastercard cards from any country are no longer accepted (Cuban Central Bank, after a foreign processor dropped FINCIMEX under US Executive Order 14404). Bring enough US dollars or euros in cash for the whole stay plus an emergency reserve (checked 2026-09).
- Eastern Cuba ↗Bring cash in euros or dollars; cards issued by US banks do not work, and ATMs are unreliable outside Santiago and Holguín.
- Eastern Cuba ↗Shared taxis (colectivos) and Viazul buses are the practical intercity options; confirm departures the day before.
- Eastern Cuba ↗Scheduled blackouts are common; carry a power bank and a torch.
At a glance
- Country
- Cuba
- Area
- 7,360 km² (2,842 sq mi)2,842 sq mi (7,360 km²)
- Approximate; official figure not published (check).
- Established
- 1996
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, spanning Holguín and Guantánamo provinces, protects a vast tropical forest with high biodiversity, UNESCO World Heritage status since 2001, and includes Cuba's highest peak, Pico Turquino.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2001Cuban biosphere reserve and World Heritage site.
Size and age
7,360 km² (2,842 sq mi)2,842 sq mi (7,360 km²) · national park since 1996
Approximate; official figure not published (check).
Why go
- Explore one of the most biologically diverse tropical forests in the Caribbean.
- Climb Pico Turquino, Cuba's highest peak, for panoramic views of the Sierra Maestra.
- Observe endemic species such as the Cuban solenodon and colorful hummingbirds.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool.
- FebDry, cool.
- MarDry, warming.
- AprDry, warm.
- MayStart of rain, still walkable.
- JunRainy, trails muddy.
- JulRainy, possible storms.
- AugRainy, high humidity.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctRain tapering, cooler.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuban solenodon (nocturnal mammal)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Endemic hummingbirdsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Parrots and lizardsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Baracoa
Take a local bus or taxi north 30 km (19 mi) to the park entrance; many agencies offer guided day trips.Take a local bus or taxi north 19 mi (30 km) to the park entrance; many agencies offer guided day trips.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Guantánamo city
Bus or shared taxi northeast 30 km (19 mi) to the park gate.Bus or shared taxi northeast 19 mi (30 km) to the park gate.
45 min–1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pico Turquino sector | Highest peak, trailhead, ranger station. | Open with entry ticket; guide optional. |
| Cerro de la Loma sector | Forest trails, waterfalls, endemic flora. | Open with entry ticket; some sections require guide. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park; trailheads vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | CUP 50–70 | person | Ticket bought at the park gate near Baracoa. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for the Pico Turquino summit and any off‑trail sections.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; use designated campsites outside the boundary.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Baracoa town
Budget hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants; 30 min drive to park.
Near the park
Guantánamo city
More hotel options, bus links to the park.
Safety
Steep terrain and heat medium
Getting lost on remote trails high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Longer hikes involve steep, uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned guesthouses.
- Buy food from Baracoa markets to support the community.
- Do not collect plants or disturb wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Alejandro de Humboldt National Park?
Entry is 50–70 CUP per person, bought at the gate (check for current price).
What are the best hikes in Alejandro de Humboldt National Park?
The Pico Turquino summit (≈10 km, hard) and the Cerro de la Loma forest walk (≈6 km, moderate) are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Alejandro de Humboldt National Park?
The dry season November to April offers the best conditions; May is acceptable, while June‑September can be very rainy.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
A guide is mandatory for the Pico Turquino summit and any off‑trail sections; shorter forest walks can be done independently.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is prohibited within the park boundaries; stay in nearby towns or use designated campsites outside.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
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