Manicaragua is one of the four largest municipalities in Cuba. Main
crops and source of income in this area include such items as tobacco
and coffee. Coffee is grown in the slopes of El Escambray mountains, a
mountain ridge extending from the southeastern part of the Cienfuegos
province to neighboring Sancti Spiritus. Coffee beans from Manicaragua
bear a flavorous unparallel nectar, though not known in the Western
World due to the economic embargo. Not simingly, cigars made in the
local factory, enjoy the popularity of many a tourist from different
parts of the World. El Hoyo de Manicaragua, once known as the Land of
the Best Tobacco in the World, is a small village located in this
municipality. Its popularity faded after the crop was relocated to the
western Cuban province of Pinar del Rio, where many of the local
campesinos were transferred due to their anti-Castro activities.
It
has areas of outstanding natural beauty and value as the Valley of
Jibacoa, Hanabanilla, the dam, and the Hotel of the same name
