Cuba Beaches to Visit

How can we help?

Click and read long-form guides

A 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.

Destinations

Cuba highlights: Cuba Beaches to Visit

Not sure where you want to go yet? Get inspired and browse the best places to visit in Cuba

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 Destination

Baracoa

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 Destination

Guanabo

Guanabo is a municipality with a stretch of beach in eastern Havana. This is a convenient place to go swimming.

Explore Destination

Guardalavaca

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 Destination

Cienaga 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 Destination

Cayo 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 Destination

Playas 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 Destination

Cayos 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 Destination

Cayo 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 Destination

Cayo 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 Destination

María 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 Destination

Playa 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 Destination

Bay 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 Destination

Varadero

Baracoa

Guanabo

Guardalavaca

Cienaga de Zapata

Cayo Levisa

Playas del Este

Cayos de Villas Clara

Cayo Largo del Sur

Coco & Guillermo

María La Gorda

Playa Santa Lucía

Bay of Pigs

Belong Anywhere

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.