When talking about Caribbean vacations, what probably comes to mind are white sand beaches, specialty cocktails and palm trees. We go in search of these attractions in the cradle of rum, Mojitos and cigars. Below is a selection of Cuba’s most beautiful beaches, places where Ernest Hemingway himself might have pondered his works.
Playa Paraiso
Actually, a beach that deserves to be called paradise is Playa Paraiso, intended for adventurers who want to leave the mainland and explore some of the small islands in the south of Cuba. That gem is located on Cayo Largo, the second biggest island of the Canarreos archipelago. And though Playa Paraiso is regularly ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba and beyond, that is not reflected in the number of tourists who tend to rarely want to come here.
Varadero
Cuba’s most famous resort, on the Hicacos Peninsula, Varadero, has become a popular tourist destination. Its advantage is that it is not far from the capital, the city of Havana and that it offers social and sporting opportunities. More than 20 kilometers of white sand and a beautiful beach promenade await you in Varadero. But if you are looking for rest and relaxation, then you should go to another place, because local entertainment places will not let you find much peace.
Cayo Santa María
The beach of Cayo Santa María was voted the second most beautiful beach in the world by TripAdvisor in 2021. That area is called Rosa Blanca de los Jardines del Rey (White Rose of the Royal Gardens) because of the combination of fine white sand and crystal clear water that these beaches offer. You can enjoy fantastic nature here as well. The beautiful island also offers a variety of hiking opportunities, particularly in the south, which is marked by lush vegetation.
Playa Los Pinos
You can find Los Pinos beach on Cayo Sabinal, which is a long peninsula that runs parallel to the north coast. Because of its remote location, not many tourists visit here, and those who are lucky will find beautiful, untouched nature. The trip here is an experience in itself. There are kilometers of scrubland here with deer, Wild horses and colorful butterflies. And once you get out of the jungle, you’ve got miles and miles of deserted, untouched coastline. In fact, this feels a bit like the end of the world.
Playa Ancon
Playa Ancón may be the most peaceful place on Cuba’s south coast. Located close to Trinidad, the fine white sand and calm, crystal-clear waters make a pleasant change from a visit to the province of Sancti Spiritus. And if you get tired of sunbathing, the lovely little fishing village of La Boca is not far from the beach, and you can contemplate life in the shade of trees and quaint wooden villas.
Baracoa
The town of Baracoa, at the eastern tip of the island, has impressive beaches to offer and an eventful history, uniquely Cuban atmosphere, and vast areas of lush rainforest. Out of the beaches, our recommendation is Playa Maguana, though if you’re looking for a relaxing, uninterrupted break, you should head to Playa de Nibujón. And, when you have time, drive south along the coast to the paradisiacal Playa Manglito and park on the shore by a small restaurant that offers seafood right on the sand and where you can enjoy the catch of the day.
Cayo Rico
Lovers of wildlife should not miss the beach on the nearby island of Cayo Rico. In addition to umbrellas, cocktails, clear waters and white sand, you can enjoy Cuban wildlife. You can find iguanas that attract the attention of visitors and rodents from the Hutiidae family that resemble nutria. These cute little furry creatures live in symbiosis with the iguanas and love to play with their tails. Several adventurers recommend exploring the area by catamaran.
Playa Guardalavaca
With its bright white sand, gently rolling hills and green fields of palm trees, wine grapes and tamarinds lining the beach, Guardalavaca is a true natural gem on the southeast coast. Its beach is popular with both locals and tourists, which gives the whole area a pleasant and authentic feel, as opposed to other beach resorts that cater to a purely foreign clientele. The underwater world here also offers excellent conditions for snorkeling.
Cayo Levisa
The only way to reach this magical island is by sea. There are boats leaving from the port of Palma Rubia, but probably the most popular and stylish way to reach the island is by private yacht. Cayo Levisa is in the province of Pinar del Rio and is best known for its abundance of black coral, sandy white beaches and sapphire blue waters. This island is also a popular destination for snorkelers and scuba divers.
Playa Los Flamencos
Playa Los Flamencos Beach on Cayo Coco is known for its luxurious all-inclusive resorts. Located in the central part of Cuba, it is named after the coconut bird (white ibis). Cayo Coco is joined to the west by Cayo Guillermo, which is a sleepy and quiet island with beaches for those who want to relax and enjoy fishing and diving. This island is home to a colony of 12,000 flamingos that gather here to feed, making for an enchanting sight that most visitors come here for.
