The worst time to visit Cuba is at the end of the rainy season when hurricanes start popping up on the map. Lots of local greens become inexpensive delicacies at least for the visitors pockets. Heres what we recommend checking out: If you dont visit during the rainy season, youll be traveling in Cubas other season: the dry season. Heat is worst around midday, so plan indoor activities between 11 am and 3 pm. The northern cays, a network of small islets, interspersed by turquoise waters and mangrove colonies, form one of Cubas newest tourist resorts. 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? But now research indicates the sargassum is from a new source - an oval band stretching from the Brazilian coast to West Africa. And so far so good the sargassum is not there according to this handy tracking tool. Playa Bonita is yet another beautiful beach, perfect for tanning your body. The beautiful Caribbean has countless places where couples can discover romance. 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. Cuba has various delicious cuisines and traditional foods you may want to try. Web2023 beaches impacted by Sargassum seaweeds. Free or royalty-free photos and images. The raft came in, they became entangled and unable to surface, and over 40 turtles died.". A handful of all-inclusive hotels dot the area, but beaches are public and popular among locals from May to September. One of Cubas most contrasting landscapes, the northern coast at Holgun has aquamarine shallows stretching as far as the eye can see and verdant hills lining the sandy shoreline. Beaches are the place to be during Cubas wet season. Therefore, you should always have some cash on you if you need to pay for something or are in dire need. Northeastern Holguin allows you to enjoy swimming and water sports in a relatively calm sea. WebAnswer 1 of 3: Hi we are planning holiday to Cuba,but are hearing of seaweed problem on beaches. Jellyfish swim near the coast and wont hesitate to give you a venomous poke if you accidentally swim too close. What type of clothing will we need to pack. Stay safe by hopping out of the water as soon as you notice dark clouds or lightning on the horizon! One of Cubas most contrasting landscapes, the northern coast at Holgun has aquamarine shallows stretching as far as the eye can see and verdant hills lining the sandy shoreline. Free or royalty-free photos and images. Others, like the cost of flights and accommodations, may significantly increase depending on the travel season. Hey Dan, A more serene retreat than its rowdier neighbour Cayo Coco, tiny Cayo Guillermo boasts 4km of stunning near-deserted beaches. Playa Varadero: one of the top beaches in Cuba. #3. Northeastern Holguin. Enjoy your vacations. Follow along; we will cover the best beaches in Cuba to suit all tastes. The average temperature from April to May is 78 degrees, while Cubas coolest months, December to March, hover around 72 degrees. In fact, youll have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in outdoor activities, whether exploring the cities, hiking in the Sierra Maestra, or enjoying the countryside on horseback. In fact, many beaches and resorts are clear. With limpid clear shallows and squeaky-clean beaches, it is, without doubt, the top beach choice on Guillermo, if not in the entire cays. However, budget-savvy travelers and visitors looking to backpack Cuba and avoid big crowds of tourists will love the slower season. It's a secluded spot, with shallow shores protected from rough waves by an offshore coral reef. Some 5km west from Guardalavaca, picture-perfect Playa Esmeralda (also known as Estero Ciego) boasts clear blue water, powdery sand speckled with thatched sunshades and two luxury hotels hidden from view by thoughtfully planted bushes and shrubs. Finally, remember that traveling to Cuba -or any other country- during the COVID-19 pandemic may expose you to coronavirus. Before you do so, pack our 50 tips for traveling to Cuba. Head 40 minutes south along the bay and you can indulge all your snorkeling and diving whims on Playa Girns 300m (984ft) coral wall and nearby wrecks and cenotes (sinkholes). However, like most tourist destinations, it also has its share of small-time thieves, pickpockets, and scammers. In 2016, Playa Paraiso, or Paradise beach, was voted the 3rd most beautiful beach worldwide by Travellers Choice, and rightly so. Seaweed and algae will roll in one tide and wash up on the beaches. The scenery at this beach is a beautiful blend of green fields of tamarind, sea grapes, and palms. It may be popular but thanks to its sheer size theres enough space for everyone to indulge in a few days stress-free sloth. Head to the western tip of the cay where giant starfish can be spotted in the crystal clear shallows. Youre most likely to experience a hurricane from mid-August through the end of October. As a bonus, Playa Sirena, one of the various goldmines of adventures on the island, is within walking distance from Playa Paraiso (about 20 minutes). A number of beachfront mini-malls and private restaurants offer snacks and refreshments before you head back to Havana. Wow! One of the most popular beaches in Cuba, Playa Varadero, is near Cayo Blanco. * Do not embed this map in a website or a blog without permission from Sargassum Monitoring. Has anybody been to Jabacoa and Cayo Santa Maria lately and can let me know the situation. Ready for a trip to the Cuba? Same for Paraiso and Sirenis in CL. 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. Youre sure to have an awesome time, no matter when your trip falls on the calendar. These beaches have perfect entrances that do not require you to trek hundreds of feet before reaching shoulder-level waters. If you want to experience the best gay holiday on a Cuban beach, visit Mi Cayito. 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. Cuba is one of the best places for a family holiday. Before visiting a place with that many beaches, you may want to know the best beaches in Cuba. However, this location is plagued by mosquitoes, so ensure you bring repellent with you. Playa Ensenachos is pretty close to Playa Cayo Santa Maria. Arm yourself with enough Deep Woods mosquito repellent, and you will enjoy Cuba without getting annihilated by mosquitoes. I have fixed the broken links and Im thinking on adding a nice visual guide, just as you suggest. Some articles may contain affiliates links at no cost to you. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. If your idea of having a good time includes clear water, beautiful sandy beaches, and diverse culture and traditions, Cuban beaches should be on your bucket list. Guardalavaca is the name given to the strip of beaches comprising Playa Esmeralda, Playa Yuraguanal and Playa Pesquero theyre all sublime. La Finquita Alegre and Don Pepe Grill Restaurant are recommended. Check out the snapshot of The Rough Guide to Cuba. One major question is how long the phenomenon will continue. With 22km of creamy-white sands and cerulean waters, Cayo Coco has some of the best beaches in Cuba, hands down, and effortlessly draws holidaymakers to its shores. On the other hand, the dry season brings cooler, dryer weather to the island between November and April. The beaches at Varadero get the usual flotsam and jetsam overnight and are raked each morning. Just pack lots of bug spray to keep them away. It is a laid-back island west of Cayo Coco that has primarily stayed unaffected by the hustle and bustle in most other busy Cuban holiday resorts. If beautiful weather is a big priority for you, then September, October, and June are not the best times to visit Cuba. We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this doesnt influence our editorial standards. Considered among the best beach hubs in the, has all the trappings of paradise: powdery sand, warm crystal waters and more serenity than the beaches at its rowdier neighbor. What's going on in Cuba? Mosquitoes breed when the weather is hot and damp, so Cubas wet season is their favorite time of year. 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. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. But he says it is not yet clear what has caused this huge new bloom. If you are renting a car in Cuba or hiring one of those famous classic cars of Cuba, the drive will be pretty easy. I am looking for a place in Old Havana., close to the mosque. We used reviews to get a general picture of what tourists have to say about varied beaches and how they found the experience. Equally attractive are the nearby reefs; the beach lies within the islands ecologically protected area, which is renowned for its superb diving. Be prepared. Flight prices: Ticket prices start between $300 and $350. Its a popular beach stop while visiting the colonial village of Trinidad or French-inspired Cienfuegos. The best time to go to Cuba is the dry season (November to April). 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. Morne Rouge Beach on Grenada. This is the high run for harvesting. Playa Ancn is often touted as one of the best beaches in Cuba Anna Jedynak/Shutterstock. We also recommend finding plane tickets and accommodations in Cuba on Skyscanner. Playa Ancon is the best beach in Southern mainland Cuba. Grand Anse in St. Georges, Grenada: A Caribbean Beach Without Seaweed. 3. Playa del Chivo isnt a big deal compared to other beaches in Havana. After exploring Havana's 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. If the idea of taking an e-bike for longer than a day excites you, take a look at our Western and Central Cuba by e-bike trip: 13 days of exploration and adventure await. That goes without saying. Most fresh vegetables become scarce or frozen at buffets in the wet season, but fruits are in vogue. Best beach for families and inclusive resort stays. These places are best for beaches in Cuba: Varadero Beach; Guardalavaca Beach; Ancon Beach; Santa Maria Beach; Playa Paraiso; See more beaches in Cuba on Tripadvisor WebThe employees of the hotel were burying the seaweed in some parts of the Sol's beach, the others stayed on the sand and we just stepped over it on the way to the water edge. Here are the best times to visit Cuba's capital, Havana. These places are best for beaches in Cuba: Varadero Beach; Guardalavaca Beach; Ancon Beach; Santa Maria Beach; Playa Paraiso; See more beaches in Cuba on Tripadvisor ), which is so narrow that the beach will always be a few steps away from you. This key is located in central Cuba, in Jardines del Rey. The sandy beach in this area is beautiful with turquoise water and stooping palm trees. However, some regions in Cuba are more blessed than others. Prepare for mosquitoes lots of them. These places are best for beaches in Cuba: Varadero Beach; Guardalavaca Beach; Ancon Beach; Santa Maria Beach; Playa Paraiso; See more beaches in Cuba on Tripadvisor 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. Typically, the worst season for Jellyfish is the dry season (November to April). Some of the fishes you may find here include marlin. Admire white sandy beaches, stop to go snorkelling and be amazed by the diverse wildlife. There is also a mini zoo where you can interact with the animals. Please check our guide for US citizens traveling to Cuba. 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