ile
Cayo Coco
One of the most beautiful coral islands in the Caribbean, linked to the mainland by a 27 km causeway across turquoise waters — a confidential beach paradise, more natural than Varadero.
Cayo Coco is a flat coral island of 370 km² in the Jardines del Rey archipelago, off north-east Cuba, facing the province of Ciego de Ávila. Linked to the mainland by a spectacular 27 km causeway built in 1988 (the pedraplén) crossing the Bay of Perros and snaking between flamingos, it forms — together with neighbouring Cayo Guillermo — Cuba's second all-inclusive beach hub after Varadero.
The island takes its name from the brown pelican (coco in local Spanish), which abounds here, and belongs to the protected marine area of Jardines del Rey. Over 200 bird species live here — pink flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) particularly spectacular in the inland lagoons, herons, ibises, pelicans, terns, frigatebirds. The marine fauna is equally remarkable: the Jardines del Rey coral reef is the second longest in the world after the Belize Barrier Reef, sheltering over 50 coral species, green turtles, barracudas, groupers and even hammerhead sharks.
The Pilar beach (5 km west on Cayo Guillermo) is considered one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean — extraordinarily fine white sand, transparent turquoise sea, sand dunes (the highest in the Caribbean, up to 15 m), coral reef accessible on foot 200 m from shore. Hemingway, who fished regularly in the area, immortalised Cayo Guillermo in his novel Islands in the Stream. The Los Flamencos beach (on Cayo Coco itself) and Las Coloradas beach round out the offering — all deserted outside the resort zones.
What we love
- ✅Pilar beach (Cayo Guillermo): one of the Caribbean's top 10 beaches, white sand and turquoise water
- ✅Jardines del Rey coral reef: world's second-longest reef, exceptional snorkelling and diving
- ✅Unique fauna: flamingos in the lagoons, 200+ bird species, green turtles
- ✅More natural and less touristy than Varadero, stronger sense of isolation
- ✅Quality all-inclusive resorts, some upper 5-star (Iberostar, Meliá, Pullman)
What to know
- ❌Extreme isolation: 500 km from Havana, only flight or long road transfer
- ❌Limited off-island excursions (Trinidad 4-5h, Santa Clara 3h) — resort formula mandatory
- ❌No Cuban authenticity: 100% tourist island, local population absent
- ❌Higher cost than Varadero (domestic flights, long transfers, pricier resorts)
Situation
Où se situe Cayo Coco ?
Ouvrir la carte en grand sur OpenStreetMap →Frequently asked questions
How many nights should you spend in Cayo Coco?+
How do you get to Cayo Coco?+
Which resort to choose at Cayo Coco or Cayo Guillermo?+
Are the coral reef and diving worth it?+
Can you see flamingos?+
Our verdict
Cayo Coco is the wilder, more natural and more exclusive version of the Cuban beach formula. Pilar beach is probably the finest in Cuba (and one of the best in the Caribbean), the Jardines del Rey coral reef offers exceptional snorkelling and the lagoon flamingos add a unique naturalist dimension. The flip side: extreme isolation, no Cuban authenticity, higher cost than Varadero. Recommended for 5-7 nights alongside a cultural Havana stay (3 nights minimum) — internal flight on Cubana or Aerogaviota for the transfer (1h, €80-150).
Nearby
"Janvier est le meilleur mois à Cayo Coco : 27 °C en journée, mer turquoise calme, flamants roses dans les lagunes. Les resorts sont pleins, réservation 6 mois à l'avance."
Expert on Cayo Coco · 1 contributions
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor