Evening star., 1934-09-30
MOTORING IN CUBA.
REVEALS BEAUTIES
Magnificent Road Carries
Tourists Into Heart of
Scenic loneliness.
BY H. GERALD SMITH,
pan-American Union STAFF.

This is the second OF q series oy
articles on trarel in Pdn-Amertcdn
countries
Automobile touring in a foreign
country may seem to many people an
extremely difficult and complicated al
fair-but after trip has been made
to Cuba and the entire length OF the
island republic visited over the mag
nificent 7O0-mile Central Highway,
this belief will disappear. For every
thing has been done to make 1t as
simple and economical matter Tor
the tourist by auto to travel in CUBA
as to take an extended motor trip at
home.
Surprising as it may seem, the time
of the year makes little difference IN
going to Cuba. for while the Winter Is
probably the most pleasant season.
Summer days are no more warm than
in many cities in the United States,
and every evening cooling and inVIg-
Grating breezeS float across the island
from the surrounding Caribbean Sea.
Cuba is only 80 miles from Key
West, the tip Of Florida-a distance
CON6TeQ III d ScNCIl-llOlIl " ~ ehSA WV
the smooth, blue Caribbean. Ferry
routes to Havana from other southern
ports provide different methods OF
reaching Cuba, in addition to the reg
ular routes by sea from New York,
New Orleans and other points and by
air from Miami.
Havana Only One Feature.
The usual tourist trip to Cuba in
cludes only Havana, but for the mo-
torist who takes his car the trip de-
velops into a journey over an entire
foreign country. To see Havana alone
is to miss some of the most interest
ing parts of Cuba.
In the smaller cities Of the interior
of Cuba, life goes on at much more
leisurely pace than in the bustllng
capital. 1t is out in the provinces,
through the waving fields of sugar
cane in MatanZas, Santa Clara and
Camaguey, that the traveller sees those
sections of Cuba which make it the
sugar bowl of the world" and in west
ern Cuba, in Pinar del Rio, is seen
that portion of the country from
which comes the world-famous Cuban
tobacco.
The usual route for the motorist is
to Miami, from where highway leads
over the Florida keys to Key West.
The Journey of about $50 miles over
the keys is broken twice by ferry rides.
Through the courtesy of Havana
customs officials, who realize that
travellers dislike nothing more than
too much red tape, it is not long be-
fore car and baggage are cleared, and
a permit secured (at no cost, which
allows 1870 days driving in Cuba on
United States license tags, with moth
ing further to be done. No passports
or other documents are necessary to
enter Cuba. if the traveller is an Amer
ican citizen.
Much in Havana.
Before starting out on drive over
the Central Highway of Cuba, the
traveller will no doubt wish to spend
some days in the capital, enjoying its
many attractions.
Havana is so well known to many
American visitors that its charms
hardly need lengthy comment. 1t is
possibly the indef1nable something In
the atmosphere, seeming by itself TO
make for pleasure and gayety, that
places the traveller in the proper men
tai attitude to enjoy the attractions OF
the city and the entire island. The
mingling Of the centurieS-old build
ings and narrow streets in the old
parts of the city with the hustle and
activity in the newer sections, the
contrast between the time-stained
and cannon scared walls OF Moro
Castle with the brilliant white marble
of the new capitol, has a great interest
for visitors new to foreign lands.
There are numerous beautiful auto
mobile drives in the immediate vlcln-
ity of Havana, along the beaches,
through the lovely country club sec
ton, through the old portions OF the
city, which will keep the traveller busy
for several days. The night life OF
Havana is a gay one, with all types
of amusements for the visitor.
Central Highway Trip.
After a few days, however, the mo-
torist will no doubt wish to start the
trip over the Central Highway. Leav-
ing Havana, the road winds eastward
into Mantanzas province. Though the
CITY of MantanzaS is but 80 miles east
of Havana, ordinarily but two-hour
drive, it is usually the first overnight
stop of the motorist. The startling
beauties of the semi-tropical country
side, the interesting sights along the
highway, the quaint small towns
through which the road passes, COM
pei the traveller to loiter along the
way. Going over the crest of a high
hill near MantanzaS vast panorama
is suddenly unveiled. Stretching be-
low is the city, with the deep blue
waters of Mantanzas Bay in the back
ground and Caribbean still further OF
on the horizon.
In MatanzaS, If stop be made at
one of the several small, comfortable
hotels in the town, will be glimpsed
the first sight of life in Cuba's in
terror cities. There will be found
the usual public square or park, with
its nightly band concert of Latin
American music. Around the park
or square, while the band plays,
parade the younger element Of the
town, with groups of dons walking
in one direction and the gayly dressed
senioritas in the other This method
of strolling around the park pre-
sents ample opportunities for flirta-
ton, under the eyes of the parents
seated about the square.
Past Sugar "Centrals."
Leaving Matanzas, the motorist
finds the Central Highway winding
through sugar country. Mile upon
mile of waving green fields is passed.
At various points along the highway
there come into view the buildings
of a large sugar central" or grind
ing plant, with its group Of homes
for employees, its own stores and other
conveniences. Visitors are usually
welcome to inspect these centrals,
but they are in active operation
usually only during the first few
months of each year.
Thatch-roof houses of small plant
ers are seen from time to time along
the highway.
The motorist in few hours finds
himself in Camaglley. a center of a