CubaPLUS Magazine

Varadero:

As if lifted from a canvas, Varadero beach captivates at first sight. This most fascinating beach of the Cuban archipelago is a major tourist magnet, not only for its amazing fine white sand, but also for its transparent water. Cuba's "Blue Beach" - almost 20 kilometres long- is located on the Hicacos Peninsula on the northern coast of Matanzas Province.

Varadero offers docks, accommodations in villas, bungalows, hotels and apartment hotels. For those who like to explore the depths of the sea, the resort has 23 areas with a variety of vibrant coral and gorgonians, with many species that astonish even experienced divers. That is Varadero. The magical aquamarine lit by the sun will convince you this is the most beautiful beach in the world.

Nevertheless, there are other beaches adorning Cuba's coasts.

Guardalavaca:

Found on the northeast coast of Holguín Province, Guardalavaca is divided by a one kilometre long cliff and surrounded by a coral reef barrier less than 1.8 metre under the water.

Eastern Beaches:

Along the north western coast, only 30 kilometres east of Havana, are seven beaches known as the Blue Circuit: Bacuranao, Tarara, El Mégano, Santa María del Mar, Boca Ciega, Guanabo and Brisas del Mar.

Santa Lucía:

A beautiful 21-kilometre-long beach on the northern coast of the central-eastern region, Santa Lucía is on the eastern side of Nuevitas Bay. Its coral reef is believed to be the second largest in the world.

Ancón:

Ancón is a lovely beach with pure white sand and clean turquoise water, beautifying the southern and central coast of the Ancon Peninsula in Sancti Spíritus Province. Extensive coral reefs are among its natural attractions.

Bibijagua:

Located six kilometres from Nueva Gerona, north of the Isle of Youth, Bibijagua beach is exotic and famous for its black sand. These owe their color to the sea's erosion of the island's plentiful marble rock.

María La Gorda:

In the inlet of Corrientes on the southeast coast of Guanahacabibes Peninsula, 300 kilometres west of Havana, is the popular María La Gorda beach. This beach is famous for its beautiful white sands, extensive coastal vegetation and with divers for the Caribbean Sea bed and coral reefs. If you seek keys, you will find paradise among the thousands within the Cuban archipelago:

Jardines del Rey: Located in the north of Ciego de Aávila Province, this group of keys, chief among which are Cayos Coco and Guillermo, has more than 200 bird species living in a wondrously beautiful landscape. Its cozy and estful beaches are another reason to enter the breathtaking universe of Jardines del Rey for a perfect retreat from the crowds.

Cayo Largo: Cayo Largo is to the south of the Cuban archipelago on the fortunate Caribbean Sea. This is the ideal paradise to practice water

sports and diving. The waters south of the island are transparent enough to reveal the underlying ocean floor and the sand is very fine, white and permanently fresh.

Cayos Saetía and Naranjo:

These keys, located in Nipe Bay, Holguín, are the largest in Cuba and offer the opportunity to not only enjoy exotic flora and fauna but an aquarium in the middle of the sea. Cayo Saetía spreads over 42 kilometres with 12 virgin beaches and crystal-clear waters great for diving.

Cayos Santa María, Las Brujas and Ensenachos:

This astounding beach trilogy is linked to Villa Clara Province by a causeway 48 kilometres long. UNESCO has declared this region a biosphere reserve. Santa María, Las Brujas and Ensenachos all combine the best of tourism with the best of nature with their fine white sand and clear waters. Some declare Cayo Las Brujas the most beautiful of the three, while protected and always-tranquil Cayo Ensenachos is the smallest.