Cayo Largo del Sur, Cuba
Escape to this natural paradise of sparkling beaches and crystal clear waters in Cayo Largo del Sur, Cuba
Cayo Largo del Sur, Cuba
© Alessandro Caproni
Cayo Largo del Sur is a small island located within the Canarreos archipelago 180 km from Havana, east of the Isla de la Juventud, in Cuba. Here you will find coral reefs and beaches of fine shiny limestone sand and transparent turquoise water, that make up the Caribbean paradise you have always dreamed of.
Cayo Largo had remained uninhabited until the 1980s, then tourist resorts were created, yet it still maintains its attraction as a untouched and unexplored territory.
If you've decided to spend a few days in Cayo Largo del Sur you should know that it's resorts, considered among the best in the country, are on the beachfront and are usually all-inclusive. This is why the Sol Cayo Largo and Hotel Pelícano hotels stand out.
Index:
- What is There to Do in Cayo Largo del Sur?
- What are the Best Beaches in Cayo Largo del Sur?
- What can I see in Cayo Largo del Sur?
- How do I Get to Cayo Largo del Sur?
- What kind of accommodations are there in Cayo Largo del Sur?
What is There to Do in Cayo Largo del Sur?
Cayo Largo del Sur
© Alessandro Caproni
Cayo Largo del Sur is one of the most well-known destinations for diving in Cuba. If you are a diving lover you have 32 diving sites with a variety of characteristics. Some of the most popular are the Canal de Barracudas, Cañón de Martín and Tony Point.
Cayo Largo del Sur is for diving lovers “one of those unique spots in the world" for its clear water, reefs with nearly 600 species of coral, caves, caverns... If you are lucky you will even see a nurse shark during your dive.
There are 3 diving areas, ranging from areas closest to furthest from the island. In the area closest you can enjoy large coral mountains; the second area is the most popular for its diversity of colorful fish; and the third zone, the furthest from the island, contains walls of great depth, about 200 meters.
Cayo Largo, Cuba
© Jack K.....ski
You can walk along its white sand strip under the bright Caribbean sun and swim in its warm waters accompanied by starfish.
Enjoy an intimate experience in the middle of a peaceful natural environment with 26 km of some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, such as Playa Sirena or Playa Paraíso, where you will seldom find other tourists.
Due to its relative isolation from large urban areas, in the 26 km of Cayo Largo del Sur you can easily come and watch the different species of birds flying, and photograph the native iguanas that populate some of its beaches. You can even witness the nesting of the sea turtles and the subsequent care of their hatchlings at the Granja de las Tortugas (Turtle Farm).
What are the Best Beaches in Largo del sur?
Cayo Largo del Sur, Playa Sirena
© Genchi71
If, on the contrary, you prefer to relax under the Cuban sun, the beaches of Cayo Largo del Sur will not let you down; every year they are ranked among the best beaches in the world.
The highlights are Playa Sirena, 2 km of white sand and turquoise waters; Playa Paraiso, an ideal place to rest and have a drink at its beach bar while watching the sunset or swimming to the area known as Cayo de los Monos; Playa los Cocos (Coconut Beach), an ideal place to swim or snorkel; and Playa Tortuga.
What Can I See Cayo Largo del Sur?
If you are interested in the history of this peculiar island which was frequented by pirates and corsairs, you should not miss the Museo de Cayo Largo del Sur.
If, on the other hand, you are attracted by the idea of getting to know the place a little better from the perspective of sustainable tourism, the Granja de las Tortugas (Turtle Farm) is an animal sanctuary that will not disappoint you. This sea turtle rescue center is located in the northern part of the island and is one of the few places in Cuba where you can observe the nocturnal nesting of this animal live.
Cayo Iguana
© kuhnmi
Other islands in the archipelago are worth visiting because they are considered virgin islands. These include: Cayo Rico, an islet whose only residents are iguanas and you can go snorkeling or scuba diving on its coral reef; Cayo del Rosario, an island west of Cuba and another ideal place to dive because its crystal-clear waters are natural habitat for colorful fish; and Cayo Iguana, an island full of animal life that can be reached by sail boat or small boat.
How do I Get to Largo del Sur?
Perhaps one of the disadvantages to take into account when planning your trip to Cayo Largo del Sur is that the journey has a certain complexity. However, it is an excursion worth doing.
To get to this little piece of Caribbean paradise you must take a flight from Havana operated by Aerogaviota airline. The trip takes half an hour and it is always a good idea to organize the trip in advance, as it is usual to have certain flights delayed. Once on the island, you have to keep in mind that being a natural almost virgin space, there is only one main road so the best option to move from one beach to another is to rent a bicycle or walk.
What type of accommodations are there in Cayo Largo del Sur?
If you come from Cuba you will have noticed that apartment type accommodation is very common in this part of the Caribbean. However, because Cayo Largo has a more exclusive and touristic feel to it, this type of accommodation is impossible to find.
The standard in this beautiful key is that of all-inclusive hotel resorts. However, among these features you can choose the hotel you like best depending on your budget and preferences.
There are hotels available right on the beach, like the Pelicano Hotel, and resorts designed for your family trips, such as Bella Isla Resort. And if you are the type to look for another travel experience in your hotel, the Hotel Sol Cayo Largo offers a turtle watching program during the nesting process.
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