Varadero
According to topschoolsintheusa, Varadero is the most popular resort in Cuba. Its picturesque white sand beaches and azure waters of the Atlantic coast are among the three cleanest beaches in the world. Fabulous sea depths and reefs with its inhabitants will not leave indifferent diving enthusiasts, and the Ambrosio Cave with rock paintings and the national park are great vacation spots.
It is 20 kilometers of the finest white sand and azure blue ocean waters. The beaches of Varadero are recognized as one of the top three beaches in the world. Today, tourists from all over the world rest here. In addition to beautiful beaches with numerous hotels and entertainment, Varadero has a lot of natural wealth, such as fabulous sea depths and reefs with its inhabitants, Ambrosio Cave with rock paintings, Varadero National Park.
The resort is located on the north coast (Atlantic Ocean) 140 km from Havana in the province of Matanzas, about three hours drive from Havana airport. The international airport is also located here.
Along Varadero there are the most luxurious hotels of well-known hotel chains with a European level of service. Today, here you can find hotels for every taste, ranging from 3 *, standing at the very edge of the sea, and ending with the most luxurious 5 * hotels with professional 18-hole golf courses. The hotel complexes are located here along a narrow isthmus 18 km long and only 700 m wide, admiring huge beaches with tropical palm trees, clear waters and fine sand. Despite the fact that Varadero is one of the most popular resorts in Cuba, the beaches are never crowded, because. thanks to their length, there is a place for everyone here. Most of the hotel complexes in Varadero have European management, which guarantees service here according to the highest international standards.
Cayo Santa Maria
The island of Cuba Cayo Santa Maria is located in the Atlantic Ocean, near the islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, opposite the northern coast of the province of Villa Clara.
Cayo Santa Maria is connected to the mainland by a 48.6 km long causeway. Near the island of Cayo Santa Maria are the small islands of Las Brujas and Ensenchos. All three islands have beautiful beaches with soft white sand and very clear water. Their picturesque surroundings are great places for fishing, diving, water sports and boat trips along the canals that separate the islets.
The underwater world of Cayo Santa Maria attracts many snorkellers who can see many types of coral fish here. A complex of tourist hotels has been built on the island, where their guests will be provided with European-level service. Here you can practice various water sports, as well as play tennis, ping-pong, mini-bowling, billiards, beach football and volleyball, water polo, basketball, get diving lessons in the pool, ride bicycles and even shoot archery. Mini-clubs and playgrounds are equipped for children, while adults can take several dance and Spanish lessons at this time. And in the evening, a variety of entertainment programs are held.
Cayo Coco
Cayo Coco – the fourth largest island of Cuba – is located in the Atlantic Ocean opposite the northern coast of the province of Ciego de Avila, 830 km east of Cuba, and is connected to the main island by a 20-kilometer road passing through the sea. Cayo Coco is connected to the “mainland” by a road passing through the Bay of Dogs (Bahia de Perros) along an artificial embankment. Similar roads connect Cayo Coco with Cayo Guillermo in the west and with Cayo Romana in the east.
Cayo Coco – the most isolated resort in Cuba from civilization – is a protected area. Cayo Coco has a rich and practically untouched nature. The interior of the island is wild and is home to a variety of birds, including pelicans, flamingos and the snow-white bird “Coco”, which gave the island its name.
More than 26 km of beaches stretch to the north. Among them are the curved coastlines of La Jaula, Los Flamencos and Las Colorados, which are ideal for boating. There is no airport on Cayo Coco, but there is in the nearby city of Ciego de Avila, from where it is easy to get to the island.
The name of the island has nothing to do with coconuts. It comes from the Cuban name for the ibis, coco, a bird worshiped in ancient Egypt. However, another bird seems to be becoming more popular on the island, which was on the verge of extinction in the 70s. After intensive recovery, pink flamingos have returned to the island, their population here is now about 30,000 individuals. There is nothing more beautiful than a flock of flamingos rising in a pink cloud above the mirror waters and disappearing on the horizon. No wonder one of the most beautiful beaches on the island is called “Flamingo Beach”. The island houses comfortable hotels of international chains. Basically, these are hotels of the Spanish Sol Melia system. For tourists, of course, living in them turns into a heavenly pleasure. All hotels on the island operate under the All Inclusive system. Everything is included in the price: from drinks and food to sports entertainment.
Cayo Largo
The resort of Cayo Largo is located almost in the center of the Cuban archipelago, 177 kilometers from Havana and 170 kilometers from Varadero. Its area of 38 sq. km – one of the favorite vacation spots for divers in Cuba. The reefs of Cayo Largo are adorned with all kinds of Caribbean corals, gorgonians and sea sponges, and hiking around the island will reveal hundreds of diverse representatives of tropical fauna. Here you can see a wide variety of birds – from the majestic flamingo and graceful gray heron to tiny swift hummingbirds.
The southern coast of this island is a vast beach with a length of 27 km, covered with the finest white sand.
There are two diving centers “Cayo Largo del Sur” and “Playa Sirena”, and close to the local beaches there are about 30 dive points. Under water is the second largest barrier reef in the world, barracudas, groupers, blue marlins, spiny lobsters and lobsters swim. Visibility in clear clear water is 80 meters.
Comfortable hotels on Cayo Largo side by side with small, rough work, holiday houses. But, despite the “wild” appearance, they are equipped with all the amenities of modern life.
Guardalavaca
Guardalavaca is the most famous beach area in the province of Holguin. Only here you can find the most beautiful combination of lush vegetation, snow-white beaches and emerald waters of the Atlantic. In the coral reef (900 m from the coast) there are representatives of the richest flora and fauna. It is also an interesting object for diving enthusiasts. Lovers of history and culture will also find something to do here. And, most importantly, you will be delighted with the hospitality and friendliness of the Cubans. Playa Esmeralda (Emerald Beach) is the most famous in Guardalavaca. It impresses with its magnificent nature, the whiteness of the finest sand, and together with all this splendor it offers wonderful hotels with first-class service and a wide range of services from water sports to an extensive excursion program, and in the evening, incendiary music sounds from everywhere – the stormy resort life does not stop here until the morning. For more than 40 km of coastline, there are 41 beaches, among which foreign tourists prefer the beaches of Guardalavaca, Playa Esmeralda and Playa Pesquero. Here is Banes, considered the archaeological capital of Cuba, since more than anywhere else in the archipelago, traces of aboriginal habitation have been found here. Here is the highest mountain peak of Cuba, there are many caves and rivers, mountains, waterfalls and natural springs. Not far from the coast stretches a coral reef – a place of pilgrimage for all diving enthusiasts who come to these parts. The underwater world of the reef is unusually rich, and, in addition, there are unusually interesting forms of relief of the seabed – many underwater caves, rocks, wide valleys and terraces, completely overgrown with thickets of corals – gorgonians. Dolphins often appear in this area. La Mensura National Park is part of the Nipe Cristal mountain system and is located at an altitude of 600 m above sea level. Ideal for lovers of adventure and ecological tourism.
