Morón was founded in 1750 and is about 36 km northeast of Ciego de Avila. The nearest urban centre to the Jardines del Rey, some people stay here as a less expensive alternative to the mega hotels on the cays. It is promoted as the Ciudad del Gallo (Cockerel City) with a monument to the bird by sculptor Rita Longa which is a replica of the rooster at Morón de la Frontera in Spain. There is a Museo de Arqueología e Historia (Calle Martí 374, T33-504501, Mon-Tue 0800-1600, Wed-Sat 0800-2100, CUC$1) showcasing Indo Cuban and Meso-American archaeology as well as the archaeology and history of the city, with a good panoramic view. The railway station is also considered architecturally important. Built in 1923 in an eclectic style with a neo-classical influence, resembling many buildings of the first years of the Republic.
Apart from visitors passing through here on their way to Cayo Coco, the main visitors to this area are here for the shooting for game birds and waterfowl and fishing.
About 3 km north of Morón to the west of the road is the Laguna de la Leche (Milk Lake), Cuba’s largest natural lake at 68.2 sq km and part of a system of lakes, marshes and low-lying wetlands. It is so called because of its cloudy white appearance, caused by lime deposits under the water. Its salinity makes it very popular with several thousand flamingos. It is the location for the Aquatic Carnival of Morón held in August or September.
About 11 km from Morón, beside the road and before the Isla de Turiguanó, is Laguna La Redonda. It covers an area of 26 sq km, with four main canals and a channel network, with an average depth of 1 m. Red mangroves grow in abundance and you may see the tocororo, the national bird. The northern wetlands which include Laguna de la Leche and Laguna La Redonda are the ideal habitat for a number of endemic and migratory birds and birdwatching is excellent for the range and quantity of species. At the lake you can arrange fishing trips and hire rods, boats and guides (T33-302489, guided 45-minute motorboat tour to see the fauna and flora, CUC$4 per person, minimum four passengers). Fishing (principally for catfish) is available all year, there is no closed season. There is a restaurant/bar where you can sit and watch the water if you don’t want to fish. At the Isla de Turiguanó you can visit the International Centre for Quarter Horses, often included on tours of the area, contact Gaviota Tours, T33-302260, or Ecotur, T33-308163. Horse riding is possible.
About 40 km west of Morón, where the land becomes more hilly and picturesque, is Florencia. This is a place where organized excursion parties come from the cays to sample Cuban country life. Horse riding is available in the hills, you can swim in the mineral waters of a river pool, have a lunch of suckling pig on the banks of the river and watch a rodeo. Independent travellers may not get the rodeo, but if a visit is timed not to coincide with a tour party, they could benefit from all the other activities in peaceful surroundings....
more Morón photos
Get the best info about sights, places to eat and sleep in Morón free to download!
download free pdf
