At the eastern tip of the Hicacos Peninsula, away from the resort hotels, Varahicacos is a 730-acre protected area of coastal scrub, limestone outcrops, and native vegetation. It feels completely different from the resort strip — quieter, wilder, and genuinely interesting.
The main draws are the caves: Cueva Ambrosio has 47 pre-Columbian pictographs, and Cueva de los Musulmanes (named for the Muslim-influenced shapes of its stalactites) was an indigenous burial site. Walking trails pass through the scrubland, where cactus and wild orchids grow alongside one of the oldest living cacti in Cuba — a specimen estimated at over 500 years old. Guided tours are available at the reserve entrance.