Batabanó

La Habana - Artemisa

In Batabanó you’ll find lot’s of bananas, or called in Spanish platanos. Watch out for farmers who are protecting their fruit for people who want to steel it and sell it at the black market.
Batabanó is one of the 7 cities originally founded in 1515 by Velázquez’ men and was the original Spanish site of Havana. It was actually called San Cristóbal de la Habana for 4 years before present-day Havana was established about 50 km north.

Today, Batabanó has a population of about 15,000 people. Like many of the small towns in the southern part of the Havana Province, Batabanó is a depressing place. Eastern-bloc architecture looms over the swampy landscape, and there is not much in the way of interesting sights to see.

Batabanó does feature excellent sponge diving. Its primary trade is fishing, as it is very near the southern coast. It also serves as the port to Isla de la Juventud.