Beaches in Cuba
Get to know the paradisiacal beaches of Cuba and immerse yourself in its warm waters, while enjoying nature
Beaches in Cuba
© Sol de Cuba
Santa María del Mar Beach, Cuba
© Sol de Cuba
The beaches of Cuba are one of its tourist attractions. Every year millions of tourists come to the island looking for the ideal place to relax, have fun or to practice different water activities such as scuba diving, scuba diving and snorkelling. However, deciding which of its beaches to visit will not always be easy, since around this extensive island you will find a large number of spectacular beaches, whose environment and nature will undoubtedly attract you.
The Cuban archipelago is made up of two islands, the Island of Cuba and the Isle of Youth, which have a large number of beaches, many of which are the best known in Cuba; In addition, thousands of keys are also part of this archipelago that, although not all of them are habitable, in many of them you will find the most beautiful and exuberant beaches.
When deciding Cuba as a vacation destination, Varadero will most certainly come to mind as a must-see. This wonderful Cuban city is the most internationally recognized in terms of final destination to visit the island and obviously its great attraction is its paradisiacal beaches. Of its 30 km of extension, 22 km are of extensive beaches; The most renowned Varadero Beach or Playa Azul is also the widest, and its fame is due not only to its idyllic setting among turquoise blues that contrast with nature, but to the many leisure activities that await you, where fun is guaranteed. .
Another of the most sought after options to enjoy a vacation in Cuba are the keys. These small islands along the Atlantic coast and the Caribbean Sea are a true charm; contact with nature is so high that you will enter a state of absolute relaxation. You will immerse yourself in its warm and crystalline waters, you will observe the extraordinary fauna with exotic animals that share their habitat with visitors and in the sea, snorkeling or diving you will admire the great coral reefs, as well as an impressive variety of colorful fish. But the keys, in addition to contact with nature, also offer a varied hotel offer, with all-inclusive plans and different leisure options, where you will live an authentic luxury experience.
In Havana the beach options are close and easily accessible. The best known are the set of beaches known as Playas del Este, which is made up of seven beaches where you will find the true Cuban spirit, here you can share its customs, enjoy its gastronomy and of course, also enjoy the typical beach environment of all Cuba, where the warmth of its waters and the turquoise blue of the sea will captivate you. Of these, the most frequented by international visitors is the famous Santa María del Mar beach, renowned for its lively atmosphere and variety of resorts. Of this group of beaches, Playa Jibacoa and Playa Trópico also stand out, ideal for practicing water activities on the seabed.
Visiting other cities in Cuba such as the magnificent city of Trinidad declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, although it is a destination for cultural tourism, does not imply that you also do not enjoy the wonderful beaches that it has in its vicinity, since in a short drive from Trinidad you can enjoy some beaches such as La Boca, María Aguilar and Ancón; where you can relax admiring nature or doing more active water activities.
And if your tour includes different cities of Cuba such as Pinar del Río or Artemisa, in addition to its interesting tourist monuments, its beaches will enchant you. Observing the seabed through its crystal clear waters, all while enjoying the culture of the region will be an unforgettable experience. Other cities in Cuba known for their paradisiacal beaches are Camagüey, Las Tunas, Holguín, Baracoa or Santiago de Cuba, with innumerable beach options, some so immense with kilometers of intense blue, white sand and crystal clear waters.
The choice is in your hands, whether you decide on some of the wonderful Cuban cities, the paradisiacal keys or the best known and most spectacular Varadero, the beaches of Cuba will be an unforgettable experience, where all your senses will capture the maximum emotions that you offers this totally unique destination where your dream vacation will come true.
Index:
- What are the best beaches in the keys of Cuba?
- What are the best beaches near Havana?
- What beaches are there in Varadero?
- What beaches are near Trinidad?
- What are the best beaches in eastern Cuba?
- What are the best beaches for scuba diving and other water activities?
- What are the best dates to bathe on the beaches of Cuba?
What are the best beaches in the keys of Cuba?
Maguana Beach, Cuba
© Sol de Cuba
Beach Santa Lucia,Cuba
© Ralph Apeldoorn
The beaches of the keys are characterized by being one of the most spectacular in Cuba and although the options are diverse, in all of them enjoyment and relaxation are guaranteed.
A good start may be to start with the Cayerías del Norte, where it is essential to know the beaches of Cayo Santa María. One of the best known is the Perla Blanca Beach, whose name fits perfectly with its white and fine sand. It has a virgin environment that, together with its calm and warm waters, make it a true paradise, in which the enjoyment of nature is guaranteed. From there you can connect with Playa Las Gaviotas, its ecological and landscape richness gave it the status of a protected area, in addition, its row of palm tree huts give it a very unique attraction. Other options in this key are Las Caletas, Cañón and Cuatro Punta Beaches, discovering its scenic beauty will awaken your senses, we also have Periquillo Beach, its blue contrasts and magnificent coral reefs make it ideal for diving.
Continuing in the Cayerías del Norte, you will find the impressive crystalline beaches of Cayo Ensenachos, which among its options has Playa Ensenachos, with its spectacular coral reef that makes it ideal for diving; and Playa Mégano, very popular for its proximity to Havana and with a lively atmosphere with all the services at your disposal. Nearby you can also visit Las Salinas Beach in Cayo Las Brujas, this beach with its exuberant vegetation radiates purity and is ideal for scuba diving and admiring the beauty of its seabed.
In the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago, you will find the famous beaches of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo belonging to the Jardines del Rey. In Cayo Guillermo you can enjoy the calm and crystalline waters of Playa Pilar, very recognized internationally. This paradise is located in a virginal environment, whose decoration is perfect to earn many times the rating of the most beautiful beach in Cuba and the Caribbean. In this key you can also find Playa El Paso, it is popular among hotel guests due to its proximity to them and Playa del Medio, which due to its remoteness from the others is not usually very crowded, which makes it ideal for relaxation.
In Cayo Coco you can visit Playa Larga, the best known of this key, where in addition to being an ideal environment for observing fauna and vegetation, you will carry out different activities such as diving and hiking. In this same key is Playa Flamenco, this name is due to the fact that there you can meet the elegant pink flamingos on your walks along the shore. Another of the beaches that you can visit in Cayo Coco is Playa Las Coloradas, which will dazzle you with its wonderful vegetation and its impressive scenic beauty.
In Cayo Guillermo you can enjoy the calm and crystalline waters of Playa Pilar, this paradise is located in a virginal environment, whose decoration is perfect to earn many times the qualification of the most beautiful beach in Cuba and the Caribbean. In this key you can also find Playa El Paso, it is very popular among hotel guests due to its proximity to them and Playa del Medio, which due to its remoteness from the others is not usually very crowded, which makes it ideal for relaxation.
Continuing in the Jardines del Rey, you will not want to miss the imposing landscape of the beaches of Cayo Cruz, the largest ones are Playa Cara and Playa Onda, where you will enjoy a totally panoramic scene, with the contrast of blues and white sand It also has smaller beaches such as Playa Sigua and Playa Dorada, where you will surely be surprised by the dolphins that usually swim near the shore, catch a glimpse of a starfish or get close to an exotic iguana, all in a peaceful environment.
Continuing in Los Jardines del Rey, you can also visit Playa Bonita, in Cayo Sabinal, this beach honoring its name, stands out for its great natural beauty, which has led it to be one of the most visited beaches in Cuba, there you will find the famous ranch, where you will delight yourself with the typical food of the place.
Another excellent option is to visit the beaches of Cayo Largo del Sur, located in the Canarreos Archipelago. These beaches will be an essential for you, where the Caribbean Sea is a witness to the dazzling and paradisiacal landscape that they possess. Here Playa Sirena stands out, which has gained popularity as a paradisiacal beach, for its white and fine sand, the intense turquoise color of its waters and an extraordinary fauna ideal for aquatic activities on the seabed. This beach also has a wonderful dolphinarium, where you will enjoy watching the friendly dolphins. In Playa Paraíso, recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba, where you will enjoy a total disconnection, in a totally virgin environment and Punta Mal Tiempo Beach, a spectacular sand point, totally isolated from the hotel and tourist environment, in the one you just want to enjoy the view and relax.
In the same Cayo Largo del Sur you can visit the East Beaches; starting with Playa Blanca, the closest to the hotel zone, where you will enjoy its gentle waves and virginal scenery; Los Cocos Beach, its desert landscape also has great biodiversity, so you will see different species such as pelicans, iguanas, turtles and flamingos; Tortuga Beach, and its most famous visitors, the turtles, which in the months of May and October come by the hundreds to spawn on its shores, a natural spectacle. In the middle of the hotel zone you will find Playa Lindamar, so it is one of the most touristy and has different sports and service facilities and a little more hidden to the northwest of the key is Playa Luna, with its mangroves and calm waters it will captivate you.
If what you want is a peaceful environment, in the Los Colorados Archipelago, the beaches of Cayo Levisa and Cayo Jutias are for you. The main beach of Cayo Levisa, many times recognized as one of the best beaches in Cuba, has the magnificent environment to relax and enjoy its wonderful fauna where pelicans abound or also observe its lush mangroves or if you prefer it is also ideal for go scuba diving and enjoy its privileged seabed. And if you want an even more intimate environment walking a few minutes you will reach the beach of Punta Arena, one of the best kept secrets of this key, because very few people reach this point, which will make you feel the absolute owner of the place.
Other beaches that will awaken your senses are those of Cayo Jutias, both the main beach, with its striking turquoise and its calm waters and the Playa de Las Estrellas, a little more agitated and with its abundant starfish, are a totally virgin environment that will surprise you.
In Cayo Blanco, an islet located on the north coast of Cuba and close to Varadero, you can also find charming beaches, where in addition to achieving an excellent connection with nature, you can see its spectacular coral reef, practicing snorkeling or diving, You will also enjoy its fascinating fauna with the sighting of different birds and iguanas among its fabulous mangroves.
To culminate this great walk through the paradisiacal beaches of the keys of Cuba, we cannot forget the beaches of the wonderful Cayo Saetía. This natural park, located on the north coast of the province of Holguín, is the perfect combination of fabulous plant species and exotic fauna, all of which you can observe while you relax and its crystal clear and calm waters.
What are the best beaches near Havana?
Playas del Este, Havana
© Sol de Cuba
Just 18km from the Cuban capital you will find the quiet Playas del Este. It is about seven beaches in which a Cuban atmosphere is breathed since this area is practically free of tourist complexes. Therefore, if what you are looking for is to know the true Cuban lifestyle surrounded by nature, these beaches with turquoise waters and white sand will be your best allies. In addition, each beach has particular characteristics, so you can choose the beach that best suits your tastes.
Starting from the closest beach to Havana, you will find the beautiful Playa Bacuranao that features corals and an 18th century Spanish galleon just outside the beach. In this way, the ideal characteristics are gathered so that you can dive.
If we continue talking about corals and water activities such as snorkeling or diving, you cannot miss the quiet Mégano beach, which also has the option of playing beach volleyball with your family or friends.
As for the most international beach, this is Santa María del Mar. This beach not only receives a greater number of foreigners, but is also made up of different resorts where you can spend an idyllic vacation.
On the other hand, if you want to take a dip or relax on the most paradisiacal beaches in the area, your best options will be Playa Boca Ciega and Playa Guanabo. Both are surrounded by coconut trees, palm trees or even dunes in the case of Guanabo. For the rest, the first of the beaches is mainly focused on the relaxation of the bathers, while in the second of them there are a greater number of private houses, shops and nightclubs and, therefore, the atmosphere is more lively.
About an hour from Havana, in the province of Camagüey, is the spectacular Jibacoa Beach. This is known for its crystalline waters and shallow depths that will allow you to dive and discover the amazing coral beds and the fish and mollusks that are found there. In addition to this, you can also have fun doing fabulous hiking trails, horseback riding or rowing excursions. Otherwise, the location of this beach will allow you to visit nearby places full of charm such as the viewpoint of the Bacunayagua bridge, which is the highest bridge in all of Cuba; the Camilo Cienfuegos Central Mill or the Hershey Gardens, truly picturesque places.
Finally, you should also know that daily excursions depart from Havana to Viñales and Palma Rubia, from where you can take a ferry to get to Cayo Levisa or to get to Cayo Jutías through a stone wall. These excursions usually take about two days due to the distance between the Cuban capital and these cities, but the trip includes accommodation, meals and many more plans that will make this journey one of the best of your vacations in the Caribbean.
What beaches are there in Varadero?What are the best beaches in eastern Cuba?
Varadero is a paradisiacal town located in the western part of Cuba, which is characterized by its wonderful beaches that are classified as the most beautiful in Cuba.
First of all, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Cuba is the famous Varadero Beach, also known as Playa Azul. This beach is one of the most spectacular in the world and is 22 km long, which is because it is actually six beaches; of which the most important are Varadero, Rincón Francés and La Alamedo. Therefore, this long beach offers all kinds of activities to make your stay in Cuba and Varadero a dream. On the one hand, you will have the opportunity to perform different water activities such as snorkeling and diving that will allow you to discover a coral reef and the exotic fauna of this place: fish, mollusks or crustaceans. But in addition to that, you can also surf, windsurf and water ski on this idyllic beach or rent jet skis and boats with which you can discover small corners near Varadero. Finally, if your intention is to enjoy the white sand of this beach, you can rest in the sun or, on the contrary, have fun playing beach volleyball.
Another mandatory stop is Playa Coral, which is one of the most interesting beaches in the country. On the one hand, it has more than 2 km of coral reefs, which makes it the second largest coral reef in the world; and, on the other hand, the beach as such is spectacular since it is characterized by its only pink sand. But so that you can put all this information to the test, you should not miss the opportunity to do activities such as diving or snorkelling, which in addition to being adapted for all kinds of levels, in less than an hour you will be able to see the coral reef with your own eyes. and feed the spectacular fauna found in this environment: fish, crustaceans or sponges.
Finally, Varadero has somewhat smaller and more exclusive beaches such as Playa La Caleta, where you can kayak or windsurf; or Calaveras Beach, where in addition to relaxing you can see the remains of an old salt mine from colonial times.
Finally, this city also offers daily catamaran excursions to the small but wonderful Cayo Blanco. In this key, in addition to bathing in its crystal clear waters, you will have the opportunity to observe its mangroves or perform different water activities such as snorkeling or diving, which will allow you to know some coral reefs that are in danger of extinction.
What beaches are near Trinidad?
Playa Ancón,Trinidad
© Neiljs
The wonderful city of Trinidad, declared a World Heritage Site in 1988 by UNESCO, has several impressive beaches in its surroundings.
First, 12km from Trinidad is the long Ancón beach, characterized by its white sand and crystal clear waters. On this beach you can do activities such as snorkeling and diving, which are very worthwhile because you can see fantastic sea beds with coral barriers and an archaeological reserve where you will see sunken ships and galleons. In addition to this, its local atmosphere will make you fall in love since it is an area frequented by many inhabitants of Trinidad and with local homemade food stalls next to the beach.
The closest beach, which is only 7km from Trinidad, is Playa La Boca, which is a charming beach surrounded by nature. In addition to this, in this small environment you can practice different water activities, of which the best option is diving since there is a dead coral barrier that is worth knowing. Another mandatory stop is the coastal town itself, which has a warm atmosphere and a port that will leave you speechless.
A few kilometers from this last beach is the María Aguilar beach, which has all the elements so that you can enjoy snorkeling; It is a rocky area with diverse fauna such as colorful fish or sponges and black corals.
Finally, from the city of Trinidad itself, daily catamaran excursions depart that will allow you to get to know Cayo Iguana, a small paradise where you can bathe in its crystal clear waters or sunbathe on its white sand accompanied by iguanas and hutias, the local fauna.
What are the best beaches in eastern Cuba?
The east of Cuba also offers us a variety of impressive beaches, which undoubtedly deserve to be visited. In the province of Holguín is Playa Guardalavaca, which is characterized by having a shell shape, a landscape where its soft white sand stands out, and the intense turquoise blue that will attract you immediately. Protected by a coral reef, it is ideal for practicing water activities such as diving, windsurfing and kayaking. A few kilometers away, you can also visit Playa Esmeralda and Playa Pesquero, two excellent options in eastern Cuba, which have excellent resorts that give you exclusive access to the beach, where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Without a doubt, one of the most fascinating beaches in eastern Cuba are those of Cayo Saetía, also located in the province of Holguín. This small island will impress you with its virginal environment due to the fact that the footprint of man is practically non-existent. The transparency of its turquoise waters will allow you to admire its beautiful seabed, as well as the presence in its surroundings of exotic animals such as buffalo, zebra and antelope, which will allow you to experience an authentic safari.
A very interesting option is to visit the beaches of Baracoa, in the province of Guantánamo, this city has a great variety around it that will leave you speechless by its beauty. On the one hand, Playa Miel and Manglito are considered the most beautiful beaches in the area, although they are also the most popular due to their proximity to Baracoa. Other nearby beaches are Playa Nava, Playa Mapurisí, Playa Cajuajo or Playa La Fundadora. In addition, just 2km from Mapurisí Beach is the Alejandro Humboldt National Park, a Common Heritage of Humanity since 2001, where you will enjoy one of the most biodiverse places in the world.
Among the options offered by eastern Cuba, you will also find Duaba beach, which is characterized by its black sand and its impressive Landing of Duaba National Monument. However, if your intention is to relax under a white sand beach and crystal clear waters near Baracoa, your best ally will be Playa Blanca. This small beach is part of a protected natural reserve and, therefore, has both terrestrial and marine fauna and flora that will leave you speechless. In addition, it is a beach surrounded by nature, which means that its access has to be on foot or by boat and, therefore, you will often enjoy having this beach all to yourself.
About 20km north of Baracoa is Playa Maguana, which is synonymous with a tropical Caribbean beach. This corner has all the elements to make your visit unique and unmatched because in addition to being a white sand beach, turquoise waters and full of palm trees, there is a 180m reef near the beach that will allow you to snorkel and thus discover the exotic fauna that hides in this reef.
What are the best beaches for scuba diving and other water activities?
Beach Maria La Gorda,Cuba
© Hug Cirici
Cuba has numerous dive sites that are worth knowing if your hobby is scuba diving. In particular, María La Gorda Beach, in Pinar del Río, and Isla de la Juventud are the best beaches for scuba diving.
On the one hand, María La Gorda Beach is the ideal place for surfing or diving, since here you will find one of the best seabed in Cuba. In fact, this beach is among the ten best places in Latin America to carry out these aquatic activities due to its considerable marine fauna and the beauty of its corals.
In terms of immersion points, this beach has about fifty, although the most prominent are: the Black Coral Valley and the Salón de María. The first of them is cataloged as the surface of black corals in all of Cuba, while in the second of the points you will find corals of different colors and sea lilies. However, during these dives you will also find extensive coral walls in which caves, tunnels or even the remains of old Spanish galleons are hidden.
For the rest, it is a beach with transparent waters so you should not miss the opportunity to take aquatic photography.
The Isle of Youth, in the southwest of Cuba, is another of the places where you can practice scuba diving thanks to its varied and numerous dive sites. In fact, this island is the place in Cuba with the highest diving points (56), so fun and discoveries are guaranteed.
The Punta Francés Marine National Park is the most common place for dives, where you will find a multitude of caves that were hiding places for pirates' loot.
There are other dive sites such as Bajo de Zambo, Cueva Azul or El Escondite del Buzo, which are known for their deep underwater tunnels and valleys. On the other hand, you will also dive over black corals, turtles or even a wreck cemetery that has more than 70 remains of boats.
On the other hand, a smaller beach where you can go scuba diving is located in the province of Santiago de Cuba, in the easternmost part of the country. The place is called Playa Cazonal and its characteristics make it an ideal place to enjoy this water sport since the waters do not have algae and the visibility is greater.
On the other hand, Cuba also has numerous beaches where you can practice other types of water activities through which you can see first-hand the seabed and the coasts of Cuba.
Thus, Playa Santa Lucía, in Camagüey, offers you the opportunity to dive in this exclusive environment where you can discover the most extensive coral formations in the world. On the other hand, in the neighboring province of Las Tunas you will find Playa Covarrubias, a small paradise of turquoise waters that will leave you fascinated by a 6km coral reef and by the remains of boats from the time of corsairs and pirates.
Finally, if you prefer to observe the seabed from the surface, your best ally will be snorkeling. This activity can be done on practically any beach due to its simplicity and popularity, although the best beaches where you can practice it are in the province of Holguín, in eastern Cuba, due to its fantastic seabed.
On the one hand, in Guardalavaca, a 2km shell-shaped beach located at the eastern end of the north coast of the region, you will find a beautiful coral reef, while in Playa Pesquero and in Playa Esmeralda you will see coral reefs and a wide exotic vegetation and fauna.
What are the best dates to swim at the beaches of Cuba?
The climate of Cuba is divided into two seasons: the dry or winter season, which covers the months of November to April; and the rainy or summer season, which occurs between May and October. For this reason, while in winter you will find temperatures that range between 20 and 26ºC, in summer the maximum temperatures can be around 34ºC in the coastal areas.
All these values have an impact on the temperatures of the waters since, as you will be able to find out in your visit to the beaches of Cuba, they exceed 24ºC in winter and oscillate 30ºC during the summer. In addition to this, the climatic factor also has an impact on the turquoise color of its waters, which will leave you speechless and will make you feel that you are in paradise.
For all this, the beaches of Cuba and its seabed will surprise you with the exotic fauna that you will find there. Its starfish, sponges, colorful fish or even dolphins make the beaches of Cuba a tourist attraction that you can discover throughout the year doing activities such as snorkeling or diving.
However, this spectacle of the exotic animal world of the area also takes place on the beaches themselves, such as the nesting of turtles in Cayo Largo del Sur or the presence of coastal reefs on El Salado beach.
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