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Filmmaker / Journalist / Writer

Cuba: The Bay of Pigs and Playa Larga

(Click on a photo to start a manual slideshow with captions.)

A photo of Playa Larga, one of two beaches that were invaded on the Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs).
Americans hear Bay of Pigs and they think of the failed 1961 invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles backed by the U.S.
Small waves hit the sand at sunset.
And that’s why it’s so strange to visit the area and see it for what it was and what it still is: a quiet beach resort.
An airplane with a propeller outside a single-story building where the Bay of Pigs Museum is housed.
The Bay of Pigs Museum, called the Museo Girón, tells the Cuban side of the 1961 invasion. After paying a nominal admission fee guests are ushered into a small theater to watch a short, black and white, propaganda-style film.
A woman sells tickets at the museum entrance before a large poster of Castro.
The main message throughout the museum is that the conflict resulted in the first defeat of U.S. imperialism in Latin America.
A large white memorial is covered in about 170 gold plaques with the names of Cuban soldiers who died in the Bay of Pigs invasion.
A memorial outside the museum lists the names of Cuban soldiers who died in the invasion. About 170 soldiers fighting for the Cuban government died and 500 were injured.
A closeup of a propeller plane with the "Museo Giron" sign outside the museum.
Tanks and aircraft used in the invasion are on display outside the museum. About 100 of the invading troops were killed, and the majority of the survivors were taken prisoner and later returned to the United States.
A man smiles as he welcomes a visitor to the museum.
Cubans are very friendly and provide a warm greeting at the museum.
A tank can be seen between window blinds.
One of the tanks used in the conflict can be seen through window slats from inside the museum.
A profile photo of a young Fidel Castro next to a description written in Spanish.
About 1,400 exiled Cubans landed in the bay in April, 1961 with hopes of overthrowing Fidel Castro.
Artillery weapons on display inside the museum.
Weapons used in the invasion were on display along with placards that featured photos and text in Spanish.
In a room labeled "Heroes de Giron" are black and white headshots of those who fought to defend the island.
Photos of those who fought to defend the island are on display along with some of their personal belongings.
A large propeller plane with souvenir stands in the background.
A few independent souvenir stands are across the street from the small museum.
A darkened beach with black water and an orange sunset.
The sunsets are beautiful on the Bay of Pigs.
A white table with a red table cloth on the sand on the beach.
A few of the small cafes on the beach set up tables on the sand at dinnertime.
A man rides a bike down a narrow street with single-story homes and 1950s cars.
The village of Caletón is a quiet town without sidewalks.
The Casa Mesa guest house features a funny-looking statue of a topless woman wearing only a red bikini bottom.
There are several small guest houses and places for rent near the beach.
The shadow of the photographer can be seen on the street in front of a side view of a blue and white 1950s American car.
The iconic old cars from the 1950s are just one of the things that adds to the laid-back, retro vibe.
A waiter wearing a white shirt and black bow tie gives a thumbs up for the camera as he smiles.
A friendly waiter at Restaurante Casa de Yeni told us he’s a professional baseball player in Cuba.
A closeup of a cellphone photo of two Cuban baseball players.
He then showed us a photo of himself sitting in the dugout. The food was fantastic at this place and in other independently-owned restaurants in Cuba. You just have to know where to go.
A street shot of a 1950s American car with a horse and buggy in the background.
Cubans are very resourceful when it comes to getting around the large island. Besides old cars, you’ll also see horse-drawn carts, old buses, hitchhikers, and bicyclists.
A horse-drawn cart on a narrow road.
A horse-drawn cart makes deliveries outside our Airbnb.
A large sun casts bright light over water with a couple of small boats.
The village of Caletón in Playa Larga is very picturesque.
The sunset casts an orange glow over a dark sea with a shapely silhouette of a woman lying in the sand.
You can buy the best piña colada for $3 and it comes with this view.
Small waves break on the shore just before sunset.
The water is warm and clean.
A woman stands in the water with a boy and dog in the late afternoon light.
Families and couples flock to Playa Larga but it’s not crowded.
A painted aqua and yellow sign on a building reads "Bahia de Cochinos."
In case you forgot where you are.
People stroll near the shoreline on the beach at sunset.
There’s only a narrow path to walk along the water’s edge.
A silhouette of a palm tree with an orange sunset in the background.
Palm trees swaying in the breeze may be cliché but it doesn’t make it less breathtaking.
A blurry photo of an orange sunset over dark blue water looks like an impressionist painting.
If you squint at the sunset you’ll get a view that looks like an impressionist painting.
A silhouette of a palm tree with coconuts at sunset.
It’s quiet on the beach.
People exercise on the beach at sunset.
People exercise, swim, and meditate.
The orange sunset casts a purple glow on people walking on the shoreline.
It’s a great place for a walk at sunset.