About Hotel Islazul Canimao

Guide to Matanzas City & Rio Canimar Park

Matanzas often called "the Athens of Cuba" and famous for its many bridges, interesting architecture and music is on the way to famous Varadero Beach. Birthplace of the Danzón, Matanzas is also a good place in which to hear a danzonete or rumba. A city on the sea, it has drawn on the rhythm of the waves, the vigor of its morning breeze and the stately calm of its rivers in creating its culture.



"The Hershey Train" is the only electric railway that has ever existed in Cuba, is operating since 1921 and travels from Casablanca Station in Havana to Matanzas. The trip is magical and a good way to get to and from Matanzas; and experience the natural beauty of Cuba and the Cubans.

Matanzas, behind a deep bay, it came into its own during the 19th century when it served as the country’s sugar capital. On the classic, leafy main square, Parque Libertad, the Pharmaceutical Museum is a wonderfully preserved chemist’s shop, also there are plenty of interesting buildings, monuments and museums to keep you occupied like Museo Historico Provincial, Teatro Sauto, Cathedral of San Carlos, Bellamar Caverns...



Performance art as part of the Matanzas City 2011 annual festival held in "Freedom Square" opposite the Hotel Velasco. Cuba hosts an annual season of Street Theatre, many performing companies from around the world enjoy the oportunity of working for the cubans in their own streets.