 | This article is written like a travel guide. (September 2012) |
Mayabeque River (alternately Rio Mayabeque) (Spanish: Río Mayabeque) is a river of western Cuba, considered the largest in the southwestern watershed of Cuba, with an extensive fluvial network that encompasses the municipalities of Güines, San Jose de las Lajas, Jaruco, Madruga, and Melena del Sur. The old outlet in Melena del Sur (now connected with the main river only by irrigation canals) is named Antiguo Mayabeque. The Antiguo (ancient) Mayabeque is still navigable by small boats in the last 5 km (3.1 mi).
Mayabeque was the largest river in the former province of Havana, and presently (2011) is the main river of the Mayabeque Province, named after the river. It runs from north to south and on its banks is the important and historic city of Güines. Its cold waters are a source of satisfaction for bathers in the summer time, ending at the shores of Mayabeque Beach in Melena del Sur.