The Cuban archipelago, bathed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, has more than 200 paradisiacal beaches and keys with crystal clear and turquoise waters on its coastline, which are listed among the best beaches in the Caribbean and the world.
We are convinced that if you travel to Cuba, it will not be only to see its beautiful beaches, but the truth is that as part of a good tour around Cuba, you cannot miss the opportunity offered by its incredible sea: from virgin beaches, which are sanctuaries of relaxation, to more wild waters, where you will live the unique experience of bathing with dolphins or sharks, or you can practice water activities such as snorkeling, kitesurfing or diving .
In our travel agency to Cuba we are lovers of adventure activities in the exuberant Cuban nature , but we also adore the paradisiacal beaches of the island. We love to lie under a coconut tree, juice or cocktail in hand, to enjoy the sun and the sound of the sea.
And since we know that you will also love this plan, we suggest that this 2021 you go ahead and plan an organized trip to Cuba, of at least 10 days so as not to miss the essentials, relax tensions after a complicated year for everyone and disconnect completely in some of the best beaches in Cuba.
From CubaUnique we share our top 5 of what we consider the most incredible beaches and paradisiacal Cays in Cuba . A good tip : always carry sunscreen and a good repellent against mosquitoes!
1 PLAYA SIRENA, the best beach in CubaLocated in Cayo Largo del Sur, 188 km away from Havana (as the crow flies), Playa Sirena is rated by some as the most beautiful beach in Cuba.
In 2019, it was included in # 9 on the list of National Geographic including 40 best beaches in the world. In just over 2km in length, an impressive electric blue sea stretches, with dunes of finer sand than those of Cancun or the Maldives.
If you want to enjoy a panoramic video of the immense beaches of Cayo Largo de Sur do not miss this link, they are incredible!
For nature lovers, this is the ideal place, as you can also enjoy the incredible spectacle of the turtle spawning. Night excursions are organized from the Turtle Farm and the Experimental Breeding Center for Sea Turtles during the nesting season of these animals. In addition, there is an enclosure where visitors can interact with dolphins, in a very respectful way and under the supervision and guidance of professional trainers.
The seabed is equally surprising, and invites you to enjoy water activities such as diving or snorkeling. An earthly paradise where coconut trees, multicolored corals and starfish also abound.
As a throwback, the resorts in the area are not high-end. They are rather simple 3 and 4 stars, but you really forget this before the spectacle of colors that its waters and beaches offer you.
2 PLAYA ESMERALDA, an exotic and charming beachJust 5 km west of Guardalavaca, in Holguín province, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean is located. This idyllic beach, shaped like a half moon, owes its name –Emerald– to the light green color of its waters.
Being 1km long, this is a paradise surrounded by cliffs, and by lagoons and lush vegetation. It is not a public beach (only for guests staying at neighboring resorts). However, we recommend it because it is one of the most charming and exotic places in Cuba. Also, of course, the sunsets from this beach are incredible.
This beach is part of an impressive nature reserve located in the vicinity of Bahía de Naranjo. So you cannot miss the views from the viewpoint of the Peñón de Bahía de Naranjo, after touring the La Guanas ecological trail, or make a horseback ride through the Bahia de Bariay National Park. 3 PLAYA PERLA BLANCA, the jewel of Cayo Santa María
Without a doubt, the beaches of the cays of Cuba have an enhanced charm. Peace and tranquility is what you will find in this almost virgin beach, which covers just the tip of Cayo Santa María, in the province of Villa Clara, in the northern Cays.
In its shallow waters you can admire the splendid coral from Cuba. Also the thousands of colorful fish that live in its warm waters. Meanwhile you can do fun water activities such as snorkeling or diving. And at sunset, why not, a nice excursion to the magical sunset on a catamaran.
Cayo Santa María is an area that we like to recommend to our travelers on their trips. By distance, its beaches are relatively close to Havana and there are very well-kept hotel facilities. Very close to Perla Blanca is the 5-star luxury resort Meliá Paradisus los Cayos for example, totally A-class.
A dream beach, ideal to get away and live a super romantic adventure in your honeymoon in Cuba; or very funny for a group of friends who decide to tour Cayo Santa María on a catamaran, while enjoying top views, good Cuban music and refreshing cocktails. 4 PLAYA PILAR, imposing dunes in Jardines del Rey
Amazing, beautiful, exceptional, imposing, are some of the adjectives from travelers in Trip Advisor to describe this Cuban beach, and of course from CubaUnique we coincide with them.
It's located in Cayo Guillermo, and belongs to the Ciego de Ávila province. This almost virgin beach has a special feature: it is surrounded by dunes that reach 16 meters high.
Even if you are not staying in Cayo Guillermo, in our tours around Cuba we can include a stop at this dream beach, as it is well worth visiting so that you can relax under the Caribbean sun, enjoying the song of the seagulls and watching the coconut trees swaying in the wind, while tasting a succulent grilled lobster or a very fresh fish, accompanied by congrí and yuca with mojo. 5 PLAYA SANTA LUCÍA, among flamingos and sharks
A typical tropical and Caribbean beach in the province of Camagüey. Its turquoise waters are home to colorful fish species that live on beautiful reefs. You will be able to appreciate them if you dare to dive or snorkel in the second largest coral reef on the planet after the Australian one.
Playa Santa Lucía, located in the center of the island, is one of the main tourist destinations regarding sun and beach in Cuba. It competes with Varadero, not only for the beauty of its waters and its fine sand, but because it extends over 20km.
It is considered a marine-coastal ecosystem. Its waters are full of bull sharks (with which you can swim, on scheduled excursions). It also conserves the largest population of flamingos of the Caribbean in the Laguna el Real. This gives it a very special polychromy: the intense pink of the flamingos, the blue tones of the sky and the sea, along with the white sand… you'll be lost for words!!
As this beach is 110 km from the beautiful colonial city of Camagüey, you can combine relaxation at sea with city tours. Thus you will know the interesting history and architecture of Camagüey. From Playa Santa Lucía you can also take the day trip to Cayo Sabinal, to visit another charming beach, Playa Bonita, or the Catamaran tour to Cayo Bayenato del Medio where to observe iguanas in their own habitat.
So, if you are thinking of organizing a trip to Cuba, whether to travel with your family, with your group of friends or with your classmates, with your couple or even in your honey moon, on your own or in one of our tailor made trips, which we do our best to organize in our especialized travel agency, keep following our tips to travel to Cuba without complications and to know about the evolution of COVID-19 situation in Cuba. We suggest some of our most popular organized tours , and, if it is not what you were looking for, we will design your personalized trip, and above all, we suggest that you follow our tips to live the authentic Cuban culture and enjoy its paradisiacal beaches.
Article written by Gabriela Rodríguez, independent Cuban guide.
Video produced and edited by Javier Ernesto Hernández-López.
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