Playa Pesquero Holguin #10. If you are interested in naturist walks or snorkeling, this is the perfect place. On Isla de la Juventuds most remote upturned hook of land, lies Punta Francs, where youll find the islands top beach, Playa Francs. Still, the locals have not come to terms with walking around in the nude. The beaches here are entirely private and secluded, therefore ideal for nudists. The beaches at Varadero get the usual flotsam and jetsam overnight and are raked each morning. Visiting the nearby beaches is definitely among the top things to do in Havana. Beautiful Grande Anse beach in Grenada has not been hit by sargassum seaweed 2. is full of potholes, and your GPS might tell you it's an hour-long trip from. 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. However, remember that fewer mosquitoes doesnt mean no mosquitoes. Cuba is a sub-tropical Caribbean island, so its warmth is favorable to year-long insect populations. And so far so good the sargassum is not there according to this handy tracking tool. To avoid surprises, lets look at what its like to travel each season. Before visiting a place with that many beaches, you may want to know the best beaches in Cuba. Seaweed and algae will roll in one tide and wash up on the beaches. Playa Varadero: one of the top beaches in Cuba. Web2023 beaches impacted by Sargassum seaweeds. Flight prices: Prices run between $400 and $500 from the U.S. to Cuba. "It is likely this bloom will occur until September this year," says Dr Mengqiu Wang of USF. Dont go strolling on Cuban beaches flashing wands of cash. Arrive in Havana and make your way all throughout the island with stops in Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Cayo Coco, Camaguey and Santiago before returning to Havana. Was wondering if thats possible? Temperatures fluctuate more during the dry season as cold fronts sweep down from the Eastern United States, so you may want to bring a light jacket or sweater. Cuba is HOT! Playa Cayo Santa Maria has recently won increasing praise from travelers and experts alike. Playa Cayo Santa Maria Cayo Santa Maria #4. Arm yourself with enough Deep Woods mosquito repellent, and you will enjoy Cuba without getting annihilated by mosquitoes. Although Havana is close to some exemplary beaches, we cannot say the same for some parts, especially Old Havana. The best beaches are clustered on the north coast, dominated by the all-inclusive hotels whose tendrils are gradually spreading along the rest of the northern coastline. That goes without saying. are the closest beaches to Cubas capital a 30-minute taxi ride leads to half a dozen delightful palm-fringed strips of sand. "We've spent an ungodly amount of money on tractors, heavy equipment, we've tried a number of different barrier systems on the water, none of which has worked well.". Hotels: Like casas, hotels fill up quickly during peak season. Bahia de Naranjo a dolphin sanctuary where you can swim with the dolphins. Beaches along the section east of Punta Cancun, like Playa Langosta and Playa Tortugas, were largely protected by their northern orientation, offering golden sand and sparkling clear water throughout most of the season. Playa Pilar Cayo Coco #5. The northern cays, a network of small islets, interspersed by turquoise waters and mangrove colonies, form one of Cubas newest tourist resorts. 3 years ago Save There is a new long range ecological problem in the Caribbean: Sargassum algae which looks like seaweed is a mess on many Caribbean beaches. All in All, Which Parts of Cuba Have the Best Beaches? Traveling from the east coast of the USA is typically cheaper than the west coast. Not too many tour operators offer it anymore from Canada, last time we were there, mostly Euro, Italians and Germans, a few Canadians. Nightly rates will cost roughly $25/night. The beaches at Varadero get the usual flotsam and jetsam overnight and are raked each morning. Head 40 minutes south along the bay and you can indulge all your snorkeling and diving whims on, s 300m (984ft) coral wall and nearby wrecks and. You might also like:The rules for Americans visiting Cuba in 2022Top things to do in Cuba: how to explore the richness of the country's culture and landCubas most beautiful national parks, This article was first published February 2019 and updated February 2022. Cayo Coco has many all-inclusive resorts and natural features like marshes and lagoons. That is one of the signs Cuba is gradually coming to terms with the reality of LGBTs. Re: Sargassum (seaweed) on beaches December/January. Beaches with the highest seaweed count include Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and some points between Cancun and Puerto Morelos. Youre most likely to experience a hurricane in Cuba between August and October, so its safe to say your trip will be hurricane-free if you travel during spring or winter. There is also the turtle population. The beach offers 3km of fine sands and transparent waters where tangerine-coloured starfish float through the shallows. However, there are still plenty of exciting festivals and cultural events. If you need to visit an island with perfect shores for postcards, snorkeling, and generally having a good time, Cuban beaches will not disappoint. Report inappropriate content 1-8 of 8 replies Sorted by 1 cubacarol One of these is Playa Ensenachos, a popular tourist destination with almost untouched natural beauty. Varadero is undoubtedly the package holiday resort in Cuba and the glut of all-inclusive hotels, restaurants, and tour operators are all here for one reason: the beach one of the longest and one of the best beaches in Cuba. Head to the western tip of the cay where giant starfish can be spotted in the crystal clear shallows. Hurricanes during the dry season are exceedingly rare. Known for their stunning white sands and clear blue waters, Cuba's beaches are deliciously uncrowded and full of tranquility. The beaches east of Cojmar town, famed for its Hemingway connection, are collectively known as the Playas del Este. The beaches are often free of seaweed beyond the Hard Rock Hotel to Macao Beach. Playa Pesquero Holguin #10. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. The best beach destinations in Cuba are: This is it. Nowadays, Playa Cayo Marias entire west side is dedicated to people who like to enjoy a session on the beach, rocking nothing but their birthday suits. However, to avoid unpleasant situations, carry a small amount. We also wrote a couple of books and academic articles about the travel industry in Cuba. 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). If you are traveling with kids, you will be glad to know that Playa Paraiso is one of the safest beaches in Cuba for children. Although if you want to brag a bit, follow our guide to getting internet in Cuba and post your photos in the spectacular Playa Paraiso. The raft came in, they became entangled and unable to surface, and over 40 turtles died.". (private homestays) right by the beach just remember to bring mosquito repellent. If you fancy swapping the beach resorts for a tucked-away, tranquil fishing village on a sandy shore, Playa Larga offers casas particulares (private homestays) right by the beach just remember to bring mosquito repellent. The beaches east of Cojmar town, famed for its Hemingway connection, are collectively known as the Playas del Este. Varadero is the quintessential Cuban beach resort, with warm, shallow waters in graduated shades of blue, palm-fringed sand dunes and a phenomenal array of local restaurants and all-inclusive accommodations. Hurricanes in the dry season Hurricanes during the dry season are exceedingly rare. If you are ever in Cayo Largo del Sur, make sure you have visited Playa Paraiso and Playa Sirena. But the journey, a total of 52km from the mainland, is worth it: the sand is as fine as it gets in Cuba. The average temperature from April to May is 78 degrees, while Cubas coolest months, December to March, hover around 72 degrees. WebDownload Cuba Seaweed stock photos. Go tailor-made! The seaweed youll see on the shore at Macao Beach and at the waters edge is usually seagrass and not sargassum. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. Three years later the seaweed returned, in larger quantities. WebHearing about a major seaweed issue happening now throughout the Caribbean, really bad in Punta Cana. Playas del Este has a few beaches near Havana that are worth a shot. This is the perfect time for last-minute travelers. "The same way we prepare for hurricanes, we have to prepare for sargassum," Antigua's environment minister said recently. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. Hotels: $150-450 a night is pretty common. 2023 BBC. A room in luxury resorts can run anywhere from $200 to $800 a night. 6 years ago This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. El Chorro de Maita an aboriginal burial site made a museum. Sunscreen and water bottle with filter are a must. In Barbados, for example, the grabs used to load sugar cane onto trucks have proved good at picking up sargassum without removing sand from beaches. That means you can visit both beaches and enjoy the scenery without planning or waiting for another trip. The best time to go to Cuba is the dry season (November to April). Cayo Saetia a natural protected area with scenic beaches. In Barbados, sargassum has been hitting southern and eastern shores since May. Second line parades are a key part of New Orleans' culture. Since Cuba is a tropical island, you really have to consider anything that could possibly happen and might affect your stay. Seaweed and algae will roll in one tide and wash up on the beaches. If you want a peaceful beach to relax without all the hype of beach parties and reggae tunes, go to El Megano, rent a chair and umbrella, kick back, and enjoy. Carry some cash with you, but not too much, Worlds Leading Beach Destination by World Travel Awards, 10th place in the Worlds Best Beaches for 2018, top spot for the best beach in the Caribbean, Some locations in Cuba are rife with mosquitoes, 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), Sand Fleas and Mosquitoes in Cuba: The Survival Guide (2023), Travelling to Cuba from Canada: The Complete Guide (2023), Is There WiFi in Cuba? Wow! Water sports gear is also available for rent. This beach ranking system includes the opinions of more than 600 travel journalists, editors, bloggers, and agencies. Cubans refer to this time of day as when dogs dont come after their master. And when you do venture outside, bring lots of water and sunscreen! I stayed at a resort that was invaded by algae. The tiny islet of Cayo Largo, a narrow ribbon of land flanked by pale downy sands, is separated from Isla de la Juventud by 100km of sea. Cuba is one of those destinations that Canadians really love. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Cuba is famous for its breathtaking beaches, guaranteed to stun you silly with turquoise water and sugary white sand. Combined, we have two Bachelors degrees in Tourism Management, one Masters degree in Hospitality, and a Bachelors degree in Journalism. Northern Camaguey has two outstanding jewels: Santa Lucia and Playa Los Cocos. Playa Los Cocos (Santa Lucia) Camaguey, Playa del Chivo: Best Beach near Old Havana. Mango, pineapple, avocado, mamey, banana, watermelon, papaya, and even greens like kimbomb, fava beans, pumpkin, and sweet potato are easy to find. Best beach forday-tripping from Trinidad city. A more serene retreat than its rowdier neighbour Cayo Coco, tiny Cayo Guillermo boasts 4km of stunning near-deserted beaches. However, this location is plagued by mosquitoes, so ensure you bring repellent with you. If you dont feel like spending your trip to the best beaches in Cuba suffering from food-related illnesses, avoid street food as much as you can. #3. James Franks, of the University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and co-author of a 2016 study on the subject, says the sargassum circulates through this band, consolidates off Brazil and then is periodically released northwards by currents into the Caribbean. Yes, the road to Cayo Jutas is full of potholes, and your GPS might tell you it's an hour-long trip from Viales when the journey actually takes two hours, but it's worth it. Arrange multiple dives on a full-day guided trip, snorkel at Punta Perdiz just a short drive north along the bay, or stopover at a local casa particular and enjoy the ocean views from a wooden rocking chair until the sun sets. Its a popular beach stop while visiting the colonial village of, is close to the wildlife-rich Cinaga de Zapata swamplands. Trinidad, located about 7.5 miles from Playa Ancon, is a colonial town frozen in time. Nearby (about 3 miles) is a jewel you cant miss: Playa Esmeralda. Follow the brown seaweeds invasion, check the older maps : 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018. More than 50 countries across the world host Carnival, but it's in Latin America and the Caribbean that you will find its beating heart. In the meantime Canadians can continue to visit Cuba as often as they like. Dont panic. 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