Being a Caribbean island, Cuba is probably one of the best places in the world for a beach vacation and has some of the best places to sunbathe, swim or snorkel in the coral reefs. There are few countries with so many different options when it comes to a vacation for a beach lover.
- Varadero is perhaps the most famous beach destination in Cuba and can be found in the northwestern part of the country, just a 2-hour drive from Havana. You’ll find long stretches of white-sand beaches here, along with plenty of resorts, restaurants, shops, and dive schools. The sea here is bright blue, warm, and the calm waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. It is the classic place for an all-inclusive Cuban getaway.
- Santa Lucia is the main diving destination in Cuba, located off the northwest coast, where one of the largest coral reefs in the world can be found. The reef here is in perfect condition and is a great place to snorkel. There are also a large number of deserted beaches and abandoned areas off the coast where you can find the feeling of castaway.
- Guardelavaca is a town in the northeast of Cuba with beautiful beaches and many resorts. However, if you go a little further down the road, you will find a much less touristy area and just more beautiful beaches. Playa Pesquero is idyllic. There are three all-inclusive resorts in the area.
- Cayo Largo is a natural island in the Caribbean, located between Cuba and Central America. Here, you can really experience that shipwrecked feeling and spend your days lounging in a hammock or floating in the turquoise waters. Sea turtles swim in the coastal waters here, so keep an eye out for them.
- Cayo las Brujas is a small paradise island behind the Cuban mainland. You’ll find pristine beaches, swaying palm trees and authentic little places to stay. You can also explore the coral reef with a catamaran snorkeling trip or drive to the surrounding cays.
- María la Gorda is a remote tropical paradise on an isolated peninsula in the southwestern tip of Cuba. You can see schools of brightly colored tropical fish and watch colorful tropical birds fly overhead. Spend a few days at the beach and a few days hiking in the National Park.
- Baracoa was the first Spanish settlement in Cuba and the first capital of the country. Not many tourists come here, so it’s much quieter than some of the other beach destinations. It can be found in the northeast corner of the country. On the beaches of Baracoa in Cuba there is a very relaxed atmosphere where the golden beaches are combined with the coconut palms and the green tropical jungle.
