Best Beaches in Cuba

Varadero & The North Coast: The Classic Cuban Beach Experience

This region offers the most iconic and accessible beach experience in Cuba. It is defined by its extensive resort infrastructure and convenience, making it the primary destination for travelers seeking a straightforward and relaxing seaside holiday.

Varadero Beach (Playa Varadero)

• Best For: All-inclusive resort stays, families, and those seeking convenience.
• What to Expect: A magnificent, uninterrupted stretch of over 20 kilometers of fine, powder-soft white sand that meets calm, inviting turquoise waters.
• Activities: The options are plentiful, with sailing, snorkeling, kitesurfing, and catamaran excursions readily available. Numerous kiosks along the beach offer rentals for various water sports.
• Practical Tip: While resorts occupy much of the beachfront, public access points are available. The sea here is remarkably shallow for a long way out, creating a safe and enjoyable environment for children.

Playas del Este (Eastern Beaches)

• Best For: A day trip from Havana.
• What to Expect: A collection of beaches located just a 30-minute drive from the capital. Playa Santa María del Mar is the most popular and well-serviced of the group.
• Activities: The focus here is on simple pleasures: sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying fresh food and live music from the numerous beachside kiosks.
• Practical Tip: This is the preferred seaside escape for Havana’s residents. Expect a vibrant, local atmosphere with plenty of music and energy, particularly on weekends. Taxis and the dedicated T3 tourist bus provide regular service from Central Havana.

Playa Coral

• Best For: Snorkeling and diving directly from the shore.
• What to Expect: This is not a traditional sunbathing beach, but rather a rocky shoreline that provides direct access to a rich coral reef system.
• Activities: The main draw is the underwater world. You can join guided snorkeling tours to see vibrant coral formations and over 300 species of fish. Equipment rental is conveniently available on-site.
• Practical Tip: Situated between Varadero and Matanzas, it is best reached via a pre-arranged tour or a private taxi. Water shoes are highly recommended to navigate the rocky entry into the sea.

The Cayos: Pristine Island Paradises

Connected to the mainland by impressive engineered causeways, the cayos offer a more remote and idyllic island experience. These destinations are characterized by their tranquility, unspoiled nature, and feeling of seclusion compared to the bustling north coast.

Cayo Coco & Cayo Guillermo

• Best For: Unspoiled nature, flamingo spotting, and world-class resorts.
• What to Expect: You will find powdery white sand that feels like flour between your toes and exceptionally clear, shallow waters in stunning shades of blue and green.
• Key Beaches:
  • Playa Pilar (Cayo Guillermo): Famed for its monumental sand dunes and its historical connection to author Ernest Hemingway, it is consistently ranked among Cuba’s most beautiful beaches.
  • Playa Flamencos (Cayo Coco): As its name suggests, this long, beautiful stretch of sand is known for the resident flock of pink flamingos that often wade in the shallows.
• Practical Tip: These islands are linked to mainland Cuba by a long causeway. Access is primarily for travelers staying at one of the all-inclusive resorts located on the cayos themselves.

Cayo Santa María

• Best For: A luxury resort experience on a protected biosphere reserve.
• What to Expect: A chain of islets featuring 13 kilometers of stunning, fine-grained sand beaches, reached via a remarkable 48-kilometer causeway over the sea.
• Activities: The environment lends itself perfectly to long, peaceful beach walks, relaxation, and the water-based activities offered by the high-end resorts.
• Practical Tip: The area cultivates an atmosphere that is more exclusive and remote than Varadero. Consider it a destination in itself, ideal for relaxation, rather than a base for exploring mainland Cuba.

Southern & Eastern Cuba: Off-the-Beaten-Path Gems

For travelers exploring beyond the primary tourist corridors, these beaches offer a wonderful blend of natural beauty and cultural proximity. They are often enjoyed in combination with visits to historic cities like Trinidad or the lush province of Holguín.

Playa Ancón

• Best For: Combining a beach trip with the colonial city of Trinidad.
• What to Expect: A graceful arc of bright white sand on the Caribbean coast, offering calm, warm waters that are perfect for swimming.
• Activities: You can arrange snorkeling and diving excursions to the nearby coral reef, or take a catamaran trip to visit small, uninhabited cayos for the day.
• Practical Tip: The beach is conveniently located just a 15-minute taxi or bus ride from Trinidad. For a more active outing, consider renting a bicycle in the city and enjoying the scenic ride to the coast.

Guardalavaca

• Best For: Travelers in the Holguín province, known for its lush green surroundings.
• What to Expect: A picturesque shell-shaped bay with soft, golden-white sand. The clear water provides excellent conditions for snorkeling directly from the shore.
• Activities: Popular options include glass-bottom boat tours to view marine life, diving trips, and opportunities to explore the beautiful rural countryside that borders the coast.
• Practical Tip: Guardalavaca has a more authentic, local feel than Varadero. The area offers a mix of large resorts and ‘casas particulares’ (private homestays), providing a wider range of accommodation experiences.

Beach Day Essentials & Local Etiquette

A little preparation will ensure your time on Cuba’s beautiful beaches is comfortable, safe, and respectful of the local environment and customs.

What to Pack for the Beach

• Sun Protection: High-SPF, reef-safe sunscreen is essential and extremely difficult to purchase in Cuba. A wide-brimmed hat, quality sunglasses, and a light rash guard or cover-up are also crucial.
• Towel: We recommend a lightweight, quick-dry travel towel, as not all accommodations, especially private homes, provide dedicated beach towels.
• Cash: Bring small denominations of local currency (CUP) for incidentals like drinks, snacks, or renting a sunbed and umbrella from local vendors, particularly on public beaches.
• Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is vital in the tropical heat. Be sure to fill your bottle at your hotel or casa before heading out for the day.
• Snorkel Gear: If you are an avid snorkeler, bringing your own mask and snorkel is advisable to ensure a proper fit and better quality than what may be available for rent.

Safety & Etiquette

• Valuables: Never leave your belongings unattended on the beach. It is wise to bring only what you need for the day and leave passports and other valuables in your accommodation’s safe.
• Sunbeds & Umbrellas: On public beaches such as Playas del Este, these are typically rented out by local operators for a daily fee. The price can often be negotiated politely.
• Litter: Please pack out everything you bring with you. Public trash receptacles can be infrequent, so be prepared to carry any waste back to your accommodation for proper disposal.
• Interacting with Vendors: You may encounter vendors selling drinks, snacks, or crafts. They are a part of the local beach economy. If you are not interested, a polite “no, gracias” is always understood and respected.