The main city, Nueva Gerona, sits near the northern tip of the island on the banks of the Río Las Casas, while the better beaches and scuba-diving locations are on the southwest and southeastern shores. The Hotel El Colony is located on the shores of Siguanea Bay, on the central western coast of the island. The southern third of the island is an almost entirely uninhabited area of swamp and mangrove.

There are several banks and a CADECA office (Calle José Martí corner of Calle 20) in Nueva Gerona. There's a post office at Calle José Martí corner of Calle 18, a 24-hour Farmacia José Martí on Calle José Martí and Calle 24, and an Etecsa Telepunto phone and center at Calles 41 and 28. All of the above are located either on or within a 1- or 2-block radius of the Calle José Martí pedestrian mall.

The downtown offices of Cubanacán (tel. 46/32-6369) and Ecotur (tel. 46/32-7101) are your best sources of local information, and where you should head to book a tour to the attractions.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.