The Cayos, Cuba

Los Cayos, Cuba is waiting for you to enjoy its paradisiacal beaches and and nature with all expenses included

The Cayos, Cayo Largo Cuba
© Genchi

Los Cayos de Cuba (The Cays of Cuba) combine the wonderful Caribbean beaches with crystal-clear waters and fine white sands with exuberant nature where you can get lost and disconnect during your vacation to Cuba.

You can find these keys all over Cuba. Their great diversity will allow you to enjoy a unique experience in each one, disconnect in the most paradisiacal beaches and their luxurious resorts, get to know the different landscapes of the smaller keys, and go on excursions where you can dive and snorkel to appreciate the incredible seabed made up of monumental coral reefs, exotic starfish and colorful tropical fish, among many other natural wonders.

A unique feature of the Cays is that much of its territory is virgin, without human intervention. So you can enjoy pure nature environments, with a wonderful biodiversity and entertaining aquatic and land activities.

Index:

What is the best Cay in Cuba?
How to get to the Cays of Cuba?
What is there to do in the Cays of Cuba?
What are the living accommodations in the Cays Cuba?

What is the best Cay in Cuba?

Cayo Santa María, Cuba
© Dmitry Kostin

In Cuba there are many Cays of different sizes and ecosystems. In the Cayerias del Norte (Northern Cays) and the closest to Havana we can find the paradisiacal Cayo Santa María (Santa María Cay), which in addition to having incredible beaches, offers alternatives to nature tourism, especially in its southern zone, a place where the virginity of the land attracts attention for its endemic flora and fauna.

Thanks to the Pedraplén that connects the Caibarién with Cayo Santa María, you can visit other keys in this area, such as Cayo Ensenachos and Cayo Las Brujas, which has the second largest coral reef in the world.

Cayo Guillermo
© Cristian Viarisio

In the Archipiélago de Sabana-Camagüey are the famous Jardines del Rey (King's Gardens). Cayo Coco (Coco Cay) and Cayo Guillermo (Guillermo Cay) also stand out here. The first is considered a natural tourist park, which offers everything you need to make your stay in Cuba a unique experience. Here you can swim in any of its beautiful dream beaches, get lost in its landscapes and, since it even has its own international diving center, let your adrenaline flow with water sports.

On the other hand, Cayo Guillermo is a true paradise of incomparable fauna and beauty surrounded by a beautiful landscape of dunes, so walking around it will not leave you indifferent. Likewise, its crystal-clear waters will give you the opportunity to dive into fascinating sea bottoms, so if you are passionate about scuba diving or snorkeling, you will lack time to discover its natural charms.

Next to them, Cayo Cruz (Cruz Cay) stands out, the most peaceful and unspoiled destination of all those in the Jardines del Rey. On the shores of its relaxing and fine beaches you can find exotic wild animals, all of them harmless, worth knowing, such as pelicans, flamingos, sea turtles, dolphins or starfish.

Cayo Sabinal (Sabinal Cay), with its countless animal species, will be another destination to note for your trip to Cuba according to your interests.

Outside the Jardines del Rey archipelago, in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, is the largest of all these Cuban jewels, Cayo Largo del Sur, a land of passage for pirates and corsairs in the past and, today, the perfect place for you to make the most of a unique experience. Thus, among coral reefs, beautiful paradisiacal beaches and beautiful mangroves, you will be able to relax to the maximum among these virgin landscapes that will feel like a true paradise on earth.

On the other hand, Cayo Levisa (Levisa Cay), in Pinar del Río, is one of the destinations you cannot help but choose if your idea is to discover Cuba from its purest side, since, due to its practically virgin environment, it shelters an infinity of spots waiting to be explored. Therefore, if you want to get to know them, you will have to prepare your trip in advance, since there is only one hotel. In addition, you will have the opportunity to take an excursion to Cayo Jutías (Jutías Cay).

In the same way, on the island you will be fortunate enough to be able to make excursions to its most remote islets, such as in the case of the spectacular Cayo Blanco (Cayo Blanco Cay), on which you cannot stay, although you can take advantage of every minute of your visit during an excursion in a catamaran from Varadero.

Another of the most renowned Cays is Cayo Saetía (Saetía Cay), a lush natural park sheltered in the Bahía de Nipe (Nipe Bay), where species of exotic fauna live such as zebras, ostriches, camels, and antelopes, among others. Furthermore there are paradisiacal beaches of white sand, ideal in order to disconnect.

How to get to the Cays of Cuba?

Cayo Coco
© Marie Claude Leclerc

The various ways to get to the keys of Cuba are almost as diverse as the keys themselves, some have an airport, others by pedraplén, and even by catamaran with an open bar.

To get to Cayo Santa María, Cayo Las Brujas and Cayo Ensenachos, you must take the Pedraplén, a narrow road that crosses the sea to get to Cayo Santa María. This great work of engineering is the largest pedraplén in the world and for 48 kilometers you will feel as if you were sailing on the calm sea of Cuba. It was also built in a sustainable way, respecting the marine currents to cause the minimum impact on the maritime ecosystem of the area.

If your intention is to go to the keys located in the Jardines del Rey (Gardens of the King), you will have two options. The first is to take a flight to Jardines del Rey International Airport from Jose Marti International Airport in Havana or from countries such as Mexico, Canada, among others. The second option is by land with a 7-hour trip from Havana. The island is connected to Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Sabinal by a 35-kilometer-long causeway. On the other hand, to get to Cayo Cruz you must do it from Cayo Romano (Romano Cay) by means of the Pedraplén.

There is only one way to visit Cayo Largo del Sur and that is by plane. Once a week there is a flight from Havana, so you can go and enjoy the wonderful environment of this key. There are also one-day excursions that include the transfer but they only last one day. These daily excursions complete their flights by offering individual charter flights; the availability of charter flights is not guaranteed until 24 hours before departure.

In the case of Cayo Levisa, the way to get there is by ferry from Palma Rubia, which lasts about 20 minutes, it is done several times a day so it is not necessary to stay overnight in the place. Cayo Jutías, also in Pinar del Río, can be reached by land, being very easy to get there from the town of Viñales in order to enjoy its beautiful beaches for a day.

To get to Cayo Blanco, you must go on an excursion from Varadero on an entertaining catamaran trip through the crystal-clear tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

What is there to do in the Cays of Cuba?

If you visit Cayo Santa María you will have many activities available to do. For example, the Crucero del Sol (Sun Cruise), an excursion in which you will spend an incredible day. You can visit Cayo Las Brujas, from which a catamaran sets sail through the small keys that form a labyrinth in the sea. The excursion includes swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, and an exquisite lunch of sea flavors.

If you are an animal lover you must visit the Delfinario de Cayo Santa Maria (Dolphinarium of Cayo Santa Maria), one of the best in Cuba where you can enjoy these friendly animals. Do not hesitate to visit the beaches of Cayo Ensenachos, virgin and unique places to enjoy water activities such as diving. You can also leave the key to visit Remedios on an entertaining steam train ride and visit its incredible tobacco factory. Also, pass through Santa Clara to visit the Mausoleum of Che Guevara, a hero of the Cuban Revolution.

BDiving in the Keys of Cuba
© Janna Johns-Friedman

The Jardines del Rey (Gardens of the King) are known worldwide for being one of the best places for scuba diving or snorkeling. This is thanks to its exotic coral reef and incredible variety of tropical fish of many exotic colors. Also in Cayo Coco (Coco Cay) you can find underwater caves. All this is equipped with an international dive center that can help you learn more about this incredible sport and with many dive sites according to your needs. Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo (Guillermo Cay) enjoy an abundance of nature which is why you should visit the Parque Natural del Bagá (Bagá Natural Park) with almost 13 hectares of land where you will be able to observe flamingos and turtles among other species.

What to do in the keys of Cuba
© Xoracio

If you like adventure, you can go to the Rocarena Climbing Center, a modern climbing wall for those who enjoy climbing. Deep-sea fishing is also an entertaining option during your visit to Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo. But there is also room for boating enthusiasts, as you can participate in the excursion, Boat adventure, which allows you to drive motorboats through the south of Cayo Coco and the canals near Cayo Guillermo . Finally, at the Delfinario de Cayo Coco and Delfinario de Cayo Guillermo you can fulfill your dream of swimming with dolphins, while from Cayo Guillermo you can embark on a catamaran to enjoy the safari to Cayo Medio Luna on a special trip with the family.

Cayo Largo is characterized by its incredible landscapes and its activities which are devoted to nature. Here you can explore every corner of the key allowing for the key to surprise you at every turn. For diving lovers, this place is very special thanks to the spectacular coral formations and the amazing tropical fish that inhabit its waters. If you are passionate about nature outside of the water, travel around the island looking for the exotic species that inhabit Cayo Largo del Sur, as it is populated by beautiful iguanas in addition to being an ideal place to stop and admire the hundreds of sea turtles laying their eggs in the warm white sand. Furthermore, you can even decide to fulfill your dream of swimming among dolphins. You can also discover Cayo Rico on a wonderful catamaran excursion. The islet is uninhabited giving you the feeling of total isolation so you can relax and enjoy the wonders of nature.

The excursion to Cayo Blanco is ideal if you like diving and snorkeling. There you can enjoy species such as black coral, in danger of extinction. In addition, you can take a ride on a jet ski to get to know the key from another perspective and closely observe the mangroves that cover the place in a totally virgin and exotic environment, in addition, you can enjoy the best Cuban handicrafts. All this in an incredible excursion that includes a catamaran trip from Varadero, with an open bar and other activities to keep you active during the whole trip.

What are the living accommodations in the Cays Cuba?

The majority of the Cays have living accommodations provided in an all inclusive package,in order that all those who visit the Cays are relaxed, calm, and free of worries.

In Cayo Santa María the lodging is luxuries and exclusive. Within them you will find 5 resorts of 5 stars such as the Hotel Be Live Collection Cayo Santa María, or others administered by Meliá like Memories Paraiso, Melia Las Dunas, Ideal for families with children, as well as Grand Memories Cayo Santa María, Meliá Cayo Santa María, Paradisus Los Cayos and Meliá Buenavista. For those looking for a place to stay only for adults there is the Royalton Cayo Santa María or the modern ROC Lagunas del Mar, in which tranquility and intimacy are highlighted, especially for couples. You also have lodging alternatives in Cayo Ensenachos in the Iberostar Selection Ensenachos, located right on the beach, or you can go to Cayo Las Brujas that has a bunch of options de opciones, with every type of service for your dream vacation.

In the Cayos de Jardines del Rey, you will also find a wide range of lodging options. In Cayo Coco (Coco Cay), the Meliá hotel chain has the Tryp Cayo Coco, Hotel Meliá Cayo Coco (adults only) and Meliá Jardines del Rey. You can also find Pullman Cayo Coco or Sol Cayo Coco hotels, as well as the experiential Memories Flamenco or the Hotel Colonial, the first hotel in Cayo Coco, which has a beautiful colonial infrastructure. In neighboring Cayo Guillermo (Guillermo Cay), there is even more variety, where resorts of chains such as Meliá, Iberostar, and Muthu standing out. Among them are the Gran Muthu Rainbow Cayo Guillermo Hotel, the first LGBTQI friendly hotel in Cuba, Hotel Iberostar Daiquirí, Hotel Meliá Cayo Guillermo, among others located on the beachfront. Finally, in Cayo Cruz (Cruz Cay) you will have only two lodging options, the Hotel Valentin Cayo Cruz and Hotel La Marina Plaza & SPA, both with 5 stars.

In the paradisiacal Cayo Largo del Sur, you will have many lodging options, with the most exclusive and luxurious resort hotels. The Hotel Sol Cayo Largo is a great alternative, which also has a turtle nesting observatory. The Hotel Bella Isla Resort offers alternatives for rooms ranging from suites to bungalows by the sea. Finally, the Hotel Pelicano stands out for its tranquility and Villa Iguana, which is an apartment complex equipped for your vacations.

Finally, Cayo Levisa, in Pinar del Río, has a unique option which is the Hotel Cayo Levisamade up of multiple cabins, which need to be booked well in advance.

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