Turquino National Park
National Park Cuban national park protecting Sierra Maestra and highest peak
Home to Pico Turquino, Cuba’s highest peak, the park attracts hikers for multi‑day treks, cloud‑forest ecology and panoramic views across the Sierra Maestra.
Turquino National Park is a protected area in Granma Province that covers part of the Sierra Maestra mountain range in southeastern Cuba and includes the island’s highest peak, Pico Turquino.
Outdoor visitors use the park for trekking into montane and cloud-forest environments and for ascents of Pico Turquino, which rises to 1,974 metres. The park protects montane forest habitats and species found in the Sierra Maestra.
The area has long been recognized for its ecological and landscape value as part of the Sierra Maestra; it is managed as a national park to conserve the highland ecosystems and the peak itself.
The park lies in the Sierra Maestra of southeastern Cuba, within Granma Province, occupying upland terrain inland from the southern Caribbean coast.
- Highest point: Contains Pico Turquino, the highest point in Cuba at 1,974 metres above sea level.
How to Get to Turquino National Park #
Parque Nacional Turquino (Sierra Maestra/Pico Turquino) is reached by road into the Sierra Maestra from the nearest large cities (Bayamo in Granma Province or Santiago de Cuba) and then on foot. Visitors normally drive to small mountain trailheads or villages at the foot of the range and continue by hiking and/or guided mule trek into the park to reach Pico Turquino and other sites-expect multi-day treks and plan transport from Bayamo or Santiago to a local trailhead.
Tips for Visiting Turquino National Park #
- Start the climb at dawn to catch clearer views from the ridge and avoid the usual afternoon cloud build-up and heat that make the Sierra Maestra trails harder; plan for a full-day or an overnight to reach the summit and return.
- Arrange a local guide from nearby cities (Santiago de Cuba or Bayamo) rather than going solo - guides know the best routes, local weather patterns, and where to stay or camp along the trail.
- Aim for the island's dry season (roughly November-April) for more stable trail conditions and lower chance of heavy rain or slippery sections on the ascent.
Best Time to Visit Turquino National Park #
The best time is the drier months (roughly November-April) when trails are clearer and weather is more stable for mountain hiking.
Weather & Climate near Turquino National Park #
Turquino National Park's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 9°C to 21°C. Heavy rainfall (2110 mm/year), wettest in May.
January
January is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is the coolest month with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (160 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (315 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (238 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (170 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (227 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (262 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (285 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (143 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
