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The Keys of Cuba

Visit the spectacular keys of Cuba and relax on its paradisiacal beaches

The Keys of  Cuba
© Wilder Mendez

Cayo Santa María
© Delgado Torres

The keys of Cuba are small islands surrounded by crystal clear waters and white sand where you can relax and disconnect. These islands are also attractive for their water activities such as diving and snorkeling, where you will contemplate the unique coral reefs, among other marine animals such as starfish, colorful tropical fish, and you will also enjoy watching friendly dolphins. For this, different keys will be your best allies. In Jardines del Rey you will find Cayo Guillermo, with its impressive seabed and fauna; Also Cayo Santa María, where you will enjoy bathing with dolphins and Cayo Coco, here you will admire its exotic coral reef.

If you are passionate about marine species, you cannot stop going to Cayo Largo del Sur, known as the Sanctuary of the Turtles, where you can experience a fascinating experience knowing and interacting with sea turtles, while collaborating with the preservation of fauna. In addition, you will enjoy seeing a large number of species such as pelicans and flamingos in Cayo Coco or iguanas in the small Cayo Iguana, which you can visit by catamaran from Cayo Largo del Sur.

The idyllic setting of the keys will seduce you from the moment you step on its fine white sand, from where you can see the imposing view of the sea with its warm and transparent waters and its colorful turquoise blue. An authentic experience with nature, which you will not want to miss.

Index:

• What is the best keys in Cuba?
• What to do in the keys?
• How to get to the keys of Cuba?
• What accommodations are there in the keys?

What are the best keys in Cuba?

Cayo Largo del Sur
© Sol de Cuba

Despite the fact that there are thousands of keys in Cuba, there are relatively few that are conditioned for tourism, even so, their offer is very diverse. Starting with the western keys with respect to the main island of Cuba, we have Cayo Levisa in the Los Colorados Archipelago, where you can relax in a paradise of palm trees and beaches with an intense turquoise blue and Cayo Jutías with its beautiful sunsets. As it is a small island, the most common is to visit it through excursions that take place from the city of Viñales.

Just a few kilometers from this island, Cayo Paraíso is located, which, as the name suggests, has paradisiacal beaches with crystalline waters and a large number of species and, therefore, makes tourists participate in the virginity of the territory.

As for the relatively nearby island of Cayo Blanco, in Matanzas, it should be noted that this island, despite being very small and having no infrastructure or accommodation, will leave you surprised by its remoteness. However, it is easily accessible through different excursions. In addition to being able to bathe in crystal clear waters, this key offers the possibility of observing its mangroves or diving through its coral reefs.

The Jardines del Rey keys, the largest, made up of more than 2500 keys, will surprise you, not only for its paradisiacal beaches, but also for its diversity of flora and fauna, characterized by having a large colony of pink flamingos, among other birds. Terrestrial and aquatic, in addition, it is part of the coral barrier separated from the Atlantic Ocean by about 400 kilometers, which emanates from Varadero and represents an important coral reef ecosystem. All of the above makes it an ideal place for diving and other water sports. Among its beaches we have the well-known Playa Pilar, in Cayo Guillermo; the great Cayo Coco and its well-known beaches such as Playa Las Coloradas and its totally virgin environment; Playa Flamenco and its exotic pink flamingos and Playa Larga with its exceptional views; the virgin beaches of Cayo Romano and Cayo Cruz; and the beautiful Playa Los Pinos and Punta Piedra, located in Cayo Sabinal.

Within the same keys of Jardines del Rey you will also find the Cayo Santa María, paradisiacal and tourist with its impressive squares of La Estrella and Las Dunas which represent the largest island in Cuba.You can access through the fascinating stone in turn, it will connect you with Cayo Las Brujas and its black legend related to a love story and with Cayo Los Ensenachos and its exclusive beaches. For the rest, the island has fabulous white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, lush vegetation and a large coral reef that awaits you with open arms and since it cannot be accessed through excursions, you have at your disposal a variety of cozy and comfortable accommodations, to choose according to your preferences.

A large key located in the eastern part of Cuba is Cayo Saetía, where you will enjoy an authentic photographic safari as it has numerous species such as zebras, camels or ostriches. The accommodation options are not very varied, but if you can find the Hotel Villa Cayo Saetía as the main option, it offers different services, including excursions through this fascinating key that is also a natural park.

In the south of Cuba we find Cayo Largo del Sur, a paradise in the Caribbean Sea that is known for its idyllic beaches and virgin surroundings, among which are Playa Sirena, often considered the best beach in Cuba, with its fine sand and white and a contrast of blues that will impress you and Playa Paraíso, which will never cease to surprise you with its warm and crystalline waters, as well as its invaluable marine fauna, so that at the same time it has a privileged environment for diving or snorkeling in the reef area of the coral reef.

In Cayo Largo del Sur, you can enjoy the spectacle of the turtles that lay their eggs on this island in the marine natural park. In addition, the island allows excursions to other keys such as Cayo Iguana, an island inhabited mainly by iguanas and, therefore, it is the best option for all those lovers of exotic fauna and Cayo Rico, an uninhabited islet with secluded and crystal clear waters. 

It is undoubted that in each of the keys you will be able to discover nature in all its splendor, in an incomparable habitat where the sea mixes with the extraordinary flora and fauna, which make it more than a place to know, a destination that you will not be able to lose and where you will enjoy a privileged environment due to its tropical climate, in which good weather prevails, except for the months of May-June and October, where tropical storms are common.

What to do in the keys?

What to do in the keys in Cuba
© Sol de Cuba

Snorkeling in Cuba
© Sol de Cuba

There are many and varied plans that can be carried out in the keys of Cuba. Starting in the west, it is important to mention that some islands are so secluded that they do not have activities as such and that, in fact, they are part of excursions that can be done from other Cuban cities. Generally, these islands are designed for your relaxation and, therefore, they have exclusive hotels and many activities at your fingertips.

If what you want is a direct connection with nature, Cayo Levisa is your best option; an ideal environment where you will contemplate the turquoise of its waters that are like a great blue window in the Caribbean Sea, while you breathe the calm of the place, you will appreciate its spectacular fauna with a great diversity of birds, mainly pelicans; its seabed is ideal for scuba diving. In addition, from this key you can take an excursion to Cayo Jutías, where you will continue to discover its different colors, you will relax by bathing in the warm and crystalline waters of its beach of the Stars and if you are a sports lover, go kayaking or diving.

In Cayo Blanco you will find water activities such as snorkeling or diving that will allow you to enjoy the fantastic coral reefs, which are also in danger of extinction.

In Cayo Santa María, beyond delighting yourself with the scenic beauty of its spectacular beaches, such as Playa Las Gaviotas, known for its relaxing serenity and gentle entrance to the sea. You will be able to carry out different leisure activities, such as walking through its squares La Estrella and Plaza Las Dunas, where you will feel like in an authentic Cuban town and you will be able to do your shopping while you get to know the more "urban" side of the keys. Within this key you will also be able to visit the Cayo Las Brujas, which offers the so-called Crucero del Sol, which will take you to know all the keys in the northern area and also water activities such as snorkeling or its fun dolphinarium, considered one of the best dolphinariums in Cuba, for its great show with dolphins, pleasant attention and excellent facilities.

But if we talk about the largest islands in the Jardines del Rey keys, it should be noted that both Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco offer a wide variety of activities with which you can have fun. As for the first of the keys, that is Cayo Guillermo, it is made up of a dolphinarium, water activities and, especially, excursions to the small island of Media Luna. In Cayo Coco you can expand your geographical knowledge about the Caribbean area since the island not only has water activities and an international diving center, but also with a local guide who will teach you to observe the birds of the key. Finally, for the more adventurous, the island offers the hilarious Rocarena Climbing Center, an exciting climbing park, where you will live a challenging adventure, in which fun is guaranteed.

Now, for those who seek tranquility, the Jardines del Rey keys has one of the best options in Cayo Cruz, this paradisiacal key is known as the quietest of the keys, where you will enter into total disconnection from the hectic life of cities. In addition, from this key you can take an excursion to the Limones Tuabaquey Ecological Reserve, a protected natural area, which will enchant you for its extraordinary flora and fauna.

Cayo Saetía, located to the north of the main island of Cuba, has catamaran rides throughout the island as well as a photographic safari. The excursion offers snacks and lunches, which is an ideal plan to spend the day in this key.

If what you want is to spend a relaxed day at the beach, a good idea is to go to Cayo Sabinal, where you can relax on any of its beaches such as Playa Brava, Playa Los Pinos and Playa Bonita, the latter has gained popularity, ranking as one of the most visited beaches in Cuba, where you will enjoy admiring its fascinating fauna, both outside with its impressive birds, as well as inside the sea snorkeling to discover its coral beds and the possibility of undertaking different catamaran excursions that frequently depart from this Beach. 

In one of the keys located to the south of the island of Cuba, in Cayo Largo del Sur, you will find two of the best beaches in Cuba, Playa Paraíso and Playa Sirena, which are a true luxury of the Caribbean Sea and where you can relax and enjoy of its heavenly turquoise blue.

In Cayo Largo del Sur you will find the Turtle Farm and the Experimental Sea Turtle Breeding Center, ideal for learning more about the conservation and protection of this fantastic species; You will also find a beautiful marine natural park, water activities and excursions by yacht or catamaran to the uninhabited, but surprising Cayo Rico, where you can snorkel in the coral reef; Cayo Rosario, with its great variety of fish and Cayo Iguana, to surprise you with its exotic iguanas and hutias. These unique species, found in these keys, share an environment with tourists in an atmosphere of tranquility.  

How to get to the keys of Cuba?

Cayo Ensenachos
© Sol de Cuba

Cayo Coco
© Enrico Strocchi

The way to get to each of the Cuban keys is not the same. In the case of Cayo Jutías, it is an embankment that connects Viñales with this paradisiacal island in a trip of about two hours, while to reach the "neighbors" Cayo Levisa and Cayo Paraíso, it is necessary to take a ferry of 20 and 15 minutes respectively, from the city of Palma Rubia.

However, Cayo Blanco is linked with the main island of Cuba, specifically with Varadero, through daily catamarans.

As for Villa Clara or the Cayos del Norte, a special mention must be made of a famous pedraplén that serves as a link between the keys of Santa María, Las Brujas and Cayo Los Ensenachos. In addition, the closest airport in the area is Abel Santa María airport in Villa Clara.

On the other hand, if we talk about the keys of Jardines del Rey, there is also another stone that connects all the keys. Thanks to this fantastic communication bridge that allows you to walk surrounded by the sea, you will enjoy both the trip and the destination. This embankment, in particular, joins Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Coco, Cayo Romano, Cayo Cruz and Cayo Sabinal. However, in Cayo Coco you will also find the Jardines del Rey International Airport through which you can access both from Havana and from other American countries such as Mexico or Canada.

Finally, to access Cayo Saetía, located in the eastern zone, it is necessary to arrive in a short walk of 40 km on the road that connects the island with the cities of Banes and Antilla.

Finally, the easiest way for you to get to Cayo Largo del Sur is through daily flights as an excursion on charter flights or through weekly trips that are made from Havana. In addition, since it is a key that is located near Cayo Iguana, it is worth booking organized half-day or full-day excursions so that you can visit this small key.

Finally, it is important to mention that the airports located in the keys are very small, some of them with a single landing strip, such as the Cayo Las Brujas airport. Therefore, the easiest way to get to the keys from your country is by flying to the José Martí International Airport, in Havana. As for the collective transfer, it only departs from the city of Havana itself and there is simply one line each day, so it is not advisable to take a transfer on the same day of the flight due to the risk of losing the transfer. Therefore, the best options are to take a private transfer directly to the airport or take a bus to Havana the day before the flight, in order to arrive at the airport the next day without problems.

What accommodation is there in the keys?

Hotel Be Live Collection, Cayo Santa María
© Be Live Collection

First of all, it is important that you know that not all these keys have accommodation because some of them are islands so small that they do not offer the opportunity to spend the night in them. However, in the keys that do have accommodation, they are luxurious hotels with a full regime, that is, they are hotels that have all services included.

In Cayo Levisa, for example, you will find the Hotel Cayo Levisa, which is the only hotel in the entire key and therefore, it would be better to book your room in advance. Otherwise, the hotel has all kinds of services included and has restaurants where you can taste delicious seafood.

The Cayos del Norte keys have fantastic accommodations on all three islands. In the key of Santa María we find hotels such as Melia Buenavista, which has an exclusive The Level service (the only one of this chain in all of Cuba) or others such as the five-star hotel Royalton Cayo Santa María or the also well-known Be Live Collection Cayo Santa María, which has all kinds of facilities to make your vacation a dream.

In Cayo Las Brujas you will find different accommodations such as the popular Hotel Villa Las Brujas, where you will have views of the sea from your room, or the luxurious Grand Aston Cayo Las Brujas Beach Resort & Spa, which has all kinds of services for your dreamy vacation. In addition to these, there are other very prominent hotels such as Grand Sirenis Cayo Santa María, which offers all the services you can imagine; Dhawa Cayo Santa María, which even has a private beach; the luxurious five-star Sercotel Experience Cayo Santa María; or the exclusive Angsana Cayo Santa María, focused on adults.

In Cayo Los Ensenachos you can enjoy the incredible five-star Iberostar Selection Ensenachos hotel, which in addition to being a marvel has a hydrotherapy area that has become a benchmark in Cuba.

As for the Jardines del Rey keys, you will find luxurious hotels that will make your stay unique. On the one hand, in Cayo Guillermo you can find beautiful and complete hotels both in the north (where there are five-star accommodations such as Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski Cuba or Iberostar Collection Playa Pilar) and in the south (with spectacular resorts such as Iberostar Daiquiri or Melia Cayo Guillermo, which also have all kinds of activities).

If we talk about Cayo Coco, most hotels are located in the north of the island, such as the fantastic and exclusive (only for adults) Melia Cayo Coco or the excellent Grand Muthu Rainbow Hotel, which is also the first LGTBI hotel in Cuba.

On the other hand, an area that contrasts greatly with the tourist keys that we have talked about so far is that of Cayo Romano and Cayo Cruz. In the first of the islands there is no type of accommodation, while in Cayo Cruz we find hotels such as the small Hotel Valentín Cayo Cruz, the very complete Hotel La Marina Plaza or the exclusive Coral Level at Iberostar Selection Esmeralda (only for adults) all five stars.

As for Cayo Largo del Sur, there are numerous alternatives so that you can stay according to your tastes. Thus, while the Hotel Bella Isla Resort has great suites and bungalows, Villa Iguana is made up of different fully equipped apartments.