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Guardalavaca, Cuba

Swing by Guardalavaca and spend the best holiday ever in a heavenly atmosphere in Banes, Cuba

Guardalavaca, Cuba
© Sol de Cuba

Guardalavaca is a big succession of hotel complexes forming part of the municipality of Banes in the province of Holguín, Cuba. Located 54 km to the northeast of the province capital, it is the main touristic centre in the region thanks to the lovely beaches located there and the mind-boggling landscape accompanying them.

Guardalavaca
© Sol de Cuba

It is the first place Columbus saw from his vessels whilst describing it as the most beautiful he has ever seen. This is absolutely true if we think of the astounding environment of Guardalavaca, its tropical beaches, a true paradise complete with green fields till the horizon and the coral reefs of the sea bed full of life inviting you to dive in the water and enjoy the experience fully.

In the beginning of the 20th century Guardalavaca constituted a small rural community where the countrymen had cattle. That is where the name comes from. At the end of the 70s Fidel Castro opened the first holiday resort in the area, an event that subsequently turned the place into a key touristic centre.

Many people see Guardalavaca as the best holiday destination in the island, as it embodies a perfect Caribbean holiday: turquoise waters, fine sand, marvellous landscapes, low overcrowding and peacefulness.

Index: 

• Which places to visit in Guardalavaca?
• What activities and excursions can one do in Guardalavaca?
• Where to stay in Guardalavaca?
• What are the most recommended restaurants in Guardalavaca?
• How to get to Guardalavaca and move there?

Which places to visit in Guardalavaca?

Playa Pesquero, Guardalavaca
© Sol de Cuba

During your visit in Guardalavaca you will have the chance to get to know the most significant places in the Cuban history, the culture and daily life.

Museo Chorro de Maíta
© Sol de Cuba

Without a doubt, the treasure of this region’s crown are its astonishing beaches. To get a good idea of the location of each beach it is good to know, that the whole of hotel complexes is divided in three different areas: the actual beach of Guardalavaca of fine sand and crystal-clear waters, according to Christopher Columbus one of the key finds during his expedition around the West Indies; a bit further away we have the Playa Pesquero (Pesquero Beach) that will astound you from the beginning by its awesome Caribbean landscape; and the splendid Playa Esmeralda (Esmeralda Beach) 6 km to the west from Guardalavaca consisting of a great maritime diversity. Also, the beach is surrounded by cliffs with leafy vegetation which make it a very peaceful and quiet beach.

Learn more about the history of Holguín people and visit the Museo Chorro de Maíta (Chorro de Maita Museum), declared Monumento Nacional (National Monument) in 1991, sited on the Yaguajay Hill. It is located in an archaeological site protecting the remains of the cemetery and native villages exhibiting more that 100 human bones. It forms one of the places where material evidence of an ancient native farmers’ settlement have been found. The abundance of drinking water, nice climate and the soil’s fertility benefit the existence of ceramicists in the territory of Guardalavaca. This interesting place is worth visiting, although it might be only because of the astonishing views this hill offers you from the top of it.

What Guardalavaca also has are the true natural landscapes you can not miss, such as the Parque Natural Bahía de Naranjo (Bahía de Naranjo Natural Park). It covers an area of 4.2 km2 and has five internal cays, among which we have to highlight the Cayo Jutía (Jutía Cay). This theme park is located 4 km to southwest from Playa Esmeralda (Esmeralda Beach) and it is aimed at spare time and entertainment of the tourists. For that it has many resorts, an aquarium, organised trips around the island of the complex and dolphin as well as sea lion shows. Also, the park offers you all sorts of aquatic excursions, such as sailing trips, swims with dolphins or maritime safaris.

What activities and excursions can one do in Guardalavaca?

Playa de Guardalavaca
© Sol de Cuba

One of the most enjoyable excursions you can make in the Guardalavaca territory is the Sendero Ecoarqueológico Las Guanas (Las Guanas Ecoarchaeological Route). It consists of a route around a magnificent park where you can admire the true natural value of Holguín province. Approximately 14 species of indigenous plants live by these routes, accompanying typical fauna of the area.

Parque Nacional Monumento de Bariay
© Sol de Cuba

A noteworthy trip is the one that the Club Amigo Atlántico Guardalavaca organises to taste a variety of beers consumed in the city of Holguín. This activity takes place every Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

One of the most brilliant ways to travel around this lovely spot is through horse rides, which will make your moment nice when you explore this area of Holguín. Bicycle and moped rentals are a good way to survey the awesome routes as well that link different beaches.

In this astonishing region you may do diving activities, as it has a marvellous reef accessible from different places by boat. The big scuba diving centre of the area is on the playa de Guardalavaca (Guardalavaca Beach), the Eagle Ray Marlin Dive offering open sea diving courses. 

Many other aquatic activities are being organised from Marina Gaviota Puerto de Vito, some of them are sports fishing, sunset boat cruises and an organised excursion consisting of sailing by catamaran around bahía de Vita (Vita Bay) until arriving in the Parque Nacional Monumento de Bariay (Monumento de Bariay National Park), a place where you can reminisce the Columbus’ disembarkation in the island.

Where to stay in Guardalavaca?

As rental of private properties is not permitted in Guardalavaca, there are many holiday resorts that will guarantee you the perfect stay.

The Villa Cabañas is a good choice for tighter budgets. It consists of a complex of 20 bungalows equipped with all kinds of comforts from the kitchen, hot water, TV and double beds. 

One of the most successful hotel complexes in Guardalavaca is the Club Amigo Atlántico Guardalavaca, opened by Fidel Castro in 1976. The premises are equipped with all sorts of accommodation, from bungalows to villas and standard rooms forming a whole of 600 buildings. It consists of the ideal resort family trips or trips with friends thanks to its wide range of activities. Have fun playing bingo in the pool whilst swimming and enjoying a heavenly trip. 

Additionally, the Hotel Brisas may be the ideal complex for your stay in Holguín. This super resort has it all for a holiday paradise thanks to its wide and comfortable rooms, its tennis courts and its live shows, among other things. 

The Playa Esmeralda (Esmeralda Beach), 6 km to the west from Guardalavaca, has two big resorts. The first one is the 5-star Paradisus Río de Oro, considered occasionally as the best resort in Cuba. It consists of a hotel paying special attention to the environment, which is luxurious in every way. Among its great services we highlight the massages, the private pool, villas with a garden. Besides, the whole place has a floating Japanese restaurant on a fish pond. The Hotel Sol Rio Luna Mares Resort, located in front of the sea on the Esmeralda Beach lets you admire the amazing position of green and sea blue tones, the sky and the Cuban woods. This hotel complex is equipped with green areas and with a long list of services and attractions, among which we emphasise fishing, diving, gym, kindergarten and snorkeling.

What are the most recommended restaurants in Guardalavaca?

Even if the tourists tend to choose all-inclusive packs that the majority of hotel complexes have in their catalogues, Guardalavaca has many options so you can taste the Holguín gastronomy as well.

La Maison Restaurant a few kilometres away from the playa Guardalavaca (Guardalavaca Beach), forms a highly recommended option to dive in the Caribbean food, especially the seafood. Quality plates, excellent service and the views to the sea guarantee you a superb gastronomic experience.

Also, you can not miss the palatable delicacies of El Ancla restaurant, located on the Guardalavaca Beach as well. The astonishing views of the place are with you whilst you have the chance to taste typical Cuban food in a warm atmosphere. If you want to enjoy the maritime breeze apart from the overcrowding this is without a doubt the restaurant you are looking for.

If you travel with children or you miss the family flavours, the Rico Pizza restaurant is always an excellent choice. Located on the Guardalavaca Beach, the establishment possesses tasty plates and a good quality-price ratio.

How to get to Guardalavaca and travel there?

The holiday zone of Guardalavaca owns different modes of transportation providing you with an access to this region of Holguín city. You could take a taxi, probably the cheapest option would be to go to the lorry or the bus station and ask for one going to Guardalavaca. The three alternatives depart from the same area of the city, near the Estadio Calixto García (Calixto García Stadium) located at the Avenida XX Aniversario below the two most tallest buildings in Holguín.

Another great way to get to know the region is by renting a car. More to the point, it is good to know that in Cuba only the national companies can lend out cars. This is probably the most comfortable and flexible way to explore the province in your rhythm without any timetable difficulties. Every car rental agency has offices in Guardalavaca.

Once you are in the interior of the region, the best vehicle to travel around is the coach. Transtur organises a two-storey coach that connects the three beaches of Guardalavaca and the Taino village. It stops at the playa Pesquero (Pesquero Beach), Parque Rocazul (Rocazul Park), playa Costa Verde (Costa Verde Beach), the Club Amigo Atlántico Guardalavaca, the hotels of playa Esmeralda (Esmeralda Beach) and the Taino village.

Although every resort offers moped and bicycle rental services, there are horse carriages between Guardalavaca and Esmeralda Beach as well.

Interactive map:

Holguín