PREPARING

for the Camino

When to do the Camino?

Generally, Cuba has a pleasant semi-subtropical climate, which warm year-round. The year in Cuban can be divided into the wet season, between May and October, and the dry season, between November and April. While the most popular months to visit Cuba are between November and April when the weather averages between 78 and 85 degrees, Cuba experiences little seasonal variation in temperature and travelers should also consider late spring, summer, and fall travel.
Hurricane season is from June through early November, however, the likelihood of a hurricane is more likely to occur in August through October. Since 1960 there has been 32 recorded hurricanes in Cuba. So if you’re wondering when the best time is to travel to Cuba, the answer is, it’s up to you and your appreciation of year around warm weather…with a little rain here and there.

Before leaving

There are no mountains on the Camino but don’t underestimate the path. Here is some useful information that might help you plan your trip.

The Camino del Cimarrón is a rustic trail: The GPS we provide on this website will have to serve as your guide. There are no markings yet. This might give the experienced trekker some incentives to innovate the trail between the towns. But a beginner would be wise to follow the GPS as closely as possible.

Shoes/Boots, the most important item: -We recommend high top boots with a stiff sole. We discourage tennis shoes or any type of shoe with a soft, pliable sole. Your foot will mold itself around rocks and cause friction on your skin which will cause blisters. You don’t want blisters. -Socks: hiking socks (wool or tech blend). No cotton. Spend your money on shoes and socks. It’s worth it. -Flip flops

What to pack, the essentials:

  • Your backpack: light weight and accessible. Waterproof or with a waterproof cover handy. Backpack must have hip straps! Carry your weight on your hips, not on your back.
  • Pack light! Two days of clothes/undies to wash and wear. Long sleeve hiking shirts recommended (2), hiking pants (2), light t-shirt, shorts for sleeping.
  • Basic first aid kit: adhesive bandages, alcohol/disinfectant pads, sunscreen, disinfectant cream of some kind, Tylenol/advil pain numbing medication, Compeed, vaseline, tweezers, small scissors, etc.
  • Toilet paper. Don’t take the whole roll but take some.
  • Toiletries: hiking towel (light), soap, shampoo (tiny containers), deodorant, etc. Keep in mind the weight but bring what you need.
  • Bring a few face masks. You might feel like using one when you go into the cave of the cimarrón.
  • Needle and threat to pierce and disinfect blisters. If you don’t know what this means, google it.
  • Rain gear: ponchos or rain jacket and pants. Long ponchos can cover your backpack as well.
  • Light weight sleeping bag or sleeping sack.Light weight/ultralight tent recommended.
  • Cash. European travelers can use cards at places that take cards (in the large towns) but Cuba is basically a cash economy.
  • Hiking poles/light. Highly recommended to distribute weight as well as hack at the overgrown vegetation.
  • Electric adapters: Cuba uses the same current/plug set up as the U.S. but European travelers need to bring adapters.
  • Necessary power recharging phone, cameras, etc.
  • Pocketknife (not as a carryon on the flight into Cuba).
  • Hat/cap/sunglasses.
  • Plastic spoon/fork/spork.
  • A “fanny pack” for in town activities.
  • Reusable water bottle. And buy water when you can.
  • Plastic zip lock bags. Always handy.
  • Compeed or moleskin for blisters and such.
  • Mosquito repellent. Tick repellent, just in case. With 25% DEET recommended.

Where to stay: Finding places to stay might be a problem. We are constantly updating our contact list in each town, but we recommend carrying an ultralight tent to provide shelter. Once in a town, putting down a tent will not be a problem but finding an actual room or hotel might be.

The First Camino Itinerary

Camino Del Cimarrón Commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of the work Biografía de un cimarrón by Miguel Barnet (1966/2016)

TOWNS & PLACES KILOMETRES DAYS
Sagua-El Purio
40
1
El Purio-Vueltas
32
2
Vueltas-Remedios
20
3
Remedios-Viñas
(via Cuevas de Guajabana)
31
4
Viñas-Zulueta
10
5
Zulueta-Guaracabulla
37
6
Guaracabulla-Matagua
35
7
Matagua-Potrerillo
21
8
Potrerillo-Cruces
26
9
Cruces-Lajas-Ciego Montero
31
10
Ciego Montero-Palmira
18
11
Palmira-Cienfuegos
17
12

El Camino del Cimarrón

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