It is quite a hard task to pick the most beautiful beaches in Cuba… Let’s not forget that the Island of Freedom is a shelter of hundreds of virgin beaches, one better than the other, along the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Caribbean Sea and all the little islands (cayos), that are part of Cuba. In our ranking, which is completely objective and unbiased, we follow a couple of criteria: natural beauty, lack of litter, coral reefs, and last but not least – lack of tourists.
10th place – Boca Ciega Beach in Guanabo
Boca Ciega Beach is covered in almost white fine sand, whiter than many beaches in Varaderо. It is relatively accessible along the highway from Havanа. It is situated 2 km. away from Guanabo in the mouth of Boca Ciega river. In a humid climate, you will be forced to cross the river, which flows into the ocean, while in a dry period you will see a vast coastline since the river will be dried up 20 m before the river mouth. The Boca Ciega Beach is almost at the end of the long coastline, which starts from Tarara and proceeds towards the east beaches of Santa Maria and Guanabo. The east beaches are quite preferred by Havana citizens, party-lovers, musicians, and low-budget tourists. Let’s not forget that the only beach in Havanа is Club Havana Beach, also known as the diplomat’s beach. You should keep in mind that 300 m past the river you will find yourself on a neighbouring gay-friendly beach, so here you need to be careful which shore you are on! :)))
9th place – Ancon Beach next to Тrinidad
We are heading south to the Ancon Beach – part of 5-kilometre coastline, jutting out to the east in between Casilda Bay and the Caribbean Sea. Unfortunately, there are three hotels functioning here and currently /May 2020/ two more are in progress. This is the reason why the Ancon Beach is a bit behind in our list. Nevertheless, the coastline is long and wide enough, covered with golden fine sand (a bit coarse towards the hotels) and it is shallow enough with a sandy bottom. The coral-lovers will need to go west towards the village of Boca, where 20 m into the sea they will see extraordinary coral formations.
8th place – Guardalavakа Beach
We are heading east close to the place, where Christopher Columbus found America. There is a summer resort here on the Atlantic shore located almost 40 km north of Houlgin, East Cuba. Guardalavaca literally means “guard the cow”. The coastline is not too long, but it is covered in fine white sand and reefs. The formations start around 100-150 m away from the shore.
7th place – the beach in front of Hotel Melia Internacional, Varaderо
Varaderо, undoubtedly, is the most popular beach destination in Cuba, but the beaches here are almost like all “standard” Cuban beaches. However, there is an enchanting place in front of the Melia Internacional Hotel. Being one of the first hotels in the most popular Cuban resort, its location was definitely not chosen randomly. The former Hotel Melia International in the socialistic style is now fully renovated and is a part of the Melia Varadero 5* chain. It is a wonderful spot with white fine sand 200 m in front. However, there are a lot of tourists there, which places the beach there as 7th on our list.
6th place – the beaches of Cаyo Santa Maria
Wouldn’t it be fascinating to drive along a highway in the sea amidst blue-green water? In order to reach Cayo Santa Maria, you will pass almost 50 bridges to the north into the Atlantic Ocean. The building of the Cayo Santa Maria resort starts towards the end of the 80s. The almost 50-kilometer road crosses the town of Kabairen and Las Brujas International Airport and reaches the island of Cayo Santa Maria. Cayo Santa Maria boasts wonderful white beaches and around the 10-kilometer long coastline. There are quite a few hotels in the resort, however, they are built in the inner part of the island so they will not interfere with you indulging in its treasures of nature. The reefs are relatively far out at the ocean.
5th place – Cayo Coco. The beaches of Kayo Guillermo.
Like Cayo Santa Maria you will reach the beaches of Cayo Coco through a highway in the sea, which is around 30-kilometer long. The small island of Cayo Guillermo is situated in the westernmost part of Cayo Coco in the Ciego de Avila Province. The almost white sand and the crystal clear blue and green waters of the Gardens of the King archipelago are a treat to enjoy there. In addition, you will find fewer hotels. The beaches here are the best in the Cayo Coco area.
4th place – Sirena Beach, Cayo Largо
We are heading again to the Caribbean shores to set our eyes on a huge beach with a lot of palm trees – a genuine postcard picture. The Sirena Beach /Playa Sirena/ is categorized as a protected area and therefore building here is prohibited. The beach is exceptionally wide and long and almost empty of tourists. The beach ends in a sand scythe, jutting out into the sea, while numerous starfishes and all kinds of gay fish dance amidst the blue and green waters just a few meters away. Are you ready to fall in love?
3th place – Cayo Saetia, Holguin
Its location and beauty are incredible – it is not surprising that the Cuban leader, who changed the world, Fidel Castro used to have a country house here, where he could distance himself from everyone and everything. The island is situated 120 km south-east from Holguin, Cuba at the beginning of the Nipe Bay and it is as big as 42 sq m. Actually, in Cuba they use the word “cayo” for a small island. I can’t think of another place in Cuba, where you can experience a real African safari with antelopes, zebras, and ostriches. Here you will find only one small hotel and complete solitude.
2nd place – Punta Frances Beach, The Island of Youth
Punta Frances can be easily ranked as number one on our list! It is a reserve, situated in the western part of the southernmost and biggest island in Cuba. What is unique about this place is the fact that it is very hard to reach. First, you need to get to the biggest island in the aquatorium of Cuba on a plane or by ship from Batabano. However, for access to the south part of the Island of Youth you need to have a special document (ticket) or to join a monitored excursion.
This little piece of heaven is absolutely uninhabited by people! Iguanas are scuffling a few meters away, hutias are chasing one after another, and if you take a few steps along the flour-white sand into the sea, hundreds of little crabs will scamper away madly into their holes. In the crystal clear waters, you will also see turtles laying their eggs during migration. The endless coastline of white sand and transparent sea provokes many of those lucky enough to visit this place to stay here forever. Fortunately, no one has decided on this yet – the closest inhabited spot is the fishermаn village of Cocodrilo, established by settlers from the Cayman Islands.
1st place – Paraiso Beach, Cayo Largо
Deservedly or not, we rank the Playa Paraiso Beach, which translated means “the heavenly beach”, as the number one among the beaches in Cuba. There are probably other similar beaches here, but the sand dunes, forming small bays in the sea, the infinite tranquility, the clear water, the blue-green horizon and the lack of people crown this beach on the Caribbean island of Cayo Largo in Cubа as the best beach in our ranking. You can get there along a sandy road amidst the dunes. There is only one bar nearby, where they serve fresh Mochito and Cuba Libre, and the bar, of course, doesn’t have any electricity… Places like this formed my personal life motto: life is wonderful but long…
