Cuba is one of the most interesting destinations in Central, offering visitors the chance to experience the feeling of going back in time while driving vintage cars and admiring its classic colonial architecture.
Before visiting the country, American tourists should check the travel restrictions to enter the island.
Cuba is also home to incredible secluded beaches, the ultimate definition of paradise. While some have excellent all-inclusive resorts, others don't allow visitors to spend the night.
10 Varadero
Located 72 miles from Havana, Varadero is Cuba's most famous beach. It pleases visitors with its combination of paradisiac beach and excellent structure. It's easy to be impressed by the white sand contrasting with the turquoise waters, and travelers can easily spend one day or two enjoying Varadero.
The place is an urban beach, so travelers can find many hotels and restaurants nearby. Watersports fans can also have fun by going sailing, diving, snorkeling, fishing, or kite surfing.
Due to its popularity, travelers dreaming about a secluded beach should choose other places in Cuba.
9 Playa Ancon
People visiting Trinidad often decide to spend a day enjoying Playa Ancon, located approximately six miles away. The beach features 30 snorkeling points, and it's possible to find some shipwrecks, and locals are happy to share the history behind them.
This beach is much quieter than Varadero, and it's possible to take a Catamaran tour at the marina. Travelers planning to stay longer can choose among three all-inclusive hotels in the area.
8 Cayo Santa Maria & Cayo Las Brujas
Cayos are small islands common in tropical areas. They are home to the best beaches in Cuba, but they often require planning. The best thing about planning to visit Cayo Santa Maria & Cayo Las Brujas is that they can be reached through a coastal road.
There are hotels on both islands, but travelers can also stay in Remedios, 34 miles away. The hotels and guest houses often help people find private drivers, and it's recommended to spend one day on each cayo.
7 Playa Santa Lucia
Travelers exploring less-visited spots on the island are rewarded with paradisiac places. Playa Santa Lucia is located 68 miles from Camagüey, and it's the second-largest Cuban beach. It is famous for its lagoons, a vast coral reef, and lavish vegetation, creating a paradise scenario.
The Caribbean islands are often home to flamingos, and in Cuba, they can also be found in Santa Lucia. It's also an excellent place to dive and explore the shipwrecks in the region.
6 Playa Esmeralda
Situated on the north of the island, Guardalavaca offers many activities for visitors. They can explore the beach horse riding, go snorkeling or take a catamaran for a tour. The beach is protected by a coral reef and surrounded by vegetation.
Guardalavaca is an excellent destination for water sports, and people can spend their days kitesurfing or kayaking. Playa Esmeralda is arguably the most secluded beach in the region.
There are many hotels in the area suitable for travelers with different budgets.
5 Cayo Largo
The only way to arrive in Cayo Largo is by taking a flight from Havana and other cities on the island. Cubatur sells the tickets, but they can't be purchased online, and delays are common. The flight takes 30 minutes and lands in one of the most secluded places in Cuba.
Cayo Largos features over 12 miles of white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. It's not easy to name its most beautiful beach, but travelers can visit and decide between Playa Tortuga, Playa Sirena, and Playa Paraíso.
There are all-inclusive resorts on the island, and travelers can stay for a few days.
4 Cayo Coco
Cayo Coco is part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago and is only reachable by plane. The trip is worth it, as visitors often describe its beaches as a "giant natural pool with turquoise waters."
The most famous beach is Playa Larga. The small island is one of Cuba's most renowned tourist destinations, so visitors can expect more tourists when compared to other cays.
Cayo Coco features a handful of all-inclusive hotels, making it easier for travelers to spend the night.
3 Cayo Guillermo
Almost everyone will recommend visiting Cayo Guillermo, which is excellent advice. To reach the cay, travelers must fly to Cayo Coco and take a bus or taxi to Cayo Guillermo. Travelers can expect to encounter exotic birds, lush vegetation, coral reefs, and turquoise waters.
Playa Pilar is the most famous beach in this cay, and it's easy to understand why people are fascinated by it. Travelers can book a hotel and stay a few nights enjoying this exclusive paradise.
2 Cayo Jutias
Cayo Jutias is one of the most secluded places in Cuba. The south part of the cayo remains barely untouched, and it's possible to spend the day without meeting other tourists in some regions. One of the most beautiful spots on the Jutias is the Punta del Mentiroso.
The Caribbean is also home to some places for travelers on a budget, and they can include Cayo Jutias on their list. It's one of the few Cuban cays where camping is possible, and travelers can save more money by bringing their food. Of course, they should get all the trash back with them.
1 Isla De Las Iguanas
When traveling in the Caribbean, visitors can encounter exotic animals. The Bahamas, for instance, has a beach filled with Iguanas and another famous for allowing tourists to interact with pigs and go swimming with them.
In Cuba, the Islas de las Iguanas is named after the animals as they are everywhere. They are in their natural environment, so travelers shouldn't interact with them as they are wild animals.
The only way to reach the island is by taking a boat in Cayo Largo. The trip takes approximately 15 minutes.