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 Laguna de la Leche, 5km from town and its restaurant, La Atarraya. The lake is the largest freshwater reservoir in Cuba and one of its favorite fishing haunts. |
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| In the province of Ciego de Avila, the first settlers coming from Andalucia in the middle of th 16th century gave the city its cock-a-doodle-doo symbol. They nick-named "Town of the young rooster". The gallo (guy-yo) still sings twice daily from atop a monument at Hotel Moron. The word moron either means a nice view or a mound or is a reminder of a namesake village near Sevilla in Spain. First bullfights in 1851, first public school and first newspaper in 1855, first firefighters in 1868. In 1871 started the building of a huge defense line (la Trocha) made of low wood-built towers which crossed the island from the south coast at Jucaro to here in Moron on the north coast, the idea being to block the separatists' troops from going west to La Havana. Also plying the same route were military locomotives turned into killing machines which bore names like La Júcaro, La Ciego, La Amparo, La Chiva, La Cuenca and the most famous, El Almirante. One was named la Carneceria, the butcher. Ernest Hemingway lauded the numerous cayos of the Cuban tourist area called Jardines del Rey, (Gardens of the King) half a century ago describing with knowledge and affection both Coco and Guillermo keys (cayos) in Islands in the Stream. Today, although it remains a popular hunting and fishing location for Cubans besides having many colonial and cultural sites of interest, most tourists just pass through (morons...) on their way to the keys or cayos. These keys cover some 500 sq km, a kind of nirvana of scuba divers (in cayos Media Luna and Los Felipes : four centres with 22 dive sites), of beachcombers (21 km of white sand), as well as bird watchers looking for some of its 158 species, which, surprisingly enough have not left following the building boom which saw rise some 3,000 hotel rooms. Cayo Coco, Cayo Paredon Grande and Cayo Romano make up the 785 sq km Buenavista protected reserve where hunting is a no-no : iguanas, stags and some 30,000 pink roseate flamingos live there in relative peace. The keys are reached by a causeway or pedraplen (a huge three-year long project completed in 1980) on the bay of Perros (dogs) and extending some 90 km, a 50-minute drive to the end. More on (Moron, get it ? ; ) this below.
POPULATION 62,869 (2007) RESTAURANTS & PALADARES • Las Fuentes, calle Marti 169, Cuban and international : best in town • Las Delicias is across the street from preceding • Doña Neli, snack-bar 24/7 and bakery • San Fernando, 24/7 rooms for rent SEE.KNOW.DO • The superb train station (1924) : stained glass ceiling, original phone booth, etc. An annual steam locomotive festival is held here in December • Casa Parroquial • Galeria del Arte • La Trocha de Jucaro • Loma de Cunagua • Museo de Arqueologia y Historia • Museo Municipal (Precolombian Art) • Around Parque Ignacio Agramonte, one will find the Iglesia Católica (Catholic church) which was a prison; as well, the structure of the never-completed Teatro Reguero EVENINGS, FESTIVALS Casa de la Cultura • Casa de Trovadores : Casa de la Trova Pablo Bernal, Calle Libertad 74, e/Marti y Narciso Lopez • Feria Internacional del Libro, the annual Book Fair with sales and leterary presentations; each March. • Festival internacional del Bolero dedicated each year to a different famous bolero singer; first forthnight in June • Carnaval acuatico on nearby lake Laguna de la Leche with a parade of decorated boats from all over Cuba; each September. |
 Parque Marti refreshingly shadowy © Maite Valor Morales •}• Parque del Ferrocaril, the park in front of the train station © Maite Valor Morales Cayo Coco © Killermart - Flickr Click to enlarge.  Park with outstanding train station © •}• Los Balcones © Elo, flickr.com  Laguna de la Leche, 5km from town, Cuba's largest freshwater reservoir and mecca for sport fishing © Maite Valor •}• Farmacia Comunitaria Especial © Sabrina Pezzoli  Hotel Perla del Norte, yesteryear's hotspot © Marc - Picasa •}• Lying by the largest sand dunes in the Caribbean, some 13 meters deep and 30 dive sites off its shore, Playa Pilar on Cayo Guillermo is a great beach and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve © Maite Valor 100 YEARS OF CULTURA LOCAL When Moron changed status from "villa" (town) to that of ciudad (city), it already boasted the second largest bookstore in Cuba, La Moderna Poesía, the cinema cum theater venue, the Apolo as well as a music orchestra (Banda de Música), the stage theater Niza, the social club la Colonia Española and the first public library in the area • The local train yards Los Talleres Ferroviarios de Morón strated operating and employing a large part of the local workers as of 1922 and the actual fishing and hunting club La Casona is located on the original grounds. • Every year, the water festival is held on "milk lake" Laguna de la leche. It's called El Carnaval Acuático and dates from the 50's with coloufully-decorated boats parading. TRANSPORTATION Car Cubacar 33 50-39-01, Havanautos 24-81-76, Turistaxis 33 50-66-66 Plane Airport Maximo Gomez, at 20 km 33 53-25-25 Cubana 33 50-53-16 Except for numerous intl charters; one only weekly flight to/from La Habana, fridays (78cuc, 90 mins.). Bus Station on Marti, entre Poi y Cespedes. Minibus for the beaches on the cayos : Playa Prohibida is tranquila. Train Moron is on the Santa Clara - Nuevitas line (see updated sked below) |
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RENDEZ-VOUS
• El centro de Caza y Pesca (La Casona de Moron), on Cristobal Colon, (7 bedrooms, bar, grill, swimming pool), rendez-vous of hunters and fishermen. Tel.(33) 50-45-63 Closed until Spring 2010 for renovations. • La Batanga Disco Located right by the La Casona shouts infernal loud music which keeps everybody within hearing distance awake till 2 a.m. • Hotel Moron, avenida Tarafa, 144 rooms, pool, bar, disco; hunters also like the place. Tel. (33) 50-22-30 |
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| EXCURSIONS About 65km from town : Cayo Coco and its natural sites : Sitio La Guira (village), Cueva del Jabali, Playa Prohibida at the end of the key. A trail leads to a 15-meter high sand dune, Loma del Puerto • On horseback to Campismo Boquéron from Florencia to the dam, naturel decor (cliff, river swimming) and the hill where Camilo Cienfuegos battled in 1958. Horseback also in Florencia, hq of regional rodeos • Hunting in Aguachales de Falla reserve, a lagoon surrounded by lakes where abound pigeons, doves, ducks and fowl below some 24 position towers. Season 15 jul. to 15 march. Rate 85cuc/day, info at Hotel Moron • Turiguano (island) developed by Comandante Fajardo after the Revolucion : he built schools, a Dutch-style village, brought electricity and was first promoter of Cayo Coco's potential. Among its attractions, you'll enjoy Playa la Tinaja in Manati, the closest great beach to Moron, 25k away. There's the huge Laguna de la Leche (66 sq km), largest fresh water reserve in Cuba where fish (tilapia, carp and tarpon) are waiting to be caught and its famous flamingos (rowboat rentals) are waiting to be watched. You can also fish on lake La Redonda some 11km2, largest concentration of perch and bass in Cuba. Rates 36-65cuc including guide, boat, lunch and morning and afternoon fishing trips ; info at Hotel Moron • Laguna de la Leche 5 k away from centre, a 66 km2 lake for fishing (tilapia, carp and tarpon) and its famous flamingos (rowboat rentals). |
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PLAYAS • Closest is in Manati (on Turiguano), via San Rafael, before the pedraplen and it's called La Tinaja • Cayo Guillermo : Colorada, Flamencos, La Jaula, Uva Caleta. Some say Playa Pilar is nicest on the island. Check it out, bro • Cayo Coco : El Peso, del Medio, Larga, Las Conchas with its thalassotherapy center or the last one at the end of the 100k road (langosta and beer by the beach, sailboat rentals); other free and deserted beaches are Flamingo, Prohibida and Las Coloradas • On Cayo Romano, playa Los Pinos, is for fishermen looking to catch jurele (pale yellow salmon) attracted by your best fly, guy. |
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| SUGGESTED CASAS V = suggested by travelers or owners but not verified by the webmaestro. • Try to reserve at least one week ahead; you must reconfirm by phone 24 hours before arrival. Otherwise, your reservation may be cancelled. • Children 16 and under may share parents' bedroom at no charge only if there is an additional bed available. Mention the age of your children when making the reservation. Comments and suggestions webmaster @cubacasas.net |
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TO MAKE A RESERVATION BY PHONE • From Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by the town's area code, 33). • From Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by the town's area code, 33).  BOOK BY EMAIL : Click on logo to open a message addressed to that casa in your email application; or right-click to copy address showing at bottom of browser window. Spanish vocabulary here.  |
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MAITE VALOR MORALES V Luz Caballero nº 40-B, entre Libertad y Agramonte, about 200m from Casa de la Trova Tel. (33) 50-41-81. With more than 12 years experience, Maite rents a mini 60 sq meter apt in her own casa. It features a large room with kitchen, fully-stocked bar, two beds, kitchen, private bathroom and use of rooftop terrace. She also rents another private air-conditioned bedroom with its own bathroom. Meals served, bar. Private car parking. Rates : 15-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
 Click for more © sogestour |
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HOSTAL VISTA AL PARQUE V Sra. Idolka Maria Gonzalez Rizo Luz Caballero # 49-d (à l'étage), e Libertad y Agramonte, near the Trova and Parque Balinga. Tel. (33) 50-41-81 c/o neighbour Maité In her "park view hostal", Idolka rents a double-bedded bedroom with air conditioning, fan, refrigerator and its own bathroom. Good cuisine served. Cooking facilities, laundry facilities, phone available. Balcony or terrace, safety deposit box. Rates: 15- 25 cuc per bedroom per night (2 adults max) 7-10 cuc per dinner; 3-5 cuc per breakfast; 2 cuc for garage. 270309 |
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MARTHA y BETO V Martha y Heriberto Oria Borroto Calle Calleja 99, entre Castillo y Luz Caballero Tel. (33) 50-35-07 " Hosts made us feel welcome. Large, nicely decorated bedroom, a neat bathroom, two terraces for sun bathing. Martha and Beto are adorable and Betto is quite a good cook (shrimps, fricassée of beef, 5 to 7cuc). " A sympatico stopover with charming hosts who know how to share their enthusiasm for the island and its music. " Rate : 20cuc per room. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) Corinne Briant on terresdumonde.com 03.02 |
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DULCE y WALDYS V Dulce Maria Araujo y Waldys Torres Calle Narciso Lopez 319, entre Serafin Sanchez y Sergio Antuna, facing Hechevarria Park, near central Parque Marti. Tel. (33) 50-31-36 The couple rents two bedrooms, each with a double bed, air-conditioning, private bath; shared are the terrace and backyard. Access to general fridge; meal service available; rooms refreshed every day; parking available. Waldys, a barber by trade, is fluent in English. Rates : 25cuc per night per bedroom (2 adults max.). Nancy 05.09 |
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HOSPEDAJE LIBERLUZ V Carlos M. Baez Rodríguez Calle Libertad 148 entre Luz Caballero y Padre Cano, close neighbor of Maité Valor Morales, above. Tel. (33) 50-50-54 This is a two-bedroom — each with its own private bathroom kind of casa. One room upstairs, the other on ground (you guessed it). Carlos' patio is as nice as Maite's terrace. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
 Mouseover for dining room; click-hold for facade © sogestour |
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LLEMY y ROSELIA V Calle Libertad # 12, entre Zaya y Avellaneda, one block from the casa de la Trova. Tél. (33) 50-50-73 Cellular SMS messaging only. +53 (5) 283-6618 " Nice house just before the centre of Moron. The house is totally renovated, it has two bedrooms, one of which is for clients. You will have your own living room with new furniture and television, a small kitchen, bathroom and you can sit in the open air in the back of the house. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
" You can have breakfast and dinner also, very good food. The people who own the house are very friendly and some of them speak English, they live next door. " by Jacqueline from Belgium, 110606 " I wholeheartedly recommend this casa. We had our own private entrance with set of keys and had the house almost all to ourselves, 'cept for one of her sons and his wife. Otherwise, everything was fine : air conditioning, bathroom, fridge and the kitchen which we almost could not use. " by jasper on kubaforen.de 110506 |
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CARMEN GONZALEZ MARTIN V General Peraza # 38, entre Felipe Poey y Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, 100m from train station. Tel. (33) 50-45-72 " Located in centre with one very clean and well-appointed bedroom. Large garden with muchos plantas and a patio with fruit trees : tables and chairs for breakfast." Monny, Casamparo 18.09.04 " House is superb, hosts charming. Carmen is a very charming old lady. The bedroom is lovely." Rates : 20-25cuc for room per night (2 adults max.). Listed in Petit Futé 2007-08 (taken from here). But, close to noisy La Casona which plays loud music till the wee hours. Chantal Ouellette, Terres du Monde, Jan. 04 |
 Mouseover for terrace. |
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BELKIS y OSCAR V Belkis Beltrán Pérez y Oscar Quintero Cristobal Colon 38, entre Carretera de Patria y Linea de Ferrocarril Tel. (33) 50-57-63. Located in front across of Carmen Gonzales Martin (see above). " I had a large aircon bedroom with two beds and private bathroom, small fridge, reading tables, two fans. Beddings were changed often. " I paid for beer, wine and water from the fridge which was constantly replenished. Dining and living rooms were almost exclusively for me and I had no worries about leaving money in my bedroom without locking it as I knew my belongings were safe. Only bug : casa is close to La Casona from where loud music played until 3 in the morning...every night. " Rates : 20-25cuc for bedroom (2 adults max.) Source : Chantal Boily 23.11.04 |
 Mouseover for view. © Chantal Boily |
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DOÑA MAGUI V Calle Serafin Sanchez nº 71, entre Martì y Castillo Tel. (33) 50-41-95. " Linda casa where Magui is a nice hostess who plays violon for a hobby. If you forget your alarm clock, ask her to serenade-awake you... " We had a nice stay in the air-conditioned bedroom with its private bathroom, tv, fridge, fan and VCD player. (A regular DVD player which accepts avi-formatted copies of movies playing through vcd software.) Meals served, model hospitality. " Rates : 20-25cuc for bedroom (2 adults max.) Referenced by anders on casamparo 060108 |
AMARILIS GARCIA BETANCOURT V Calle 4 nº 37, entre Hnos. Gonzalez y E. Varona. Cell phone (5) 292-9623 " Amarilis and her family rented us a very nice air-conditioned bedroom but with the bathroom reachable by going through the kitchen. In 2008, the bedroom should have its own bathroom ensuite. The family loves fun and went dancing with us at Hotel Moron and the local disco. " Rates : 20-25cuc for bedroom (2 adults max.) negociable. Referenced by jasper on kubaforen.de 271007 |
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SRA MAREL VAZQUEZ RODRIGUEZ y PACHY V Calle Serafin Sánchez nº 77 entre Marti y Castillo Tel (33) 50-31-86. Located near the centre, señora Marel and Pachy's art deco like casa has an upstairs where she rents one air-conditioned bedroom with its own private bathroom and a round-the-corner balcony, overlooking the street. Marel, an hostess out of the ordinary takes pleasure in preparing gustatory fiestas in a joyous family atmosphere. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) mapi, casamparo 081207 + cubanaweb 030410 |
 Marel & Pachy's casa (Mouseover for facade) © |
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ONAIDA RUIZ FUMERO V Calle 5ta No. 46, corner of A, between 6ta y 8ta, across town near Hotel Moron closet to Ciego de Avila access Tel. (33) 50-34-09 Large modern casa offering tranquillity, cleanliness and comfort. Onaida rents one large ventilated bedroom with bathroom outside. |
 © Chantal Boily |
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OSKAR MACHADO V Calle Enrique Verona No. 4, entre 4 y Línea, in the center of town Tel. (33) 50-45-84 "Oskar and his wife Isabella are very nice people. He's a very good English teacher and speaks it well. The casa has two double bedrooms, each with an entrance to the garden." Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.); breakfasts 3, dinners 8, langosta 10cuc alanisko.me 210610 |
 © alanisko.me |
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