Zapata Swamp National Park, Protected wetland in Matanzas Province, Cuba
Zapata Swamp National Park is a protected area on the southern coast of Matanzas that contains a mix of mangrove forests, grasslands, and coastal habitats. The park also includes coral reefs and several smaller river systems that flow through the flat, water-saturated landscape.
The area was recognized as a Ramsar site in 2001 and added to the UNESCO tentative World Heritage list in 2003. This recognition followed international efforts to protect one of the Caribbean's most important wetland regions.
Local communities practice traditional livelihoods like fishing, beekeeping, and handicrafts that have been passed down through generations. These activities remain central to how people relate to the land and water around them today.
The area can be explored on several trails and by boat, with conditions varying by season. The best time to visit is during the dry season when trails are more accessible and insects are less bothersome.
The area is home to the rare Cuban crocodile and four bird species found nowhere else in the world. These species found only here make the wetland one of the region's most biodiverse locations.
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