Moron
Travel Guide Caribbean Cuba Moron
Introduction
Moron is a city in the Ciego de Ávila Province in the central part of Cuba and has around 65,000 inhabitants. It is the oldest city in the province and the main gateway to the popular Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.
Sights and Activities
- Visit the Laguna de Leche (Lake of Milk) - the largest natural lake in Cuba, lying on the northern edge of the town. At times the sediment in the water does make it appear milky. There are a number of bars on its shores (one is built on stilts above the lake). Be aware: on monday everything is closed down there. You can walk there within less then two hours or take a taxi from Moròn.
- In Patria, on the eastern side of the town, the sugar mill has been converted to a museum. From there, a steam train that formerly hauled cane takes tourists to Rancho Palma.
- Rancho Palma on the road running east of the town, is a country park. Nearby there is a crocodile farm.
Getting There
By Train
There is a regular train service from Ciego de Avila, and occasional trains from further away. (For example, once a day Santa Clara to Nuevitas.)
By Car
The main highway from the Carretera Central in Ciego de Avila to Cayo Coco skirts the edge of the town.
Sleep
The Hotel Morón, close to the centre of town, is part of the Islazul chain. (In spring 2006 it was reported as being used for Operacion Milagro - eye-operations for people from all over the Caribbean.)
There are many casas particulares in town.
One especially to recommend is La Casa de Carmen. It s very close to the bus/train station. if you leave the train station try to keep to your right and follow the road for around 100 meters after you passed the little park. Here you are. A lovely old woman who will take care of you. Like your own granny.
Keep Connected
Internet
In many cities the only way for tourists to access the internet is through the government's communications centers. Look for buildings bearing the name "ETECSA", which stands for Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A. ETECSA also has internet stations in some of the larger government hotels and resorts. The connection speed is comparable to analog dial-up speed in Havana or slower in smaller locations, at a cost of 6 CUC/hour. This is payable by purchasing a prepaid scratch card with a PIN code granting you access for one hour. The same card can be used throughout the country at any ETECSA terminal, allowing you to disconnect after your session and use the remaining time on the card further at the next hotel/city you go to.
WI-FI in hotels and restaurants is certainly uncommon if not non-existent and tourists should not rely on this being available when planning their means of communication.
Phone
See also International Telephone Calls
The country calling code to Cuba is 53. To make an international call from Cuba, the code is 119. The emergency number is 116 and information number 113.
GSM cell phones will work in Cuba (900 MHz). Cuba is one of the most expensive countries in which to communicate. When bringing your own cellphone, incoming phonecalls to Cuba cost about $1/minute. Outgoing calls from Cuba are similarly expensive, and can be as high as $5 per minute for making international when roaming with your cellphone from overseas.
A better way is to rent cellphones, which is possible at several stores in Havana, including one in the airport. The rates are 9 CUC per day (6 CUC for the phone and 3 CUC for the SIM card), plus about 36 cents a minute for prepaid cards. If you bring an unlocked GSM phone operating at 900 MHz (or quad-band world phone) you can buy a SIM card for 111 CUC, plus your prepaid minutes. If you're staying two weeks or more it makes sense to bring a cheap phone, buy a SIM card and prepaid minutes, then give the phone to a Cuban friend when you leave. Cellphones are among the most desired items for Cubans (bring a case for the phone too, Cubans are very fussy about keeping their phones scratch-free). You will have to go to a cellphone store with your friend and sign a paper to give the phone to your friend.
Post
Correos de Cuba operates the Cuban postal service. They are generally quite slow, and delivery is never guaranteed. Mail is read by Cuba’s censors; avoid politically sensitive comments. Also, never send cash! Post offices (correos) usually are open weekdays 8:00am to 6:00pm and on Saturday 8:00am to 3:00pm, but hours can vary widely. Most tourist hotels accept mail for delivery as well, which might be a better option. International airmail (correo aereo) averages from at least 2 weeks to over one month, and even domestic posts might take 1-2 weeks. When mailing from Cuba, write at least the country destination in Spanish (as well). International postcards, cost CUC 0.50 to all destinations; letters cost CUC 0.80. Within Cuba, letters cost from 15 centavos (20 grams or less) to 2.05 pesos (up to 500 grams); postcards cost 10 centavos. Stamps are available in US dollars as well (if buying at hotels, this is actually your only option) and can be bought at hotels and blue and white kiosks labelled Correos de Cuba. Parcels from Cuba must be unwrapped for inspection. It is far better to send packages through an express courier service, like DHL or the Cuban local one (called EMS), although the same regulation applies.
External Links
Accommodation in Moron
We have a comprehensive list of accommodation in Moron searchable right here on Travellerspoint.
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- Utrecht (100%)
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This is version 3. Last edited at 13:40 on Jul 31, 17 by Utrecht. 1 article links to this page.
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