Crystal-clear waters, powdery white sand, and a serene, warm atmosphere define Playa Pilar, a breathtaking beach located on Cayo Guillermo, an island off the northern coast of Ciego de Ávila in Central Cuba.
In 2024, Playa Pilar ranked 11th among the world’s best beaches, based on visitor reviews and votes on the renowned travel platform TripAdvisor.
One of Playa Pilar’s most distinctive features is its towering sand dunes, the highest in the Caribbean, rising 15 meters above sea level. These dunes have been designated a Protected Natural Landmark due to their ecological importance.
The underwater world surrounding Playa Pilar is equally mesmerizing, with vibrant coral formations and a dazzling variety of colorful fish. Located near the second-largest coral reef on the planet, the area is a paradise for divers and snorkelers alike.
To preserve the delicate dune ecosystem, wooden walkways wind through seagrape trees, coconut palms, mastic shrubs, and other endemic vegetation, guiding visitors from the lush greenery to the crystal-clear waters without disturbing the natural surroundings.
With over a kilometer of soft sand, gentle waves, and warm, inviting waters, Playa Pilar offers an idyllic retreat where visitors can relax and enjoy the rhythmic embrace
of the ocean.
Playa Pilar’s natural beauty and tranquility captivated Ernest Hemingway, the Nobel Prize-winning author, during his time in Cuba. While navigating the waters around the island in search of German submarines during World War II, Hemingway fell in love with Cayo Guillermo’s untouched landscapes.
The beach’s name, Pilar, was inspired by the writer’s beloved yacht, El Pilar, from which he often fished in the area. This same location inspired his novel “Islands in the Stream,” a work that vividly describes the Cuban coastline.
Today, a sculpture of Hemingway stands at the entrance of Cayo Guillermo’s pier, greeting visitors with an outstretched hand—a symbolic welcome to the paradise he once cherished.
Covering just 13 square kilometers, Cayo Guillermo is part of the Jardines del Rey tourist region, located about 500 kilometers east of Havana. This enchanting destination left a lasting impression on Hemingway, who once remarked:
“Look, Guillermo, how green and full of promise it is... I have discovered where the ibises come to feed.” His words reflect the profound admiration he felt for this pristine corner of Cuba, a place where nature’s beauty remains as captivating today as it was in his time.
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