Its geographical formation dates from the Tertiary period and it took place due to orogeny alpine action of metamorphic volcanic and calcareous rocks. It is covered by pine forests and caducifoli .

Its large rainfall of 3.000mm gives place to a mountain rainfall. This site is rich in copper, manganese, marble and iron.

These mountains are the roughest and most extensive field of the country. It comprises great soil and climate diversities with a high average of rainfall, large water basins with considerable amounts of water that form a vast fluvial system, an important diversity of physical and geographical environments with intra-mountain valleys with amazing perfection.
At the same time it shows the remotest caverns of the country as well as a varied and exuberant endemic flora. The most invaluable geo botanical complex in the island is also there with unique ecological circumstances for the environment of the wild flora and fauna.

Cauto River, the largest river of Cuba, has its source in its surrounding areas.
Its most important prominences offer a fascinating environment, among them : Pico Turquino, Pico Cuba, Pico Real and Pico Suecia. In the highest point of Turquino was placed a bust of Jose Marti in the year 1953, celebrating his centennial, work made by the deceased Cuban sculptor Gilma Madera.

This acclaimed sustainable development area includes also coffee plantations and the development of the tourist industry.

One of the first attractions for tourism is the beautiful Marea del Portillo beach with crystalline waters and the Sierra Maestra mountains in the background.

Another place of interest due to the virginity of its flora and fauna and especially for its topography is La Gran Piedra, an impressive rock situated 1227 meters above the sea level, 28 kilometers from Santiago de Cuba city with a special microclimate, a botanical garden, a singular hotel and a natural viewpoint of 452 steps from which in the clear nights we can see the brightness of the lights of the neighboring Republic of Haiti .
The ruins of the French coffee plantation La Isabelica are very important and they are declared by UNESCO Heritage of Mankind .

On the other hand, at Sierra Maestra mountains we can find the sanctuary of La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, patron saint of Cuba.

There is a hotel infrastructure aimed at providing accommodation in Bayamo, Guantanamo and throughout the whole city of Santiago de Cuba, the closest place to Sierra Maestra that offers high-quality facilities.

In Santiago de Cuba outskirts we can enjoy Baconao park which is a great natural retreat with Caribbean beaches, a special outdoor museum of stone pieces exhibiting prehistoric figures, bars, restaurants and many other offers.

This exuberant location was the ideal place for the guerrillas fight to carry out their struggle against the tyranny forces of Batista after the disembarkation of the Granma yacht up to the revolutionary victory in 1959. There, in a place called Los Altos de Conrado, a rustic and interesting museum treasures the first memories of the rebel army headquarter and the place where Ernesto Che Guevara founded the clandestine radio station Radio Rebelde.

In those mountains we can still see the genuine Cuban bohio with the Cuban peasant and enjoy a guateque( rural party) or taste a macho asado ( roast pork).
Sierra Maestra mountains are one of the most beautiful and authentic places of Cuba, a mixture of the tropical geography and the most heroic history.

(Cubaheadlines.com)