The Cathedral "Nuestra Señora de la Asunción", arises at the beginning of the XVI century in the village of Baracoa. At that time this church was known with the name of La Iglesia Parroquial de la Villa de Baracoa. The church is best known for preserving the Cruz de la Parra that Columbus supposedly used when he came ashore in 1492 to claim Cuba for Spain and Christianity. Indeed, carbon dating has confirmed that the cross was fashioned in the late 1400s and is old enough to have been brought by the explorer. It can be stated with certainty that this is one of oldest crosses (perhaps the oldest) in the New World. 

The place is characterized by a lighthouse, known as La Concha, which dates from 1861 and from where, going up to its 144 steps, you can admire some impressive views. Its construction was authorized by the Queen of Spain and  began the construction of the lighthouse at Punta de Maisi in 1857, under the leadership of the Commander Engineer, Don Mariano Moreno. In the area you can enjoy the magnificent Maisí Terraces. Of the 24 emerged ones, some reach the height of 460 meters above the sea level; while in the underground levels can reach a depth of 180 meters. On cloudless days you will have the chance of sighting Haiti, located 70 kilometer far from Punta de Maisí Top. You can also relax in the best white sand beach that you will find below the lighthouse.

Baracoa's third fortress, Fuerte de la Punta, was built in 1803 on a spit of land over the entrance to the bay. During the pseudorepublic it housed a radio telegraph office. The fortress now contains the Restaurante La Punta.

This is the best spot to hear live music. You can listen to traditional Cuban music and also to typical music from the area of Baracoa attending to live performances from local and national groups. It's open nightly until about 2 am. Listen for el nengen or el kiribá, two styles of music that predate the Cuban son.