Discover the 5 Breathtaking Beaches in Cuba
Cuba is the largest of all the Caribbean islands and a magical country south of Key West, Florida. The enchanted land is part of almost all bucket lists, and how it can’t. Cuba’s colonial cities have barely changed, but they feel as great as ever, with shabby facades occasionally covered in gold dust.
Courtesy of Cuba’s idealized vision of a world in which Cubans and tourists never collide, the country’s coastal towns have been dismembered and labeled tourist beaches and local beaches. Traveling to Cuba can often feel like you’re trapped in a time of splendid architecture and cobbled streets telling stories from when pirates chased the Caribbean.
Playa Paraiso
Playa Paraiso, also known as Paradise Beach, is a beautiful, almost pristine beach known for its pristine white sand coast and sparkling turquoise waters. Playa Paraiso was voted the third most beautiful beach in the world by Traveler’s Choice in 2016 and is famous for some of the calmest waters in the island state of Cuba.
Although most of the adventures are in Playa Sirena, the beach line at Paradise Beach offers a calm atmosphere and a perfect vacation from the otherwise bustle of an ordinary Cuban beach town.
Varadero Beach
One of Cuba’s most popular beaches is Varadero Beach, known as a complete package for a rejuvenating Cuban beach vacation. The beautiful, almost 25 km long white sandy beach stretches across the peninsula. To top it all off, the narrow width of the peninsula ensures that the beach is always just a few steps away.
Although Varadero cannot be called a traditional Cuban place. All because of the extreme influx of tourists and the abundance of tourist activities. To take a break from beach activities, visit the numerous museums and art galleries, spend an evening in the lounge, and make friends in the bars and cafes.
Cayo Las Brujas
The closest to the mainland, the Cayo Las Brujas houses the only marina in the area and houses the cheapest hotels and the beach, making it both economical and accessible. The first left turn leads you to the marina via the Hotel Villas Las Brujas.
Only guests and day pass holders can access the beach from here if asked to present their passports. Others take the second left turn and land at the eastern end of the same beach, although the one at the hotel is slightly better. Cayo Ensenachos and Cayo Santa Maria.
Cayo Santa Maria
A dolphinarium, two quays, Cayo Las Brujas and Cayo Ensenachos, and several beaches behind are the breathtaking 15 km white, shiny sand and clear water of Cayo Santa Maria. The Jardines del Rey, Cayo Santa Maria, is part of a more extensive archipelago home to one of the most unspoiled beaches in the northern cays, Playa Perla Blanca.
Although getting to Playa Perla Blanca is a bit of a hike, Fidel Castro, former Prime Minister of Cuba, allegedly claimed Cayo Santa Maria was better than Varadero Beach. Playa Las Gaviotas beach in the northeast is supported by the lush vegetation of the Cayo Santa Maria Wildlife Refuge, home to birds like the Cuban trogon.
Playa Guardalavaca
It is said that Christopher Columbus described Guardalavaca as the most beautiful place he had ever seen. Although we can’t unquestioningly trust his wisdom, Playa Guardalavaca is a sight to behold.
One thousand five hundred meters of glistening white sand, rolling hills, and green fields full of palm trees, sea grapes, and tamarind adorn the beach scenery, making the Playa beautiful and just as natural. Unlike other tourist-oriented beach towns, the beach is as popular with the locals as it is with tourists, who give the whole area a pleasant and surreal Cuban feel.