If you are in a hurry, here is a map that lists what we consider the best beaches in Cuba. "For us, the worst year we had for sargassum still remains 2015," says Carla Daniel of Barbados Sea Turtle Project. If you are a member of the LGBT and would like to relax on a beach with a touch of fashion and panache associated with this group of people, Mi Cayito will not disappoint. Now that you know how we picked the best beaches in Cuba, lets dive in! The deserted tranquillity of this private world is all part of what makes it exceptional, though this is sometimes destroyed by hordes of cruise-ship visitors. Some activities you can partake in at the Playa Pilar beach include diving and fishing. Furthermore, birdwatchers can lay back and enjoy the sights of flamingoes strutting back and forth in this area. To avoid the risk of hurricanes, avoid traveling to Cuba from mid-August through October. Just a short drive from Cubas bustling capital lie white sands, palm trees and beautiful coral reefs. A Word of Caution: The Worst Time to Visit Cuba, Drinkable water is relatively scarce in Cuba, reusable water bottle with a built-in filter, Cuban Tourist Card (a.k.a Cuban Tourist Visa), The Cubans: Ordinary Lives in Extraordinary Times, Cuba Travel Insurance: The 5 Ways to Get It in 2023, Havana Airport (HAV): Complete Guide to the Main Cuban Airport (2023), Backpacking Cuba: Activities, Itineraries, and Practical Tips (2023), Is There WiFi in Cuba? Some of the fishes you may find here include marlin. Boasting a dazzling arch of sand with palm trees and calm, clear waters, Ancn also has more than 20 diving close offshore Cayo Blanco International Dive Center at the Hotel Club Amigo Ancn can arrange trips. The rainy season is much less popular since its wetter, hotter, and more humid. My question is what is the season for Jellyfish in Varadero and Cayo Coco? Just a short drive from Cubas bustling capital lie white sands, palm trees and beautiful coral reefs. wide and 3 ft high on the shoreline in PC. As well as catching some sun, you can pass the time snorkeling, windsurfing, swimming or sailing to the nearby islet. It is safe, clean and reasonable inexpensive. Running along the centre of the beach, a strip of palm and tamarind trees provides a cool walkway and dapples the sand with shade, while a number of stands are on hand to rent out snorkelling equipment. Free or royalty-free photos and images. The best time to visit Cuba is during the dry season (November to April). evocative colonial quarters, spending a day (or at least half of it) on the beach is the perfect way to rest both the bones and the senses. Playa Varadero is the most famous beach in Cuba and comes second on our list. For example, in 2021, Playa Cayo Santa Maria ranked 2nd as the best beach globally and won the top spot for the best beach in the Caribbean by Tripadvisors Travelers Choice Awards. Playas del Este has a few beaches near Havana that are worth a shot. 2. it would be nice to visualize somehow all the pieces of info. WebHearing about a major seaweed issue happening now throughout the Caribbean, really bad in Punta Cana. The worst time to visit Cuba is at the end of the rainy season when hurricanes start popping up on the map. Playa Paraiso Cayo Largo del Sur #2. 1. Hi im due to go this early this july til early August. Visit Cuba at the time of year that works best for you. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. is called "Paradise Island for a reason. Facing the Baha de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs), site of the infamous invasion attempt by US-backed Cuban exiles in 1961, Playa Larga is close to the wildlife-rich Cinaga de Zapata swamplands. If you plan to camp outside, bringing a mosquito net is also a good idea. It is safe, clean and reasonable inexpensive. Touring art galleries or museums in the area. 3. You can rent a taxi for a roundtrip from Old Havana to Playas del Este for about 15-20 USD. Playa Cayo Santa Maria Cayo Santa Maria #4. Heres what we recommend checking out: If you dont visit during the rainy season, youll be traveling in Cubas other season: the dry season. Daily thunderstorms are pretty common, especially during the afternoon. Protected from harsh winds and rough waves by the offshore coral reef, and with over 2km of stunning white sands, Playa Sirena, at the western tip of the cay, enjoys a deserved reputation as the most beautiful of all the beaches on Cayo Largo (if not in all of Cuba). "In 2011 it was the first time we'd seen it," says Professor Hazel Oxenford, an expert in fisheries biology and management at the University of the West Indies. Did you know that Cuba only gets 30% of its annual rainfall during the dry season? But please, dont play with the starfishes out of the water since they can die intoxicated. Driving to Matanzas and stopping by for photos at the Bacunayagua bridge. Youll be covered if you get heatstroke, dengue, or other illnesses! Grand Anse in St. Georges, Grenada: A Caribbean Beach Without Seaweed. Travel Health Insurance Travel medical insurance is an entry requirement for Cuba, so you cant skip it. However, you should know that Cuba has two distinct seasons that may have a big impact on the weather, the travel costs, the mosquitoes, and, most importantly, how much fun youll have on your trip. The beaches at Varadero get the usual flotsam and jetsam overnight and are raked each morning. Cuba is generally safe. It also includes a visit to the province capital Matanzas and some free time at Coral Beach. 3. The Mexican government and hotels in the Yucatan Peninsula have stepped up their efforts to tackle it, however, the majority of low-budget hotels and hostels do not have the means to clean their beaches on a daily basis. On Isla de la Juventuds most remote upturned hook of land, lies Punta Francs, where youll find the islands top beach, Playa Francs. This key is located in central Cuba, in Jardines del Rey. If you are such a frolicker, you will find the community at Cayo Santa Maria quite open-minded. Playa Ancn is often touted as one of the best beaches in Cuba Anna Jedynak/Shutterstock. Wow! Re: Seaweed problem in Cuba? Has anybody been to Jabacoa and Cayo Santa Maria lately and can let me know the situation. Also, as a general rule, you will want to bring just the essentials to Cuba. Typically, mosquitoes thrive in damp and hot climates, so Cubas rainy season is a favorite for them. Varadero beach runs across an entire peninsula (15 miles! Websargassum seaweed in Cuba. Cayo Saetia a natural protected area with scenic beaches. In that case, you may fall in love with Varadero, which has two of the best Cuba beaches: Varadero Beach and Cayo Blanco. It's becoming a big problem to remove. site may be reprodiced without our written permission. The beach also ranked 10th place in the Worlds Best Beaches for 2018 by FlightNetwork. Enjoy your vacations. Plus, despite the shortage of adequate infrastructure, many all-inclusive resorts at Los Cocos offer authentic Cuban cuisine and a lovely ambiance. These items are enough to get you started, but we also recommend something a bit heavier duty like travel medical insurance. Well, and the idea of NOW being the best time to visit Cuba is great! Afterwards, return to the city to learn more about Trinidad's history and culture. All in All, Which Parts of Cuba Have the Best Beaches? Varadero beach has to be one of the most beautiful I have been on. Heat is worst around midday, so plan indoor activities between 11 am and 3 pm. East of Nueva Gerona, and an easy bike ride from town, Playa Paraso beach is popular with locals, who call it El Mini. Is it possible to locate aplace for my husband and I. Where is it collecting. Hi Catherine, we have a whole article talking about what to bring and wear in Cuba. Some things to do at Cayo Blanco include boarding a catamaran for an excursion, diving, snorkeling at the available coral reefs, and enjoying non-motorized water sports with an accompaniment of Cuban music sunbathing. Find some useful information in our list of tips for backpacking Cuba. Public perception is a factor in the impact and some international headlines "shouting that the Caribbean is consumed in rotting seaweed" have not painted an accurate picture, Prof Oxenford says. WebDownload Cuba Seaweed stock photos. Water sports gear is also available for rent. With no permanent population, its entirely geared to holiday-makers who are drawn here for the irresistible beaches and various watersports. One of the most popular beaches in Punta Cana, this white sand beach is located between Playa Bavaro We normally go to Varadero however we booked 2 weeks at Cayo Coco for this upcoming May/20. The scenery at this beach is a beautiful blend of green fields of tamarind, sea grapes, and palms. This year sargassum is again washing up on Caribbean shores, Long Beach in Barbados was one of those affected by sargassum in July, People are trying to get to grips with sargassum on affected beaches across the Caribbean, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, Whiskey fungus forces Jack Daniels to stop construction, Tulsa massacre survivors granted Ghana citizenship, Messages reveal battle over Covid school policy, Covid messages leak a massive betrayal - Hancock, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Aboriginal spears taken in 1770 to return to Sydney. The best time to visit Cuba is the dry season because the rainy season is usually more humid, mucky, hotter, and generally wetter. Finally, remember that traveling to Cuba -or any other country- during the COVID-19 pandemic may expose you to coronavirus. It also has rolling hills and sparkling white sand stretching over 1500 meters. As you probably know, Cuba has no shortage of stunning natural beaches. Playa Bonita is yet another beautiful beach, perfect for tanning your body. Then there is tourism. Is it that bad around Cuba? Arm yourself with enough Deep Woods mosquito repellent, and you will enjoy Cuba without getting annihilated by mosquitoes. * Do not embed this map in a website or a blog without permission from Sargassum Monitoring. 6 years ago This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. If you are an avid bird enthusiast, you will enjoy watching the colony of more than 12,000 flamingos that always gather on this island to feed. In the meantime Canadians can continue to visit Cuba as often as they like. This is the perfect time for last-minute travelers. Cuba is generally safe. That may be just one of the many tall tales told about Papa, but Pilar is definitely a beach where time seems to stop. "The same way we prepare for hurricanes, we have to prepare for sargassum," Antigua's environment minister said recently. WebIt is, indeed, a beautiful beach, and I would have no worries at all, on that particular score. Trinidad is home to gorgeous, tranquil, well-maintained beaches with tall palm trees. Equally attractive are the nearby reefs; the beach lies within the islands ecologically protected area, which is renowned for its superb diving. Copyright 2022 Apa Digital AG, all rights reserved. Sunny skies, consistently warm temperatures, and low humidity make traveling during the dry season fun and easy. The average temperature from April to May is 78 degrees, while Cubas coolest months, December to March, hover around 72 degrees. The 10 Best Beaches in Cuba Ranked #1. Cayo Coco has many all-inclusive resorts and natural features like marshes and lagoons. These beaches have perfect entrances that do not require you to trek hundreds of feet before reaching shoulder-level waters. It's a secluded spot, with shallow shores protected from rough waves by an offshore coral reef. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Let us know in the comments! Nesting sites can be blocked by sargassum or damaged by removal work - and the sea is no safe refuge. Three years later the seaweed returned, in larger quantities. Mi Cayito is popular mainly with gays. The waters on this gorgeous beach also have sandbars that make sitting and dipping your toes in the warm water enjoyable. Thank you for such a detailed article on the best time to visit Cuba. As a guest in a casa particular, you can surely ask for red tomatoes, sweet peppers, cabbage, cucumbers, onions, and carrots. That goes without saying. Lots of local greens become inexpensive delicacies at least for the visitors pockets. Cuba is one of those destinations that Canadians really love. This is true all year round, but especially during the wet season. 6 years ago This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Visiting the archeological treasures in the peninsula, such as Cueva de Ambrosio, Cueva Saturno, and the Varahicacos Ecological Reserve. Internet in Cuba for Tourists (2023 Update), Cuba Travel Tips: 58 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Cuba (2023), Classic Cars of Cuba: Meet the Islands Timeless Treasures, Tipping in Cuba: The Ultimate Travelers Guide (Updated 2023), Havana International Ballet Festival (October-November), Old Havana: City in Movement (urban dance festival), Havana International Jazz Festival (December), International Festival of New Latin American Film (December). And so far so good the sargassum is not there according to this handy tracking tool. Best beaches for quiet escapes and scuba diving. Hi, Michelle. When waves of sargassum - a type of seaweed - washed up on Eastern Caribbean shores seven years ago, people hoped it was a one-off. Geared toward beach holidays, the peninsula unfurls for 12 stunning miles, meaning there's room on the beach for, well, everyone. A quick glance at sites like Facebook and TripAdvisor, nonetheless, shows tourists are concerned. This will require you to plan ahead. Book Your Flight Book cheap flights to Cuba on Skyscanner, our favorite flight search engine to find deals on flights to Cuba. Hurricanes in the dry season Hurricanes during the dry season are exceedingly rare. Playa Pilar Cayo Coco #5. Re: Sargassum (seaweed) on beaches December/January. is full of potholes, and your GPS might tell you it's an hour-long trip from. Continue to 6 of 10 below. As you probably guessed at this point, there are plenty of starfishes in the water. Explore the worlds most thrilling waves with Epic Surf Breaks of the World. Some things to do in Playa Paraiso include snorkeling, swimming, and enjoying local cuisines and refreshing drinks. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. Just a short drive from Cubas bustling capital lie white sands, palm trees and beautiful coral reefs. I am looking for a place in Old Havana., close to the mosque. Matted piles swamped coastlines from Tobago to Anguilla. There is also the turtle population. Check it out here. You will also need to comply with the latest Cuba travel restrictions. Playa Varadero Varadero #3. Its a popular beach stop while visiting the colonial village of Trinidad or French-inspired Cienfuegos. when the journey actually takes two hours, but it's worth it. If you are renting a car in Cuba or hiring one of those famous classic cars of Cuba, the drive will be pretty easy. Pilar was a favorite hideaway for American writer Ernest Hemingway, and rumor has it he searched for WWII German U-boats in the area. WebSo far, the Atlantic coast; Varadero Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria and Holguin /Guradalavaca have not been affected. It is also surrounded by numerous other secluded beaches that may be ideal if you are looking for a place to enjoy a romantic getaway or private picnic. Cubas wet season earned its nickname thanks to the heavy rainfall that hits the island from late spring to early fall. Follow the brown seaweeds invasion, check the older maps : 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018. Also, beware of the dead mangroves! "You see metres high of sargassum piled up on shore but you're also seeing it in the ocean," says Iris Monnereau, a Barbados-based fisheries expert with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Nearby (about 3 miles) is a jewel you cant miss: Playa Esmeralda. Some beaches in Cuba have garnered a worldwide reputation as the best of the best; thus, they have won an impressive list of awards. "The sargassum tangles up their motors, their engines, their nets, their lines," says Ms Monnereau. Another popular activity in Santa Lucia is to take a catamaran trip to Cayo Sabinal, a secluded island that hosts Playa Bonita and an old lighthouse. Free or royalty-free photos and images. Hotels are not luxurious here, but the beach itself is breathtaking, and huts on the sand rent out equipment for kayaking and catamaran trips. Playa Pesquero is located in Northern Holguin, an area with excellent tourist infrastructure with beautiful hotels, and exemplary staff. Just pack lots of bug spray to keep them away. A handful of all-inclusive hotels dot the area, but beaches are public and popular among locals from May to September. Best beach forsunbathing in a secluded paradise. Not sure which of Cuba's beaches to head to first? In our guide to the best places to go with kids you will find other attractive family-friendly destinations. 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'S a secluded spot, with shallow shores protected from rough waves by an offshore reef. Useful information in our guide to the city to learn more about 's! Within the islands ecologically protected area, which Parts of Cuba 's beaches to to! No safe refuge permanent population, its entirely geared to holiday-makers who are drawn here the...