Via Blanca (Cuba)

Via Blanca is a highway in northern Cuba, connecting the capital city of Havana and the city of Matanzas. A second section extends eastwards from Matanzas to the tourist town of Varadero.

It is mostly a four lane highway, with some divided sections. It runs east-west for 85 km between Havana and Matanzas, crossing the town of Santa Cruz del Norte, and an additional 53 km east to Varadero, at the northern tip of "Peninsula de Hicacos" (the section between Matanzas and Varadero is a toll road). Most of the highway runs along the Straits of Florida shoreline.

This is one of the busiest highways in Cuba, as it joins the two tourist destinations of Havana and Varadero.

Construction of the highway begun in 1945 [ [http://www.mgar.net/cuba/defensas.htm Cuban defenses] - Via Blanca (Spanish)] ; the bridge of Bacunayagua, on the La Habana/Matanzas province border, was completed in 1960. This is the highest bridge in Cuba.

Route description

The "Via Blanca" starts at the "Ciudad Deportiva" on the south-western side of Havana and runs through the southern suburbs of the city before crossing the "Via Monumental" in Habana del Este.From west to east, the Via Blanca then passes:
*the beach resort of Tarara
*the beach of Santa Maria del Mar
*the resort town of Guanabo
*the oil fields of Boca de Jaruco
*the city of Santa Cruz del Norte
*the beach and resort of Jibacoa
*the "Mirador de Bacunayagua", overlooking the highest bridge in Cuba
*the city of Matanzas
*the "Caves of Bellamar" near Matanzas
*the Canimar River (boating)
*the Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport
*the resort town of Varadero (white sand beaches and all-inclusive resorts)

ee also

*Transportation in Cuba
*Infrastructure of Cuba

References

External links

* [http://www.guije.com/cosas/carretera/viablanca/index.htm Via Blanca webpage] (with photos)