The best beaches in Cuba

Conjure up an image of the perfect Caribbean beach and you'll find Cuba's generous shoreline fits the description perfectly: stretches of powdery, bone-white sand – often freckled with shady palm trees – and limpid, turquoise waters. Here is our pick of the best beaches in Cuba – there's one to suit every need.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Cuba, your essential guide for visiting Cuba.

1. Playa Los Flamencos: an all-inclusive beach

Cayo Coco’s big three beaches are home to the all-inclusive and packed with boisterous activities. They are located on the narrow easternmost peninsula jutting out of the Cay’s north coast. For a pocket of tranquillity, escape the main beaches and head to Playa Los Flamencos. The beach offers 3km of fine sands and transparent waters where tangerine-coloured starfish float through the shallows. There’s also good snorkelling out to sea.

Our favourite tailor-made trip:

• Complete Cuba - Nature, Tradition and Sights of the Revolution. 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.

2. Playa Pilar: for a serene nearly private oasis

On the western tip of Cayo Guillermo, Playa Pilar is named after Ernest Hemingway’s yacht, Pilar, and was the author’s favourite hideaway in Cuba. With limpid clear shallows and squeaky-clean beaches, it is, without a doubt, the top beach choice on Guillermo, if not in the entire cays.

If you are staying in Havana and don't want to venture too far, check here for the best beaches close to Havana.

3. Playa Perla Blanca: for turquoise waters

At the far end of the chain lies Cayo Santa María, home to Playa Perla Blanca, one of the best beaches in Cuba. Its charm lies in its remote, untouched feel: it’s accessible, yet it has no facilities and is a bit of a trek to get to. But the journey, a total of 52km from the mainland, is worth it: the sand is as fine as it gets in Cuba.

What to do:

• Explore Cayo Santa Maria and the coastline in your own speedboat - you will get a short introduction on how to drive it before setting off to explore. Admire white sandy beaches, stop to go snorkelling and be amazed by the diverse wildlife.

4. Playa Varadero: one of the top beaches in Cuba

Stretching almost the entire length of a 25km peninsula that shoots out from the mainland, Varadero fits the classic Caribbean image: downy sand that forms a runway between palm trees along one edge and unruffled, sparkling waters along the other.

What to do:

• Go off-road across rivers and small communities on this Jeep tour in the Yumuri Valley. It also includes a visit to the province capital Matanzas and some free time at Coral Beach.

Our favourite tailor-made trip:

• Cuba: a feast for the senses - take 10 days to discover Havana in depth before heading out to Cienfuegos and Trinidad. Varadero will be the end highlight of your trip, relaxing in one of the top hotels.

5. Playa Los Pinos: for isolated bliss

A number of beaches await you at the north side of the 30km-long coral key – the longest of which is Playa Los Pinos, a blindingly white beach that’s perfect for a few days of complete tranquillity. Here sugary sands stretch out to meet the transparent waters, while wild horses and deer roam through the woodland that borders the sand giving the beach an almost magical feel.

6. Playa Ancón: for a dazzling beach

It’s a good jumping-off point for snorkelling and diving in the reefs around the shoreline, plus Trinidad, Cuba’s colonial gem is just a stone’s throw away.

What to do:

• Take an e-bike ride along the coastline and the Valley of Sugar Mills to explore Trinidad's countryside. Afterwards, return to the city to learn more about Trinidad's history and culture.

Our favourite tailor-made trip:

• If the idea of taking an e-bike for longer than a day excites you, take a look at our Western and Central Cuba e-bike trip: 13 days of exploration and adventure await.

Playa Ancón is often touted as one of the best beaches in Cuba © Anna Jedynak/Shutterstock

7. Playa Turquesa: for a shallow bay with golden sand

8. Playa Esmeralda: for a beach nearby luxury hotels

9. Playa Guardalavaca: for visiting reefs

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.

10. Playa Francés: popular for cruises

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. Equally attractive are the nearby reefs; the beach lies within the island’s ecologically protected area, which is renowned for its superb diving.

11. Playa Paraiso: for bikers

Find some useful information in our list of tips for backpacking in Cuba.

Our favourite tailor-made trip:

• Bike Cuba - A moderately challenging cycling holiday through the Cuban countryside visiting the tobacco fields of Viñales Valley and a pristine Caribbean beach in Cayo Jutias.

12. Playa Sirena: for an unforgettable holiday

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 del Sur (if not in all of Cuba).

13. Playa Coral: one of the best beaches in Cuba for shore snorkelling

Most of the local dive sites are on the coral reefs around the offshore cays to the east of Varadero, such as Playa Coral, with a coral reef just 30m from the shore along the coast towards Matanzas. As well as the standard coral reef visits, clubs usually offer night- and cave dives.

14. Playa Santa Lucia: for shark feeding adventures

The resort, such as it is, consists of little more than the beaches. The most famous of the beaches here, Playa Santa Lucia, is famous for having the rather thrilling experience of swimming with bull sharks. Remember, however, that shark diving is not for amateurs and you need to contact the Sharks Friends Dive Centre on the beach for a supervised shark dive.

Our favourite tailor-made trip:

• Cuba Completa - Off the beaten track - Explore the birthplace of Fidel Castro, relax on Cayo Saetia, an island that used to be Fidel's private holiday home, and explore the Eastern part with Santiago de Cuba.

15. Playa los Cocos: for a swim with views

The lovely Playa los Cocos is seemingly endless and is one of the most beautiful beaches in Cayo Largo. It offers stunning views, white sands and peaceful settings. It is characterised by swaying palm trees and the presence of coconut palms, which probably gave the beach its name.

16. Playas del Este: for a weekend getaway

Because of its proximity to Havana, Playa Santa María del Mar, usually just called Santa María, is the busiest and trendiest of the eastern beaches, with boombox reggaeton, watersports and beautiful bodies on sun loungers. Arguably the most attractive of the three beaches, with golden sands backed by grassland and a few palm trees, it’s also the most touristy and can feel a bit artificial.

Cuba is one of the best places for a family holiday. In our guide to the best places to go with kids, you will find other attractive family-friendly destinations.

Our favourite tailor-made trip:

• Havana: History and Hemingway - Spend a few days exploring Havana, including the old town, Ernest Hemingway's favourite cigar-smoke-filled jazz club, and a tour of the city in a classic car!

Ready for a trip to Cuba? Check out the snapshot of The Rough Guide to Cuba.

If you prefer to plan and book your trip to Cuba without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.

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