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Cuba🇨🇺 | national parksParque Nacional La MensuraSalto El Guayabo, pine ridges, tree ferns, endemic birds | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Parque Nacional La Mensura
👍 Recommendednational park ranked #12
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Parque Nacional La Mensura gives you cloud forest hiking without a guide-and-bus package, because the trailheads sit close to the road and the paths are short. It lies in the Sierra del Cristal region of Holguín province, in the east of Cuba, roughly south of Mayarí. Roads are rough, so skip the idea of a quick drive-by and plan around a local driver who knows the ruts. I watched rangers log each group at the entrance and asked for the day's best path, and that small question got me pointed to a quiet fern-lined stretch. You get pine, tree ferns and birdsong, not big-ticket sights, so the attraction is the walking itself. Bring food and water, since nothing is sold along the trails.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #12 national park in CubaWhy Parque Nacional La Mensura should be on your travel list

Parque Nacional La Mensura suits backpackers who like to piece a trip together themselves, because the pine-covered Sierra Cristal foothills above Mayarí reward people with their own pace and a bit of Spanish. The park sees few foreign visitors, so you share trails with local families and forest workers rather than tour groups. The main draw is the Salto El Guayabo waterfall, which you reach on foot through ferns, pines and humid forest, with no guide desk setting your schedule. Lodging is simple and set among the pines at Villa Pinares de Mayarí, so you can sleep inside the mountain air instead of commuting from town. Going independent means you decide when to start, how long to linger at a swimming hole and whether to push on. The trade is logistics: you plan your own ride up from Mayarí, … read more 👉
Parque Nacional La Mensura suits backpackers who like to piece a trip together themselves, because the pine-covered Sierra Cristal foothills above Mayarí reward people with their own pace and a bit of Spanish. The park sees few foreign visitors, so you share trails with local families and forest workers rather than tour groups. The main draw is the Salto El Guayabo waterfall, which you reach on foot through ferns, pines and humid forest, with no guide desk setting your schedule. Lodging is simple and set among the pines at Villa Pinares de Mayarí, so you can sleep inside the mountain air instead of commuting from town. Going independent means you decide when to start, how long to linger at a swimming hole and whether to push on. The trade is logistics: you plan your own ride up from Mayarí, bring your own food and accept that signage is sparse.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while exploring Parque Nacional La Mensura

  1. Salto El Guayabo: the waterfall everyone comes for, a ribbon of water dropping into a rock pool in the forest. The approach is the best part, a muddy, root-tangled walk under tree ferns.
  2. Pine forest around Villa Pinares de Mayarí: tall pines on cool ridges give the air a resin smell that feels odd in tropical Cuba. Easy strolling on quiet tracks.
  3. Natural pools below the falls: cold, clear water for a swim after the hike. Rocks are slick, so wear sandals with grip.
  4. Birdwatching along the forest trails: the park shelters endemic Cuban species, and early mornings bring tody and woodpecker calls. Bring binoculars and walk slowly.
  5. Sierra Cristal foothill viewpoints: gaps in the canopy open onto green ridgelines that roll toward the northern coast. Clear mornings give the widest outlook.
  6. Mountain streams
… read more 👉
  1. Salto El Guayabo: the waterfall everyone comes for, a ribbon of water dropping into a rock pool in the forest. The approach is the best part, a muddy, root-tangled walk under tree ferns.
  2. Pine forest around Villa Pinares de Mayarí: tall pines on cool ridges give the air a resin smell that feels odd in tropical Cuba. Easy strolling on quiet tracks.
  3. Natural pools below the falls: cold, clear water for a swim after the hike. Rocks are slick, so wear sandals with grip.
  4. Birdwatching along the forest trails: the park shelters endemic Cuban species, and early mornings bring tody and woodpecker calls. Bring binoculars and walk slowly.
  5. Sierra Cristal foothill viewpoints: gaps in the canopy open onto green ridgelines that roll toward the northern coast. Clear mornings give the widest outlook.
  6. Mountain streams and fern gullies: small crossings and mossy banks where the forest feels dense and damp. Good for photographers who like texture over panoramas.
For a first visit, make Salto El Guayabo your priority, since the walk, the forest and the swim all come together in one outing.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Dry Season (November to April): Mornings run 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F), afternoons 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F), with little rain and firm trails. Daylight lasts about 11 to 12 hours.
  • Wet Season (May to October): Expect 24 to 33°C (75 to 91°F), heavy afternoon downpours, mud on the forest tracks and plenty of mosquitoes. Hurricane risk peaks from August to October.
  • Crowds and Prices: Visitor numbers stay low all year, since few foreigners reach this corner of Holguín province. Casa particular rates barely move, though Havana-bound flights and buses fill up around December and January.
  • Birding: Winter brings migrant warblers alongside resident Cuban endemics.
Go in February or March for cool mornings and dry boots.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The only lodging inside Parque Nacional La Mensura is Villa Pinares de Mayarí, a state lodge of cabins in the pine forest. The most practical town base is Mayarí, about 20 km to the north on a rough road, with a few casas particulares. Expect basic rooms, hot water that comes and goes, and hosts who can arrange a taxi or a local guide. Holguín city has the widest range, including hostels-style casas, but it sits a long drive away. Book ahead by phone through your host, since online listings for this area are thin. Camping is not set up for visitors here.
Best hostels in Cuba


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👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Parque Nacional La Mensura costs roughly US$33 to 70 per day for a backpacker, with a guide and local transport making up most of it. Travelers pay in Cuban pesos, though many hosts quote in dollars or euros.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance and guideUS$5 to 15Small park fee plus a local guide; rates are negotiated on the spot.
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 25Casa particular room in Mayarí, often with a double bed and fan or air conditioning.
Local transportUS$5 to 15Shared taxis or a hired old car to the trailhead; buses are infrequent.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 15Home-cooked dinners at your casa cost US$5 to 8; bring snacks and water from town.
Total Daily BudgetUS$33 to 70Around US$50 for a typical day with guide and shared transport.


source: cubatravel.cu
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsExploring Parque Nacional La Mensura: trails, terrain, and views

Parque Nacional La Mensura offers short to moderate forest walks rather than long multi-day routes, and most visitors build the day around one waterfall hike.
  • Salto El Guayabo walk: the main outing, a roughly two to three hour round trip on foot depending on your pace and how long you swim. Difficulty is easy to moderate. The path runs through pine and broadleaf forest, with roots, mud and a few stream crossings, and ends at the falls and their rock pool.
  • Pine ridge strolls: gentle walks on tracks near the lodging at Villa Pinares de Mayarí, an hour or less, flat to rolling, good for evening and
… read more 👉
Parque Nacional La Mensura offers short to moderate forest walks rather than long multi-day routes, and most visitors build the day around one waterfall hike.
  • Salto El Guayabo walk: the main outing, a roughly two to three hour round trip on foot depending on your pace and how long you swim. Difficulty is easy to moderate. The path runs through pine and broadleaf forest, with roots, mud and a few stream crossings, and ends at the falls and their rock pool.
  • Pine ridge strolls: gentle walks on tracks near the lodging at Villa Pinares de Mayarí, an hour or less, flat to rolling, good for evening and early morning bird activity.
  • Terrain: red clay soil that turns slippery after rain, uneven steps and shaded sections that stay damp. Boots or shoes with tread matter more than trekking poles.
  • Wildlife: endemic Cuban birds, lizards, butterflies and the occasional hutia in quieter corners. Early starts give you the best chance of sightings.
Getting there is the main hurdle. The park lies in the hills above Mayarí, and without your own vehicle you will need to arrange a taxi or a shared ride from town, so settle the return pickup before you set off. Crowds are minimal on weekdays, with a few more local visitors at weekends and holidays. Entrance is charged in modest amounts and is usually settled on arrival, so carry small bills. Bring water, snacks and insect repellent, since services inside the park are limited. Start early to keep the walk cool and the light good under the trees.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

La Mensura is a quiet, lightly visited park where the main hazards are ordinary ones: mud, heat and getting lost. Trails are poorly marked, so hire a local guide through the park office or your host rather than relying on a phone map. Rain turns clay slopes slick and swells streams within an hour, so wear shoes with real grip and start early. Carry at least 2 to 3 liters of water, repellent for mosquitoes and a rain layer. Cuba has no dangerous large mammals or venomous snakes, so wildlife is a pleasure rather than a worry. Cell coverage is patchy, so tell your host your route and expected return. Petty crime is rare here.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Parque Nacional La Mensura

Two days is enough for Parque Nacional La Mensura if you base yourself in Mayarí or at Villa Pinares de Mayarí. One full day covers a guided forest walk and birding, and a second lets you add a longer trail or waterfall visit. Birders often stay three days to search for endemics.
Reaching Parque Nacional La Mensura without a car is possible but slow. Take a bus or shared taxi from Holguín to Mayarí, a trip of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, then hire a local taxi for the final stretch to the trailhead, typically US$10 to 25 round trip. Arrange pickup in advance, since passing traffic is scarce.
Parque Nacional La Mensura charges a small entrance fee, usually a few dollars, and visits are normally arranged with a local guide at US$5 to 15. No special permit is generally required for day walks, though you should check in at the park office or through your host. Payment is in Cuban pesos, so carry small cash.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Cuban national parks near Parque Nacional La Mensura

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Parque Nacional La Mensura works best as one full day with a night in a nearby village, so you can hit the trails at first light when the birds move. I would skip a second day unless you want to repeat the ridge walk, because the loops are short and a second morning adds little.

✈️ When did I visit Cuba?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Cuba for 6 weeks in February, March 2016, being extremely lucky that that coincided with the free concert of The Rolling Stones.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Cuba, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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