CubaPLUS Magazine

If there is one thing that especially defines Cuba as a destination, and I would dare say that 99.99 percent of people love it, it is sun-and-beach tourism. The largest of the Antilles, known as the Pearl of the Caribbean, boasts more than 300 beaches, each one more beautiful than the last.

Cuba is truly one of the Caribbean’s premier sun-and-beach destinations. Beyond its climate, which feels like summer almost all year round, with average temperatures between 26 and 28°C, it also has one of the longest coastlines in the region.

With more than 5,600 kilometers of coastline, Cuban beaches offer visitors a wide variety of vacation possibilities. Most are true paradises, with long stretches of fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.

For those who enjoy water sports, Cuba offers endless opportunities. Sailing, fishing, surfing, diving, and snorkeling are available to visitors in most beach destinations.

Some of Cuba’s Most Beautiful Beaches
 
Playa Sirena

Located in Cayo Largo del Sur, part of the Archipiélago de los Canarreos, Playa Sirena stretches for just over two kilometers. It is the largest beach on the islet, and its unmatched beauty enchants anyone with its untouched appearance, fine white sand, and wonderful warm waters that hide the allure of stunning underwater landscapes.

Tour operators recommend beginning your visit at the point where you can immediately encounter playful dolphins, then continuing along the divine shoreline until returning to the dolphinarium from another section of the coast. With luck, at a charming part of the beach called Punta Playa Sirena, visitors may spot starfish resting on the sand.

Cayo Largo del Sur, at the easternmost end of Los Canarreos, belongs to Isla de la Juventud, whose capital lies about 135 kilometers away. Within its small area of 37.5 square kilometers and 25 kilometers in length, it is almost entirely made up of paradise-like beaches, including gems such as Playa Paraíso, which, together with Sirena, is the most accessible for tourism. There is also Playa Lindamar in the south, near the Villa Lindamar complex, and more untouched beaches such as Playa Punta Mal Tiempo in the southwest, Playa Blanca, Playa Los Cocos, Playa Tortuga to the east, and Playa Luna to the northeast of the cay.

Very close to Playa Sirena, tourists can stay in magnificent All-Inclusive hotels such as Memories Cayo Largo, Sanctuary at Grand Memories Cayo Largo, and Starfish Cayo Largo, all offering every comfort required and, above all, wonderful sea views that make the stay even more pleasant.

Without a doubt, Playa Sirena is made for those who truly love an exquisite sea bath, especially when shared with noble dolphins, something particularly attractive for nature lovers and for those seeking a closer connection with marine life.

Playa Ancón

It’s a beautiful beach resort located on Cuba’s southern coast just 12 kilometers from Trinidad, is known for its fine white sand stretching over four kilometers and crystal-clear waters that create an ideal setting for relaxation and water sports.

Surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery, with mountains and tropical vegetation, its nearby seabeds invite diving and snorkeling among reefs filled with tropical fish, sea urchins, and corals.

Playa Ancón also offers excellent conditions for boat rides and catamaran excursions, as well as trips to learn more about the area’s marine life.

From there, visitors can also explore Trinidad, one of Cuba’s most beautiful and authentic colonial cities, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Guardalavaca

Located in the eastern province of Holguín, Guardalavaca is one of Cuba’s most famous beaches because of its unique beauty and peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal destination both for sea lovers and for those seeking a peaceful retreat.

A strip of sand about 40 meters wide and just over 1,300 meters long shapes the beach, whose name captures the attention of every visitor.

According to local legends, there are two stories behind its name. The first relates it to pirate activity in the Caribbean between the 16th and 18th centuries, as it was said to be a favorite place for buccaneers to hide their treasures, also called “vacas.” Another, perhaps more realistic version, connects the name to the warning locals would shout when raiders approached by sea. The cry “Guarda la Vaca” warned everyone of the danger they represented.

Guardalavaca is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, adding a vibrant green touch to the stunning sea views. Its waters are generally calm, making them perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Among its attractions is its proximity to several historical and natural sites, such as Bahía de Naranjo Nature Park, where visitors can enjoy water activities and explore the rich marine biodiversity.

It also offers several resorts and hotels, many of them all-inclusive, providing high-quality service with every required comfort, including direct beach access, while local restaurants serve an excellent variety of traditional Cuban dishes, including fresh seafood and regional specialties.
 
Santa Lucía

Located in the province of Camagüey, Santa Lucía beach is one of the most peaceful and paradise-like destinations in the country. Situated about 110 kilometers north of the provincial capital, this beach features crystal-clear jade-colored waters and dazzling white sand lined with coconut palms along its 20 kilometers of coastline.

That is why those who visit for the first time often say it is a destination they will always return to. Its almost untouched natural surroundings make it a perfect place for rest and connection with nature.

One of the main features that makes Santa Lucía special is its extensive coral reef stretching 20 kilometers along the coast. This system, one of the largest in the Caribbean and the second largest in the world, is home to rich marine biodiversity, attracting divers and sea lovers from every corner of the globe. In addition, the transparency of the water provides extraordinary visibility, making it easier to explore colorful reefs, tropical fish, and many other marine species.
 
Varadero

Located about 140 kilometers east of Havana, with its turquoise sea, crystal-clear waters, and fine white sand stretching across 25 kilometers, Varadero is considered by many to be the dream Caribbean beach.

The country’s main vacation destination after the capital, it offers more than 60 hotels with around 21,400 rooms, 80 percent of them in four- and five-star properties.

This magnificent resort area also offers many other attractions, including the The Beatles Bar, the Tropicana Matanzas cabaret a few kilometers away, the Varadero Golf Club, as well as more than 50 restaurants and cafés of different styles, including private establishments.

For lovers of nautical activities, the blue beach offers everything and more: two international marinas with around 1,400 berths, 32 diving sites, two nautical centers, and two dolphinariums, one of them located offshore and accessible during excursions to Cayo Blanco, a paradise islet where tourists can also swim with dolphins. These are recreational options impossible to ignore.

The prestige of this beautiful Cuban beach is not recent; it has existed for generations. This is confirmed by the countless international recognitions and awards it has received. To mention only the most recent, at the beginning of this year it was announced that Varadero ranked third in the Caribbean according to the Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best awards, and it is also listed among the 25 best beaches in the world.

For all these reasons, Varadero had rightfully earned its place as the host of the 44th edition of the International Tourism Fair, FITCuba, the most important tourism event held each year in Cuba and one of the leading events in the Caribbean region.