Cuba, as an archipelago state inside the Caribbean Sea, boasts over 4,000 small islands and coral reefs. Unlike other popular island destinations, Cuba's islands remain exceptionally undeveloped, preserving their pristine landscapes and untouched desert.
One such gem is Cayo Largo Island (Cayo Largo del Sur), a part of the Archipiélago de los Canarreos, located 114 kilometers east of Juventud Island. Cayo Largo Island is a tropical paradise protected with mangrove forests, stretching 25 kilometers long and three kilometers huge, encompassing an area of over 37 square kilometers surrounded by way of a hoop of smaller islets. Here, you will locate shimmering white sandy beaches, coral reefs teeming with marine existence, and snug resorts. Cayo Largo Island is 135 kilometers away from the capital metropolis, Nueva Gerona.
The island boasts nearly untouched coastlines, with fantastic sights like Playa Sirena and Playa Paraíso, each identified by the international travel assessment website "TripAdvisor" as a number of the world's lovely beaches.
The waters around the island are crystal clear, presenting visibility to the seabed underneath. Hidden underneath the waves are colorful coral reefs, serving as houses for fish and sea turtles. Of be aware is the Turtle Rescue Center, where scientists screen neighborhood turtle populations and relocate nests to blanketed hatching areas. Each year, thousands of turtle hatchlings are released into the wild.
Stretching alongside Cuba's southern coast, Playa Paraiso on Cayo Largo is a narrow strip of beach that continuously ranks among some of the top 10 seashores internationally but stays exceptionally undiscovered. It's a haven for the ones searching for tranquility.
On the sparkling sands of Playa Paraiso, it's commonplace to spot iguanas basking in the sun alongside beachgoers. In the sapphire-blue waters, massive sea turtles freely roam, developing a fascinating sight.
These islands offer absolutely ready accommodations, permitting you to loosen up and indulge inside the solar, sand, and sea for your coronary heart's content material.
Cayo Largo Map
| Name | Cayo Largo (Cayo Largo del Sur) |
| Country | Cuba |
| Province | Isla de la Juventud |
| Coordinates | 21°38′00″N 81°28′00″W |
| Area | 67.3 km2 |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EAST) |
| Population | No permanent residents |
| Airport | Aeropuerto Vilo Acuña |
| Port | Puerto La Marina Cayo Largo del Sur |
Best Beaches in Cayo Largo
The fantastic herbal features of those extraordinary islands definitely set them aside, ultimately in large part untouched in many regions. The seashores of South Largo Island stand out as their best treasure, with their heavenly look and the pleasant combination of white sandy beaches and emerald green waters.
Three seashores, Playa Sirena, Playa Paraíso, and Playa Punta Mal Tiempo, deserve unique interest. They are secluded enough from the hotel areas to preserve a tranquil ecosystem but provide favorable amenities, such as a small bar at Playa Paraiso. Among them, Playa Punta Mal Tiempo is the most secluded, at the same time as Playa Sirena is the biggest, decorated with stunning palm timber casting their shade as you stroll alongside the keys.
Playa Sirena is exceptionally splendid. Its pristine white sands stretch for approximately 2 kilometers, with numerous restaurants, bars, and boat journeys available.
Cayo Iguana, located northwest of Largo Island, is home to loads of iguanas. You can take a ship experience right here for snorkeling and to examine coral reefs, schools of fish, and sea turtles.
On the opposite hand, there are the Playas del Este, a collection of virgin beaches at the jap side of the archipelago. Among those, Playa de Los Cocos boasts the wealthiest biodiversity, with animals like iguanas or flamingos. Playa Blanca is a lovely virgin seaside with more waves toward the motels, providing a comfortable enjoy.
Playa Tortuga is probably the most exciting of those pristine beaches because from May to October, you may witness masses of turtles nesting on the white sands.
Things to Do in Cayo Largo
Visiting beaches like Playa Sirena or Playa Paraíso will satisfy your dream of idyllic white sandy seashores and emerald green waters.
If you're obsessed with scuba diving or snorkeling, then that is the ideal vacation spot for you. It's one of Cuba's highest-quality diving spots, so it's no wonder that many come right here for this pastime. You can enjoy exceptional happiness diving amidst brilliant coral reefs and lovely tropical fish within the waters of Cayo Largo. The seabed of Cayo Largo boasts a number of Cuba's most exciting and intact marine existence, teeming with coral reefs and tropical fish. In recent years, it has become one of Cuba's most-liked herbal sights for diving lovers, who coexist harmoniously with different traffic.
If you're a nature fanatic, you may be extremely joyful by means of its most famous animal species. South Largo Island (Cayo Largo del Sur) is teeming with lovely iguanas, making it an ideal place to pause and respect how loads of turtles lay eggs on the warm white sands or fulfill your dream of swimming with dolphins.
As an opportunity way to explore, exploring Cayo Rico is quite interesting. It's an uninhabited small island generally accessed with the aid of a boat, permitting you to marvel at coral reefs and various fish species along the journey. You can experience meals on the island's "chiringuito" nation-state bar, and most importantly, relax and experience this little paradise in entire seclusion from the arena.
How to Get to Cayo Largo
Aerogaviota, which operates daily flights between Havana and Cayo Largo Island, primarily serves charter flights for travel agencies, requiring ticket bookings through Havana-based travel agencies.
You can opt for a short day trip, returning on the same day, or extend your stay for a more immersive exploration of this island paradise. We recommend a week-long stay to delve into the wonders of this island truly. You can indulge in one of the excellent all-inclusive resorts, reveling in the tranquility of the heavenly beaches.
If you prefer not to stay on the island, participating in a day tour organized by travel agencies is more convenient. Priced at approximately $150, it includes round-trip flights, lunch, and transportation to Playa Sirena and Cayo Iguana.
In addition to charter flights to Vilo Acuña International Airport, the island also offers maritime options, allowing you to arrive at Puerto La Marina Cayo Largo del Sur to explore this little paradise.
The only cruise line visiting here is SeaDream Yacht Club during the spring season.
Cayo Largo Resorts
If you decide to visit this island, it is crucial to note that the motels supplied here are all lodge motels. That's why you won't discover the standard personal houses usually visible within the Cuban tourism device.
The majority of hotels are located south of the cay, close to Playa Paraíso. They aren't a part of any global lodge chain; however, they offer pinnacle-notch facilities consisting of all-inclusive applications, swimming swimming pools, or complimentary shuttle offerings to Vilo Acuña International Airport.
One incredible inn is Hotel Bella Isla Resort, which offers a variety of options from suites to bungalows and always provides all-inclusive arrangements.
Hotel Pelícano is likewise an excellent desire because it's a peaceful hotel very close to the beach. At the same time, Villa Iguana is a condominium constructed with an out-of-doors swimming pool.
