Sun & Beach in Cuba
White sands, turquoise waters and green palm trees are a composition of perfect colors. The beaches of Cuba show that this paradise is not imagined nor just a promise. It’s there, in some cases close to the city, in the Sea of the Antilles.
Warm waters and cool sands. The beaches of Cuba boast the comfort of a city and the goods of nature. Spots like Varadero, Guardalavaca, Esmeralda, Santa Maria del Mar, Santa Lucia, Ancon, Los Cayos Coco, Guillermo, Largo del Sur, Santa Maria, Las Brujas and Levisa enjoy sunny days all year long. Their location, in the sea of the greater Antilles, makes the temperature of their waters range between 24º and 29º C. Pleasant for all those who enjoy bathing in the sea.
If what you want is to practice water sports, the Cuban islands offer multiple services. From tours around the coasts to professional equipment. You’ll be able to explore the underwater fauna.
At night, these coasts get filled with flavor and rhythm. Cabins of banana leaf, an aphrodisiac cocktail and a contagious salsa confirm the Caribbean flavor of the nightclubs. Precise and rhythmic jumps. A joyful look, the Cuban show that they’re one of a kind when it comes to dancing salsa and they even offer tourists a quick class.
In the beaches of Cuba you’ll find different places to have fun. Nature, water sports, gastronomy, beaches and fun are waiting for you.
Main Beaches in Cuba
Varadero (Atlantic Ocean):
Considered not only one of the best beaches of Cuba but in the entire Caribbean, amazing for its 20 km of white sands and turquoise waters, wrapped in the most exuberant vegetation that covers an aquatic paradise and keeping a radiant sun throughout the year.
Choosing the best beach of Varadero is a tough thing to do, since its more than 50 hotels keep the treasures of private beaches. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for something exceptional, the best idea is going to Playa Coral close to Matanzas, with a coral reef that you can reach by swimming. In here you’ll see over 30 species of coral and an extraordinary marine fauna of multicolored fishes and exotic mollusks.
Cayo Largo del Sur (Caribbean Sea):
Small Caribbean island, part of the archipelago de los Canarreos, home to paradisiac surroundings of tropical vegetation, coral reefs and a marine life of impressive biodiversity.
Its main attraction is the 20 km of white sands and turquoise waters, where beaches of sophisticated hotel infrastructure and hidden virgin beaches blend. Among its best beaches are the almost virgin Playa Tortuga, the tourist Playa Sirena with all-inclusive hotels, and the curious beach of Cayo Iguana, where you can take the sun along with the lovely colorful iguanas.
Cayo Guillermo (Atlantic Ocean):
Part of the paradisiac complex of cays known as Archipelago Sabana-Camaguey or Jardines del Rey, a place of idyllic landscapes of tropical vegetation, exotic birds, coral reefs, white sands and turquoise waters.
Among its beaches, the most beautiful one probably is Playa Pilar, an almost virgin beach protected by an immense sand dune, with warm waters that allow you watching the multicolored fishes, star fishes and corals.
Cayo Coco (Atlantic Ocean):
Also part of the Archipelago Jardines del Ret, an island of exotic landscapes similar to Cayo Guillermo, differentiating from each other because it has a bigger tourist development, housing numerous first-class hotels, artificial lakes and a wide recreational offer.
Its 22 km of beaches are characterized by their transparent waters, infinite coral reefs to dive and extensive white sand strops interrupted only by rocks and cliffs. Among the most famous beaches are Las Coloradas, Playa Larga, El Paso and Playa Flamencos.
Cayo Santa Maria (Atlantic Ocean):
Another jewel of the Archipelago Jardines del Rey, easily accessible through a highway built over the sea, known for its landscape of channels among cays, mangroves and paradisiac beaches surrounded by coco trees, with shallow waters that allow submerging into an universe of colors and multicolored fishes.
Along with the beauty of its 10 km of beach, it is possible to appreciate big colonies of pink flamingos and other birds.
Playa Ancon (Caribbean Sea):
Known as one of the best beaches of Cuba in the south side, shining for its almost 30 diving spots that are well-known for the abundance of corals and centennial pirate ships submerged under its waters.
Extensive white sands, waters that go from blue to green shades, enormous coconut trees complement its beauty. Located only 10 km away from the city of Trinidad, this jewel declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site deserves a visit.
Playa Santa Lucia (Atlantic Ocean):
Paradisiac beach situated south of the Canal Viejo de Bahamas, known as a real natural aquarium for the quietness and warmth of its waters that easily allow diving in the gigantic coral reefs that extends through a big part of the Cuban archipelago.
Golden sands that extend through 20 km, an exuberant setting with coconut trees, diving spots and the Cays Sabinal, Romano, Cruz and Guajaba, where the main colony of pink flamingos of the Caribbean lives, are also part of the attractions of this beach.
Guardalavaca (Atlantic Ocean):
Guardalavaca is the most famous beach of the territory. On it you can find lush vegetation, white sand beaches and emerald waters.
In the Coral Reef (900 meters away from the seashore) the most diverse flora and fauna live. This is one of the main reasons why it’s a must place to visit for diving lovers. If what you prefer is to explore the local history and culture, don’t worry, you’ll find also places of interest to satisfy your curiosity.
Playa Esmeralda (Atlantic Ocean):
Also located in the Province of Holguin, this is considered the most beautiful beach. An area known for its lagoons, exuberant vegetation and beautiful marine landscapes.
This 1 km long, moon-shaped beach, fascinates with its turquoise colored waters and coral reefs, becoming an authentic paradise for divers or just to enjoy the sun.
Cayo Levisa (Atlantic Ocean):
This is one of the best beaches of Cuba if what you’re looking is a place less visited, away from the big hotel chains and available only through the boats that leave the north coast of Pinar del Rio, offering day excursions.
In this place you can enjoy silence and solitude. There are 2500 meters of sands and crystal clear waters, where is possible to practice diving and snorkeling.
Playa Guanabo (Atlantic Ocean):
Part of the series of beaches of Cuba known as Playas del Este, an extremely visited area by the Cubans because of its proximity to La Havana.
Even when it has golden sands surrounded by coconut trees and a fantastic sea to bathe in, its biggest attractions is the personality of the place itself, a picturesque fishing town that shows the true Cuban essence, with numerous bars to enjoy a few drinks with the locals and particular houses rented for low prices.