Region

Cayos and Beaches

Three major beach hubs on Cuba's finest beaches — fine white sand, turquoise sea, coral reefs and quality all-inclusive resorts for absolute rest.

★ 4.40

Cayos and Beaches groups together Cuba's three major beach hubs — Varadero (a 20 km peninsula 140 km east of Havana, the country's emblematic resort), Cayo Coco (coral island in the Jardines del Rey archipelago, in the north-east, 500 km from Havana) and Cayo Largo del Sur (coral island off the south coast, accessible by flight). These destinations share a single pitch: beaches among the most beautiful in the Caribbean, calm warm turquoise sea year-round, and a concentration of all-inclusive resorts (4 and 5 star) enabling a comfortable beach stay without logistical worry.

The pitch is clear: these destinations are the antithesis of authentic Cuban experience — closed tourist enclaves where local population is marginal and daily Cuban life is invisible. That is precisely their appeal: an easy, comfortable beach destination where families with children or less adventurous travellers can enjoy Cuba's wonderful beaches without the constraints (shortages, transport, language) of the rest of the country. Most stays are sold as all-inclusive packages (direct charter flight from Europe + transfer + all-inclusive resort) at €800-2,500 per person for one week depending on season and category.

Varadero is the most accessible and most developed resort — 50+ resorts, international airport (VRA) 15 min away, easy transfers from Havana (140 km, 2h by taxi), Havana day trip possible. 20 km of white sand beach, decent snorkelling, complete infrastructure. The best for combining culture (Havana) and beach. Cayo Coco is more natural and more isolated — coral island in the Jardines del Rey archipelago, deserted beaches, coral reef (world's second longest), pink flamingos in the inland lagoons. More expensive and more remote (500 km from Havana, internal flight recommended), it offers a more exclusive beach stay. Cayo Largo del Sur is the most exclusive — coral island off Cuba's southern coast accessible only by flight (1h from Havana), beaches among the most beautiful in the Caribbean (Playa Sirena, Playa Paraíso), green turtles, wild dolphins. Even pricier but absolute beach paradise.

Explore Cayos and Beaches

When to go

Climate and best seasons to visit the region.

View →

Things to do

Must-see sites and headline activities.

View →

Getting around

Transport, distances and practical tips.

View →

Spots in the region

Situation

Où se situe Cayos and Beaches ?

Ouvrir la carte en grand sur OpenStreetMap →

Frequently asked questions

Varadero, Cayo Coco or Cayo Largo: which to choose?+

__Varadero__ for ease — 2h from Havana (private taxi €90-110), international airport (direct charters), 50+ resorts, Havana day trip possible. Ideal for combining culture (3-4 nights Havana) + beach (4-5 nights Varadero) in 1 week. __Cayo Coco__ for nature and exclusivity — coral island in the Jardines del Rey archipelago, exceptional coral reef, flamingos, upmarket 5-star resorts. Pricier and more isolated (domestic flight recommended from Havana). __Cayo Largo del Sur__ for absolute paradise — wild coral island, beaches among the most beautiful in the Caribbean, but extreme isolation (only direct charter or domestic flight from Havana).

Should you combine the Cayos with Havana or stay all week at the resort?+

__Combine, absolutely__. A stay entirely in a Varadero or Cayos resort misses the essence of Cuba — you'll leave without having met a single Cuban, seen a 1950s American car, or heard live salsa. Classic combo: 3-4 nights in Havana (UNESCO Habana Vieja, Malecón, salsa, casas de la música, classic cars) + 4-5 nights in Varadero or Cayo Coco (beach relaxation). With 10 nights, add Viñales (2 nights, UNESCO tobacco valley) for a complete Cuban experience.

What are the best resorts in the Cayos?+

In __Varadero__ (peninsula tip km 14-20): __Iberostar Selection Varadero__ (5-star, adults only), __Royalton Hicacos__ (5-star), __Meliá Internacional__ (5-star, iconic). In __Cayo Guillermo__ (Cayo Coco's neighbour, Pilar beach): __Iberostar Selection Daiquirí__ and __Meliá Cayo Guillermo__. In __Cayo Coco__: __Pullman Cayo Coco__ (Accor, upper 5-star), __Meliá Cayo Coco__ (adults only). In __Cayo Largo__: __Sol Cayo Largo__ and __Be Live Cayo Largo__ (limited upmarket options). Always check recent reviews — Cuban shortages particularly affect mid-range hotels.

Are snorkelling and diving worth it in the Cayos?+

Yes, especially in __Cayo Coco__ which benefits from the __Jardines del Rey coral reef__ — the world's second longest after Belize, accessible directly from Pilar and Las Coloradas beaches (reef 100-200 m out). Snorkelling from shore: depth 2-5 m, visibility 15-25 m, abundant coral fauna. Diving organised by ACUA/Marlin centres (€50-90 for 2 dives). In __Varadero__, snorkelling is decent but no more — prefer excursions to outer Cayos or the Cueva de Saturno (freshwater cave diving). __Cayo Largo__ offers world-class diving (virgin reef, manta rays, occasional hammerhead sharks).

How to get to the Cayos from Europe?+

Three options. __Direct charter flight__ as a package (TUI, Air Transat, Sunwing, Condor) is the most practical and economical option — flight + transfer + all-inclusive resort for €800-2,500 a week depending on season and category. __Scheduled flight to Havana__ (HAV, Air France/Air Caraïbes/Iberia, €600-1,200 return) then transfer to the Cayos: Varadero accessible in 2h by private taxi (€90-110 for 4) or Viazul bus (€10, 3h); Cayo Coco by Cubana domestic flight (€80-150 return) or 6-7h drive; Cayo Largo only by Cubana flight (€100-180 return). Recommended combo for a complete trip: flight Havana + 3 nights Havana + transfer to Cayos for 4-5 beach nights.

What hurricane risk in the Cayos?+

The risk is __serious__ during hurricane season (June-November, peak in September). Cuban Cayos sit on the path of major Atlantic hurricanes: __Irma (2017)__ caused catastrophic damage at Cayo Coco (resorts destroyed, two-year rebuild), __Ian (2022)__ hit the Jardines del Rey archipelago. Varadero has been evacuated several times. If travelling July to October, take out __travel insurance covering hurricanes and cancellations__ and monitor Cuban INSMET bulletins. High season (November-April) is entirely safe.

Are there activities beyond the beach in the Cayos?+

Limited, especially at more isolated Cayos (Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo). At __Varadero__: Havana day trip (€60-90, 12h), Cueva de Saturno (€15 entry, freshwater swimming), Matanzas (colonial provincial city, 30 km), Yumurí Valley (excursion €40-60). At __Cayo Coco__: flamingo viewing in lagoons (€15-30, sunrise), Cueva del Jabalí (€15), excursion to Remedios (1h30, charming colonial town) or Trinidad (4-5h, tiring). At __Cayo Largo__: catamaran excursion to Cayo Iguana (endemic iguanas), Casa de las Tortugas (protection centre). Essentials remain beach and water activities (kayak, paddle, diving, parasailing).

Our verdict

Cayos and Beaches is Cuba's easy, comfortable beach option — the antithesis of authentic Cuban experience but a coherent pitch for those wanting sun and beach. The golden rule: do not reduce your Cuban trip to a single beach destination. Always combine with Havana (3-4 nights minimum) so you don't leave without seeing the real Cuba. Our recommendation: Varadero (3-5 nights) for easy combination with Havana via taxi (2h), or Cayo Coco (5-7 nights) for a more exclusive and natural beach experience. Cayo Largo del Sur is the premium option for travellers seeking absolute isolation. All accessible by direct charter flights from Europe in high season.

Cayos and Beaches

Explore Cayos and Beaches

Spots in the region

Situation

Frequently asked questions

Our verdict

Mowando Letter