- Beach
- Inspiration
- Cuba
Travel advice for Cuba
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Cuba
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Rachel Lawrence
updated 14.01.2021
Just a short drive from Cuba’s bustling capital lie white sands, palm trees and beautiful coral reefs. The beaches east of Cojímar town, famed for its Hemingway connection, are collectively known as the Playas del Este. Hugging the Atlantic coast, three swathes of fine sand form a long golden stretch that vanishes in the summer beneath the crush of weekending Habaneros and tourists.
There’s not a whole lot to distinguish between the beaches, although as a general rule the sand is better towards the western end of the stretch. All beaches offer watersports, a party atmosphere for those who want it, or simply the chance to relax and enjoy a rum cocktail in the Cuban sunshine. Here is our guide to the best beaches near Havana.
15 days / from2867 USD
Cuba - Family, Beach, and Culture
Enjoy a 2-week family adventure visiting highlights and hidden gems of Cuba. Marvel at the colonial architecture in Havana, enjoy a ride in a Classic Car, explore the forests close to Trinidad, and relax on white sandy beaches of Cayo Levisa - this trip packs it all into one itinerary.
customize ⤍5 days / from975 USD
Bike Cuba
A moderately challenging cycling holiday through Cuban countryside visiting the tobacco fields of Viñales Valley and a pristine Caribbean beach in Cayo Jutias.
customize ⤍13 days / from3399 USD
Western and Central Cuba by E-bike
Combine a leisurely activity with an insight into some of Cuba’s most fascinating cultural highlights on this new e-biking tour of Western and Central Cuba. Explore the tobacco region of Viñales, cycle along the Bay of Pigs and relax on the fine sandy beaches of Cayo Las Brujas.
customize ⤍8 days / from1829 USD
Family Trip - an active adventure
Take the family a step back in time: Explore Havana in classic cars and on foot, take a boat trip to the Cueva del Indio in Viñales and relax on the white, sandy beaches of Cayo Levisa.
customize ⤍8 days / from1861 USD
Salsa Cubana
Only have a few days? Take this Highlight Tour of Western Cuba to explore the main areas: From Havana over the Viñales valley to Trinidad and Che's monument in Santa Clara. This fast-paced itinerary is packed with highlights.
customize ⤍11 days / from2135 USD
Salsa Cubana - Extended
Cuba, the island of rum, salsa, and the revolution. Explore the island's Western highlights on this trip: From Havana over the Viñales Valley to the famous Bay of Pigs and Trinidad - this trip has no shortage of highlights.
customize ⤍6 days / from1495 USD
Compact Cuba: Havana to Trinidad
Fall in love with Cuba as you explore Havana’s enticing and fading colonial streets, where salsa music emanates from every window, and the sweet pungent aroma of cigar smoke holds the air. Continue to the beautiful colonial city of Trinidad, and the fascinating Bay of Pigs.
customize ⤍8 days / from1950 USD
The Culture and Beaches of Cuba: From Havana to Varadero
This trip takes in three distinctly different areas of Cuba: begin at the iconic, cultural hub of Havana, before travelling to the picturesque rural town of Viñales, and then onto the picture-perfect Varadero Beach, one of the best in the Caribbean. Strike the perfect balance with this unique trip!
customize ⤍15 days / from2561 USD
Cuba Completa - Off the beaten track
Go off-the-beaten-track in Cuba. Explore the birthplace of Fidel Castro, relax on Cayo Saetia, an island that used to be Fidel's private holiday home, and explore the Eastern part with Santiago de Cuba.
customize ⤍15 days / from3191 USD
Complete Cuba: Nature, Tradition and Sights of the Revolution
This evocative country offers everything from rich history to exquisite cuisine, idyllic beaches, unique landscapes and charming, colourful cities. Discover the best Cuba has to offer with the complete itinerary encompassing sights related to its literary past and the revolution.
customize ⤍8 days / from1836 USD
Highlights of Cuba: Havana, Trinidad and Cienfuegos
Discover the charismatic country of Cuba. Begin in the iconic city of Havana, where you'll explore the old town, and enjoy a classic car tour! Head into the country, to Viñales and then Trinidad, the former centre of Cuba's sugar production. Continue to the Bay of Pigs, then return to Havana.
customize ⤍8 days / from1585 USD
Western Skyline Ride
Saddle up and enjoy a week-long cycling holiday through Western Cuba. Cycle through the countryside visiting Las Terrazas and the tobacco fields of Viñales via the spectacular Skyline Trail.
customize ⤍5 days / from1062 USD
Havana: History and Hemingway
Havana is like nowhere else on earth: the jewel in Cuba's crown effortlessly blends dishevelled beauty with risqué and vibrant charm. Spend a few days exploring Havana, including the old town, Ernest Hemingway's favourite cigar smoke-filled jazz club, and a tour of the city in a classic car!
customize ⤍10 days / from2320 USD
Cuba: A Feast for the Senses
Welcome to Cuba, an unbeatable bucket-list destination that is a feast for all the senses. This trip will take you beyond Havana's city limits, with its cigar smoke-filled jazz bars, to discover other towns, rural villages and plantations across Cuba, not to mention the idyllic Varadero Beach.
customize ⤍17 days / from3593 USD
Mi Cuba Linda
Your journey starts and ends in Havana, with stops in Viñales, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad in between. Staying at Casa Particulares and dining at private restaurants allows an authentic peek into Cuban life. The grand finale awaits at an all-inclusive resort in Cayo Santa Maria, promising relaxation.
customize ⤍A short hop from downtown Havana, the white sands of Playa Bacuranao stretch around a peaceful cove, with colourful reefs just offshore and an 18th-century Spanish galleon buried beneath the waves calling out to be explored by Scuba divers. It is also popular with kite-surfers. The Villa Bacuranao resort at the far end of the beach offers somewhat basic accommodation, but is not without its charms.
Because of its proximity to Havana, Playa Santa María del Mar, usually just called Santa María, is the busiest and trendiest of the eastern beaches, with boombox reggaeton, watersports and beautiful bodies on sun loungers. It extends for about 4km from the foot of Santa María Loma, a hill to the south of the Río Itabo, with the bulk of hotels dotted around the main Avenida de las Terrazas, just behind the beach. Arguably the most attractive of the beaches, with golden sands backed by grassland and a few palm trees, it’s also the most touristy and can feel a bit artificial. The beach has plenty of sun loungers and is patrolled by eager beach masseurs, and there are various activities on offer – though sadly you’ll see more empty beer cans than fish if you go snorkelling.
A bridge across the Río Itabo connects Santa María to Playa Boca Ciega, also known as Playa Mi Cayito. A paucity of public facilities make this the least user-friendly of all the beaches. However, the beautiful sherbet-yellow beach is open to all, and the waters around the estuary mouth are usually quite busy and cheerful, with kids and adults paddling and wading in the river currents. Further west, towards Santa María, the beach is popular with the gay community.
Far more pleasant than Playa Boca Ciega is laidback Playa Guanabo, roughly 2.5km to the east, where the sun-faded wooden houses and jaunty seaside atmosphere go a long way to compensate for the slightly poor brownish-sand beach. With fewer crowds and no big hotels, it feels much more authentic than Santa María, especially towards the east end of town where tourism has hardly penetrated at all. While not idyllic, it still has its charms: palm trees offer welcome shade, and if you’re not bothered about the odd bit of seaweed, this is a refreshingly unaffected spot to hang out.
Avenida 5ta, the appealing main street, has a clutch of cafés and shops, including a convertible-peso shopping precinct selling sweets, toys and sportswear, while around the side streets and near the beach are a couple of excellent paladars (privately run restaurants located in the owner’s homes).
Explore more Cuban beach destinations with our guide to the best beaches of Cuba.
What better way to explore the fascinating island of Cuba than with your own private guide and driver on a route that is created just for you to fit your preferences 100%? Local experts Carla and Romey are waiting for your request to create, book and execute your dream trip to the island. Whether you are short on time and want to see the highlights only, like the Compact Cuba sample, or prefer to go off-the-beaten track with a Cuba Completa itinerary - tailor-made makes it all possible.
written by Rachel Lawrence
updated 14.01.2021
Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Cuba
Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert
Book securely with money-back guarantee
Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support