This was once a boom town with its rail and sea port. Nearer the turn of the 20th century that the 21st, this served as a major shipping port for lumber and the sugar trade. Product was brought by rail to Antilla and loaded directly on ships to be taken somewhere across the Atlantic. The cement wharf remains but is crumbling. Train rails still go to the end of the wharf but are unusable with some stretches sagging into the ocean.
Regardless of whether tourism is officially coming or not, this town could better serve as a day excursion destination. For now, clients from the resorts in the Guardalavaca area are bused in an immediately put on a boat to take them away from the town. We were there to partake in the Bay Adventure excursion and were literally rushed off the bus and onto the catamaran. The same happened on the return trip.
The vintage rail cars, both passenger and freight, sitting abandoned in the rail yards next to the wharf are reason enough for a separate tour to the town. The classic buildings of the quaint town added in would make for an enjoyable, relaxing day trip away from the beach. Hopefully, they cease this opportunity before it’s too late and the trains, wharf and town crumble beyond repair.
Antilla, Cuba Image Gallery
For full-size, high resolution versions for any of the photos in the image gallery, simply click on the individual pictures. Sorry, they’re not the most artistic as they were taken from inside the bus (the bus we weren’t allowed off, unless we were getting on a boat).
Antilla, Cuba
Located on Nipe Bay, Antilla, Cuba served military purposes before becoming a shipping port in the early 1900’s. The Battle of Nipe Bay took place just off shore between the United States and Spain during the Spanish-American War. The battle took place on July 21, 1898 with the Americans coming out victorious.
Antilla was founded in 1907 as a railway terminal and port town by the Bahamas Timber Company. That company later changed to the Compania de Maderas de las Antillas. The rail was operated by the Cuba Railraod Company. Sugar shipments were brought by rail and loaded onto ships.
In town, several buildings from that era remain, although in questionable condition. The town was even home to a branch of the Royal Bank of Canada for a time. Electricity came late, not arriving until 1916. Previous to that, the town was lit by lanterns at night.
Now, the town of Antilla has a population of just over 12,000 residents. A lofty 731 KM from Havana, Cuba, the town is located 74 kilometres north of Biran, the birthplace of Fidel Castro, and his younger brother Raul. Antilla is 83 kilometres from the major centre of Holguin and 53 KM south of Guardalavaca. This makes it a reasonable distance from Holguin Frank Pais Airport. However, the roads are in desperate need of an upgrade in order to handle a high amount of bus traffic resorts would necessitate.
So, For Now…
For now, tourists will have to settle for seeing Antilla through the windows of their bus. That is, unless you rent a car in Cuba – a risky affair. We were there for the ‘Bay Adventure’ tour while staying at Memories Holguin Beach Resort. This excursion takes you by Catamaran to the island of Cayo Saetia. This island was formed artificially at the start of the 20th century.
The Bay Adventure, which we’ll cover in an upcoming article (including a video), takes you to a very nice beach at Cayo Saetia after some snorkeling. You then board Soviet era military trucks for a tour through the surrounding area that has been set up as a game reserve. On your return to the beach, you’re treated to a decent lunch and ample time to enjoy the waters before the return boat trip.
