CubaPLUS Magazine

Cuba is the largest of the islands whose land is anchored between the waters of the Atlantic and the Caribbean. The climate and nature converged there to create places for a peaceful stay. Both to the north and to the south of Cuba, groups of cays break up into marvelous islands that captivate and provide peace and stimulation to those who have the opportunity to visit them and enjoy their charms to the full.

Discovered along with the New World over five centuries ago, these surprising islets form archipelagos of extraordinary beauty. They are places with unlimited natural treasures, making them paradisiacal spots to enjoy the sun and beach. Their extensive dunes give way to ideal shores for sea bathing; the waters are safe, with perfect temperatures and transparency for scuba diving, and one can find privacy and tranquility uncommon in modern life.

The Jardines del Rey archipelago is located to the north of Villa Clara and Ciego de Avila provinces. Of this group of islands, Cayos Coco and Guillermo, open to international tourism, are the most visited and are among the main destinations for recreational diving in the Caribbean - both form part of the Buenavista Biosphere Reserve.

Cayo Coco, the largest island in the archipelago, counts Flamenco and Prohibida among its most significant beaches. The former is a strip of fine sand that leads into a safe and welcoming sea. The latter stands out for its preserved sand dunes and for its sea beds, with amazing biodiversity.

In Cayo Guillermo, the beaches are the right place to lie in the sun and enjoy the tranquility and the delicate break of the tides on the shore. The most beautiful beach, Playa Pilar, was voted among the best in the Caribbean by the Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Awards in 2020.

In both cays, the beauty and particularity of their shores are the prelude to a rewarding stay. The surroundings are cozy and the hotel infrastructure, of the highest standard, has been carefully designed to respect nature.

Cayo Largo, on the other hand, belongs to the Canarreos archipelago and is located on the southwestern Cuban coast. It is the second most important island of this group and its sea beds, with amazing reefs and impressive biodiversity, have been rated by National Geographic magazine as among the best preserved on the planet.

The oolithic sand of Cayo Largo is special, as its composition prevents the sun's rays from heating it, so it always maintains a pleasant temperature. The long beautiful beaches are perfect for long sea baths, diving, walks and diverse nautical activities. Two of them, Paraíso and Pilar, were on the list of the Travelers' Choice Best of the Best in 2020, among the best in the Caribbean; Paraíso in second place and Sirena, in 12th.

Cayo Largo also has outstanding natural beauty; a great diversity of flora and fauna and wetland areas, ideal for bird watching. The cay is also one of the main nesting areas for sea turtles in the Caribbean area. And something that adds more value to the island are the rumors that some spots - former hideaways of corsairs and pirates -, could contain hidden treasures, but its true treasure is easy to spot - the abundant nature that entices those who discover it to fall in love.

Extraordinary, like the big island that welcomes them, the cays of Cuba are places full of surprises, barely discovered by man; that little unhurried piece of the world that we all dream of going back to one day.