Discovered on the 13th of June 1494 by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New world, this island strikes the visitor with the beauty of its natural environment and its marina. It is through by many to be the real of site of Robert Louis Stevenson´s famous novel, Treasure Island. The legends of the pirates who landed on the island and buried their treasure there give it a special aura of mystery which retains to this day.
Isla de la Juventud. Treasure Island
Places of interest
- For those who lover nothing more than explore the underwater world, the Isla de la Juventud has more than 80 diving sites situated in areas such as the Colony International Diving Centre in Punta Francés. The surrounding seabed is fascinating environment with a series of caves and wall of black coral, as well as the largest column of coral in the world, and wrecks of ancient galleons, all of which has made the area a favourite for underwater photography competitions.
- Other attractive spots of this small island include the Punta Francés National Park, which is one of the specially protected marine-coastal areas in Cuba, thanks to its great natural value, the diversity of its ecosystems, and the excellent level of conservation of its coral formations.
- Also of interest is the Punta del Este National Monument, with caves which have remains of the indigenous Siboney culture in the form of paintings and concentric circles, examples of which can also be seen in other caves around Caleta Grande and Puerto Francés.
