Villa San José del Lago


Once popular with vacationing Americans, this novel spa is just outside Mayajigua. The tiny rooms are set in a variety of two-story villas, nestled beside a small palm-fringed lake with pedal boats and two resident flamingos. It's famous for its thermal waters (32°C), first used by injured slaves in the 19th century, now for holidaying Cubans.

The 67 rooms are no-frills, but the setting, wedged between the Sierra de Jatibonico and Parque Nacional Caguanes, is magnificent and makes a good base for some of Cuba's lesser-known excursions. There's a restaurant and snack bar on-site.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Parque Nacional Caguanes

4.24 MILES

Strict conservation measures mean public access to Parque Nacional Caguanes with its caves, aboriginal remains and flamingos is limited but not impossible…

2. Jobo Rosado

8.08 MILES

This 40-sq-km managed-resource area is still little-explored by independent travelers, although organized groups come here. Organize guided hikes through…

3. Museo Municipal de Chambas

10.16 MILES

Contains pre-Columbian artifacts from the nearby Los Buchillones archaeological site. The museum is in the town of Chambas, 10km northeast of Florencia.

4. La Presa de Florencia

10.36 MILES

The Florencia area's focal point is an artificial lake called La Presa de Florencia, formed when a dam was built on the Río Chambas in 1991. The lake and…

5. Museo Nacional Camilo Cienfuegos

12.26 MILES

This excellent museum was opened in 1989 and is eerily reminiscent of the Che Guevara monument in Santa Clara. Camilo fought a crucial battle in this town…

6. Rancho Querete

12.26 MILES

The nexus for the Jobo Rosado Reserve is just off the main road a few kilometers east of Yaguajay and is equipped with a bar-restaurant, natural swimming…

7. Los Buchillones

19.88 MILES

Tucked away on Ciego de Ávila Province's northwest coastline, this significant archaeological site was originally excavated during the 1980s after…

8. Laguna de la Leche

28.14 MILES

Laguna de la Leche (Milk Lake), named for its reflective underwater lime deposits, is Cuba's largest natural lake (66 sq km). Its water content is a…