Cuba Beaches to Visit
CubaA Cuban beach holiday is waiting for you on this lively and colourful island nation. This list of Cuba's beaches to visit will take you from Baracoa to Maria La Gorda, and more as you explore the coastline. Cuba's beaches are famous for being ‘postcard-perfect,’ with their white sands and clear turquoise waters. Catch-up on your reading as you enjoy a paperback underneath an oversized umbrella. Seeking a more active beach getaway?...
Cuba's beaches are close to colourful coral reefs where you can snorkel in warm shallow water. Several of the nation's most breathtaking beaches are lined with all-inclusive resorts, which (admittedly) are not without their appeal. Cuba's beach resorts will offer you your own landscaped version of paradise. Still, you don't have to stay at a Cuban beach hotel or resort to enjoy the surf and sand — many of the beaches are public, and just as beautiful as any private parcel.
Cuba Highlights
A curated look at the best Cuba has to offer. These are the destinations that consistently stand out — places with real character, great experiences, and something worth going out of your way for.
Varadero
Varadero is Cuba’s most popular beach destination. Less than a 2-hour drive from Havana, Veradero extends onto a long, narrow peninsula and boasts blazing white-sand beaches and warm turquoise water.
Explore DestinationBaracoa
Baracoa is one of the most remote destinations in Cuba. This small town borders the northeastern coast and is surrounded by some seriously scenic areas.
Explore DestinationGuanabo
Guanabo is a municipality with a stretch of beach in eastern Havana. This is a convenient place to go swimming.
Explore DestinationGuardalavaca
The gorgeous beach at Guardalavaca is set 34 miles (55 km) northeast of Holguín. Guardalavaca is much smaller than other beach resorts in Cuba, but it’s one of the prettiest and most authentic coastal destinations in the country.
Explore DestinationCienaga de Zapata
Ciénaga de Zapata National Park is 82 miles (132 km) south of Havana, in Cuba’s Central Heartland region. This wildlife reserve protects miles of rare mangrove forest and swamps that are lively with unusual wildlife.
Explore DestinationCayo Levisa
Cayo Levisa is a tranquil little island off the northwestern coast of Cuba. There’s only one hotel here, and many travelers visit on one-day tours. Spending a night or two here, however, will allow you to enjoy all the island has to offer— white-sand beaches, stellar scuba diving, and unlimited sunshine.
Explore DestinationCayos de Villas Clara
The stunning islands of Cayos de Villa Clara are situated just off the northern coast of Cuba. Reached by a 31-mile-long (50-km) causeway, these islands boast lovely, uncrowded beaches.
Explore DestinationPlayas del Este
Go to Playas del Este to get in some beach time alongside Havana locals. Playas del Este are only a 30-minute drive from Havana, and get quite busy on the weekends.
Explore DestinationCayo Coco & Cayo Guillermo
Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo are the two most popular islands in Cuba. Set along the north central coast, these islands boast beautiful beaches and azure-colored waters. Most of the hotels here are all-inclusive resorts.
Explore DestinationBay of Pigs
Known for the failed CIA military invasion of 1961, the Bay of Pigs is an attractive and interesting area that’s a few hours southeast of Havana. It’s home to the most important wetland in Cuba, contained within the Ciénaga de Zapata National Park, as well as some excellent dive sites.
Explore DestinationPlaya Santa Lucía
Playa Santa Lucía is a 12.5-mile (20-km) long beach along the northern coast of Cuba. The hotels here aren’t as nice as those on Cayo Coco, but they do provide travelers with easy access to a beautiful beach and colorful offshore reef.
Explore DestinationMaría La Gorda
María la Gorda is located at the westernmost tip of Cuba. It’s a laid-back, remote beach set within the Guanahacabibes Peninsula National Park.
Explore DestinationCayo Largo del Sur
Cayo Largo del Sur has 16 miles (26 km) of picture-perfect white sand beaches. Visitors to this island get to choose from a bounty of all-inclusive resorts. The island has never had a significant Cuban population – it was developed simply so that visitors could come and experience its incredible beaches. Visitors typically spend their days bird watching, scuba diving, or relaxing on the beach.
Explore DestinationFeatured Cuba Trips
Browse our handpicked selection of Cuba itineraries, each crafted by local experts who know the country inside out. Whether you're after adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, we have a trip tailored for you.
Cuba's Culture, Charm, and...Rum
Your guidance, personal touches and attention to detail make these trips to Cuba an experience we will continue to do with Anywhere.com. Thanks for a great experience that has gotten better with each trip to Cuba we have done through you!!!!!
History, Culture, and Exploring Nature
Having Anywhere coordinate our trip to Cuba was amazing! We didn't have to worry about anything and always felt very safe and educated!
Tailored to Our Family
Our family was looking for a balance of beach fun, exotic nature, and experiencing the classical culture of Cuba for our two young adults. Anywhere delivered a tailor-made experience on this trip.
Pure Cuba: An Island Nation Essence
What if you could only visit Cuba for a limited time. What must you do? Why, explore Havana and Varadero Beach, of course. If you can distill an experience, this is it.
Our Cuban Getaway
I like the balance between learning from guides and having free time to explore. Daniel meeting us upon our arrival at Casa Prado Colonial was helpful. Giving us a . phone was a nice touch and made us feel cared for by Anywhere. We didn't feel completely on our won.
Our Journey from Havana to Trinidad
Our hosts in Cuba went out of their way to make us feel welcome, as if we were staying in our own home.
Discovering Cuba Together
It’s time to enjoy some quality time as a family. This vacation, unplug in Cuba — a colorful nation with a history still being written, and where time stood still.
Charming Cuba—History and Nature
The people that hosted us and the transportation was great — always on time. Appreciated the Viñales experience and learning not only about agriculture, but also tobacco and meeting locals along the route.
A Quick Havana Getaway
Havana was wonderful. Our 5-day quick getaway includes a thorough introduction to Cuba’s architecture and culture. We also loved the trip to Varadero to experience the beautiful coastline!
Romance 101: Essentials of Cuba
Need a romantic overview of Cuba? Then this Signature Trip is for you. Assembled by Local Experts, this getaway is guaranteed to give you the ideal Cuban experience.
Real Voices, Real Benefits
We believe travel is more than ticking destinations off a list – it's about discovering new places deeply, feeling connected wherever you go, and knowing you have a trusted team of local experts behind you every step of the way.
