Santhu
You may have heard about Cuba for many reasons. From its great Spanish colonial history to classical car collections, Cuba has been placed in the minds of millions of people today. But from a backpackers perspective Cuba is the ultimate gateway in Caribbean Island to enjoy vibrant beach activities or soak in the region’s most epic beach atmospheres.
If you are simply curious about why we should head on Cuban beaches. Reasons are plenty, but compared to the rest of Caribbean Beaches, Cuban beaches offer warm year round tropical climates and calm seas. However, today beaches not just offer plenty of outdoor activities, moreover home to healthy coral reefs and rich coastal ecosystems to discover.
Spending your precious travel time at its mesmerising beaches is one of the best things to do in Cuba. Cuba has 300 beaches and it is difficult to visit every 300 beaches, sometimes not fit your convenience and travel satisfactions. Therefore we bifurcated top 5 beaches and if you’re beach enthusiastic and looking to enjoy unique beach ambiances, then don’t miss to visit these below 5 best Cuba Beaches.
5 Best Cuba Beaches
1. Vaeadero Beach- Playa Varadero
Visiting Varadero Beach is always a welcoming idea to start your beach expeditions in Cuba. Often called Plays Varadero, eagerly waiting for those who are ready to take on the most adventurous water sports like windsurfing or parasailing. One of Cuba’s well developed beach contains a total of 20 km of white sand shores and crystal clear water making it the friendliest beach even for beach sports lovers such as volleyball and beautiful golf courses lovers.
Varadero is located in Hicacos Peninsula where even family, couples and water activities lovers can come and be part of the tremendous amount of its natural and beach activities. The beach contains 32 diving sites which allow scuba divers and snorkelers to see a wide array of marine life and coral reefs.
Resorts are part of your beach journey here. Stay at all-inclusive resorts with your family and enjoy most leisure atmospheres and attend beautiful nightlife’s of the Varadero. If you plan to discover Cuban beaches with your family, then this beach is an exclusive option to you. Besides its water sports and ideal beach resorts, it is the most budget friendly location at Caribbean gateway.
Tips: Visit early morning for quieter stretches ambiances and less crowds, walk farther from main hotel clusters.
2. Flamenco Beach- Playa Flamenco
Flamenco Beach is located on Cayo Coco where the beach’s white sands and reefs are close to its shore. The beach is an ideal place for families and snorkelers. Kids can try swimming at its natural pool or snorkelers or swimmers find epic beauty of vibrant marine life here. The beach is an ideal place for photographers, where you’ll see flamingos which are really beautiful birds to take perfect photos with it.
The beach is home to one of the largest barrier reef formations in the world, which is really helpful for scuba divers and snorkelers to explore its brilliant reef systems. However, there are well maintained beachfront camping areas available, you can spend leisurely time or sleep near palm trees. Take a short walk to nearby destinations (if you’ve extra time) with your kids to see a former US Navy base, mainly its World War II bunkers and tanks. If you really wish to spend Cuba’s pristine white sand or swim in calm shallow waters and mixt of nature and comfort at one point, then Playa Flamenco is for you.
Tips: For kids, choose calm lagoon spots for safe swimming and visit nearby protected areas to see more migratory birds and other wildlife.
3. Playa Pilar Beach- Pilar Beach
Located in Cayo Guillermo, Playa Pilar is the most beautiful beach in the entire Cuba, contains 1 km long sandy shore and turquoise water making it a great spot for swimmers. Playa Pilar’s sand dune is really impressive and it has unique features you’ll see only here. This natural sand dunes spread along its shares that reaches upto 16 meters height. Make sure that Playa Pilar insists on every backpacker to dive into its clear water, take a sunset photo and spend its tranquil luxury retreats.
Backpackers must remember its history, named after Hemingway’s yacht where calm aquamarine water exists and it helps your kids to learn more about local marine species. Hemingway’s Yachat is a renowned American author who frequently visits the beach areas for fishing. Since it is less crowded than Varadero Beach where visitors choose an alternative one and seek a perfect relaxation gateway and easy access from your nearby Resort Cayo stays.
Tips: If you’re visiting from Cayo Coco or Cayo Guilermo then book a round trip taxi and bring enough cash, don’t rely on travel credit cards or ATM’s.
4. Guardalavaca Beach- Playa Guardalavaca
In the list of Playa beaches we need to add Guardalavaca Beach. Located on the Holguin Province, (Atlantic coast) is often recognised as the friendliest beach for kayaking, windsurfing, diving and sailing lovers. One of the striking features every backpacker must observe here in Guardalavaca beach is its coral garden, nearby bays and great spot for enjoyment of sea and sun.
The beach is characterized by its shell shape and vast white sands. Beaches southern part is the most nature centric one where the place is filled by the thick green vegetation. However, the beach is near Paraque Natural Bahia Naranjo national park and Naranjo Bay. Visitors even expect some activities like horseback riding and an easy walking trail to the nearby Flea Market. Don’t miss spending time at local music venues at beach bars and cultural trips to Holguin.
Tips: Plan to make your tour combine with inland excursions, both the town of Gibara and Parks. And it helps you experience Cuban cultures despite just beach activities.
5. Playa Paraiso Beach- Cayo Largo del Sur
Playa Paraiso is often called “Paradise Beach” of Cuba which consistently ranked as one of the best Cuba beaches according to TripAdvisors. Located on the island of Cayo Largo, it is an ideal beach option for those who are looking to relax and indulge in the natural beauty of the Caribbean Sea. Same as above Cuba beaches Playa Paraiso beach is a great spot for swimming, snorkelling and even for sunbath lovers.
While it is offering a paradise feeling to visitors, there are more chances to swim at clear shallow water and sleep at powdery sands. Since it is low developed and located in Remote Island areas, visitors surely expect less travel crowds and more fun. Your list of Cuba beaches could be only limited to enjoy tranquil ambiance with natural touch, then add this beach as your first preference. Surely it will going to be an unspoiled beach day option to you.
Tips: Limited transportation option to get to Play a Paraiso Beach, choose flight to from Cayo Largo.
What is the Ideal Time to Explore Cuba Beaches?
When you start unlocking beach expeditions in Cuba, one thing you should always remember is that which is the ideal season to visit these beautiful beaches? Actually Cuba beaches are friendlier to visit from November to April and May to October.
If you’d like to enjoy beaches within dry, slightly cool and more pleasant conditions, better to pack your bag between November to April. Suppose not a big fan of cool weather, look for warm weather or explore during little rainy season, then head on between May to October.
What to Pack?
Since your trip is all about beach and water activities, we recommend some of the things to pack before leaving your home to Cuba Beaches. Try to pack;
- Snorkelling Masks (better to keep your own)
- Sun Hat and Reef Safe Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent (during your Mangrove areas trip)
- Reef Shoes
- Snacks and water bottles (if you want).
Read more about Beach Articles:
1. 6 Best Beaches in Australia.
3. Which is the Best Beach in the World?
Additional References;
1. Best Beach Resorts in Cuba.
