Plus, if you are a member of the LGBT society, you will be glad to know that more and more gay and gay-friendly places of entertainment are sprouting randomly all over Cuba. Guardalavaca is the name given to the strip of beaches comprising Playa Esmeralda, Playa Yuraguanal and Playa Pesquero theyre all sublime. The waters here are blue and warm, the road is a real adventure, and the general ambiance is lovely and laid-back. On the other hand, the dry season brings cooler, dryer weather to the island between November and April. For example, in 2021, Playa Cayo Santa Maria ranked 2nd as the best beach globally and won the top spot for the best beach in the Caribbean by Tripadvisors Travelers Choice Awards. is full of potholes, and your GPS might tell you it's an hour-long trip from. If you are staying in Havana and don't want to venture too far, check here for the best beaches close to Havana. Playa Sirena sands TravnikovStudio/Shutterstock. Mosquitoes breed when the weather is hot and damp, so Cubas wet season is their favorite time of year. Floating off the southern shore of Cuba's main island in the Jardines del Rey archipelago, this low-lying cay offers a heaven-on-earth feeling few places in the Caribbean can match. Thanks a lot Cathy As you probably know, Cuba has no shortage of stunning natural beaches. It is infamous for its clear turquoise water and bedazzling white-sand coastline and, as a result, has managed to top our list of the best Cuban beaches. Grand Anse in St. Georges, Grenada: A Caribbean Beach Without Seaweed. That goes without saying. 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. The beaches are often free of seaweed beyond the Hard Rock Hotel to Macao Beach. During this time, Cuba experiences most of its rain, getting anywhere from 4.7 to 6.7 inches of rain each month between June and September. is called "Paradise Island for a reason. You should avoid exchanging money with street vendors to avoid becoming a currency scam victim. 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. You will begin to understand just how captivating Guardalavaca is. Touring art galleries or museums in the area. Try this one if you want to visit a sleepy and quieter beach. The nearest town is Caibarien, about a 1-hour drive, but there isnt much to see there. It is easy for anyone to visit these beaches and have a splendid time at leisure. Varadero and the islands of the Jardines del Rey archipelago are just a few essential stops on the long list of flawless turquoise-edged strands surrounding the island. To avoid the risk of hurricanes, avoid traveling to Cuba from mid-August through October. Cayo Largos beaches have the finest and whitest sand in Cuba. Playa Los Cocos (Santa Lucia) Camaguey #9. Where is it collecting. One major question is how long the phenomenon will continue. Often referred to as Cubas most beautiful beach, Playa Pilar has all the trappings of paradise: powdery sand, warm crystal waters and more serenity than the beaches at its rowdier neighborCayo Coco. You can get to Cayo Santa Maria beach using the connecting causeway between the beach and the mainland. Travel Health Insurance Travel medical insurance is an entry requirement for Cuba, so you cant skip it. Theres also good snorkelling out to sea. Go off-road across rivers and small communities on this Jeep tour in the Yumuri valley. The shallow drop allows you to walk even more than 100 meters into the water before it gets to shoulder level and you have to swim. Lots of article explain the best time to visit Cuba based on one specific aspect such as weather conditions with tiny bits of mentions of events and tourist crowds. Boasting a dazzling arch of sand with palm trees and calm, clear waters, Ancn also has more than 20 diving close offshore Cayo Blanco International Dive Center at the Hotel Club Amigo Ancn can arrange trips. But he says it is not yet clear what has caused this huge new bloom. In that case, you may fall in love with Varadero, which has two of the best Cuba beaches: Varadero Beach and Cayo Blanco. The information regarding this particular aspect is so scattered, so it takes some time to dig in and find the complex picture of Cuba seasonality. These are all excellent choices: During the dry season, you also get to appreciate popular Cuban traditions during Christmas and New Years Eve. Cuba is famous for its breathtaking beaches, guaranteed to stun you silly with turquoise water and sugary white sand. With limpid clear shallows and squeaky-clean beaches, it is, without doubt, the top beach choice on Guillermo, if not in the entire cays. You can go to any beach in Playas del Este by taxi or bus (not recommended). Varadero one of the best beaches in Cuba Shutterstock. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. Varadero. Finally, if you are on a tight budget, Playa Los Cocos is your best choice since the food and accommodation are less expensive on this side of the country. 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. Is it possible to locate aplace for my husband and I. Just a short drive from Cubas bustling capital lie white sands, palm trees and beautiful coral reefs. Playa Paraiso is on Cayo Largos southwest coast, while Playa Sirena is on its western tip. Varadero beach runs across an entire peninsula (15 miles! Santa Lucia is also famous for its coral reef, bull sharks, and tropical fishes. Guardalavaca is the name given to the strip of beaches comprising Playa Esmeralda, Playa Yuraguanal and Playa Pesquero theyre all sublime. Mi Cayito is popular mainly with gays. Our last visit to Cuba was end October/19 in Santa Maria and although I had never seen a Jellyfish I got stung pretty bad. WebIt is, indeed, a beautiful beach, and I would have no worries at all, on that particular score. Satellite images from the University of South Florida's (USF) Optical Oceanography Laboratory currently show historically high monthly levels of sargassum in the region. With over 3 million visitors to island each year, tourist areas can get pretty crowded during peak season! The white beach of La Perla Blanca, Cuba Shutterstock. The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Cuba, your essential guide for visiting Cuba. 6 years ago This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. When waves of sargassum - a type of seaweed - washed up on Eastern Caribbean shores seven years ago, people hoped it was a one-off. Not too many tour operators offer it anymore from Canada, last time we were there, mostly Euro, Italians and Germans, a few Canadians. Stringy, brown seaweed that spends its life floating, Traditionally starts life in the Gulf of Mexico and is pushed by currents out into the North Atlantic to float in the Sargasso Sea, Forms rafts that serve as vital feeding and breeding grounds for marine life, Not harmful to humans and in small amounts, it can help nourish beaches. To avoid surprises, lets look at what its like to travel each season. Incoming rafts smother sea grasses and coral reefs, while fishermen struggle to get in the water. One of the best activities you can engage in Playa Ancon is diving in the reefs. Flight prices: Prices run between $400 and $500 from the U.S. to Cuba. Our advice? These are reasons why Playa Varadero was picked as the 2nd best beach in the world in 2019 and the 4th best beach in The Caribbean in 2021 by Tripadvisors Travelers Choice Awards. Follow the brown seaweeds invasion, check the older maps : 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. 2023 BBC. Northern Camaguey. Head to the western tip of the cay where giant starfish can be spotted in the crystal clear shallows. The waters at this beach are warm and turquoise and lap lazily amidst numerous schools of darting fish. Best beaches for quiet escapes and scuba diving. "The sargassum tangles up their motors, their engines, their nets, their lines," says Ms Monnereau. The small hoop of rather grubby, seaweed-strewn sand is somewhat redeemed by its friendly atmosphere and a striking hill behind, whose shadow lengthens over the beach in the afternoon. There is over 3km of beach in all, split by a sandy headland into two broad curves of soft, silver shore ringed on one side by the lush green of a woody, palm-specked thicket and on the other by the glassy Caribbean Sea. A number of beachfront mini-malls and private restaurants offer snacks and refreshments before you head back to Havana. I stayed at a resort that was invaded by algae. Continue to 6 of 10 below. Lots of local greens become inexpensive delicacies at least for the visitors pockets. Since Cuba doesnt get much rain during the dry season, you can expect consistently clear, sunny skies. We also wrote a couple of books and academic articles about the travel industry in Cuba. Camaguey is the largest province in Cuba. Some articles may contain affiliates links at no cost to you. If you can get a room, itll cost around $25/night. And so far so good the sargassum is not there according to this handy tracking tool. Before you do so, pack our 50 tips for traveling to Cuba. Beaches with the highest seaweed count include Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and some points between Cancun and Puerto Morelos. Colorful coral reefs begin just 200m from the beach, so it's ideal for snorkeling, with great dive sites accessible by boat. Report inappropriate content. Best Caribbean Beaches Without Seaweed: Where to Go in 2023. The reason southern and eastern shores are worst hit lies in the seaweed's source. 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. Varadero can be the very opposite of Playa Paradise, though. I've seen pics of the weed 12ft. Some of the fishes you may find here include marlin. 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 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. Lessons have been learned since 2011, however. Now it is happening again and everything suggests 2018 could be the worst year yet. Best beach forsunbathing in a secluded paradise. WebDownload Cuba Seaweed stock photos. Since Cuba is a tropical island, you really have to consider anything that could possibly happen and might affect your stay. Thanks a lot Cathy Guardalavaca is the name given to the strip of beaches comprising Playa Esmeralda, Playa Yuraguanal and Playa Pesquero theyre all sublime. Two hours from Vinales lies the full sight of one of the most beautiful white-sand beaches in Cuba- Playa Cayo Jutias, sometimes known as Playas de las Estrellas de Mar (Starfish Beach). The beach also ranked 10th place in the Worlds Best Beaches for 2018 by FlightNetwork. This year sargassum is again washing up on Caribbean shores, Long Beach in Barbados was one of those affected by sargassum in July, People are trying to get to grips with sargassum on affected beaches across the Caribbean, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, Whiskey fungus forces Jack Daniels to stop construction, Tulsa massacre survivors granted Ghana citizenship, Messages reveal battle over Covid school policy, Covid messages leak a massive betrayal - Hancock, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Aboriginal spears taken in 1770 to return to Sydney. However, like most tourist destinations, it also has its share of small-time thieves, pickpockets, and scammers. Free or royalty-free photos and images. Playas del Este has a few beaches near Havana that are worth a shot. Cuban Tourist Card If yourCuban Tourist Card (a.k.a Cuban Tourist Visa)isnt bundled into your airline ticket or travel package, buy it only throughEasyTouristCard. 2. Playa Cayo Santa Maria Cayo Santa Maria, #8. There are plenty of exciting festivals and events to enjoy during Cubas dry season. You can book excursions to the key from the beach restaurant Ranchon Playa Pilar where kayaks and aquatic bikes are also available for rental. If you are ever in Cayo Largo del Sur, make sure you have visited Playa Paraiso and Playa Sirena. Heres what we recommend checking out: If you dont visit during the rainy season, youll be traveling in Cubas other season: the dry season. 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. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. And if you have any feedback, please submit it in the comment section below. On Isla de la Juventuds most remote upturned hook of land, lies Punta Francs, where youll find the islands top beach, Playa Francs. We also write about our passion for Cuba, from in-depth travel guides to myth-busting articles. Its also a good idea to bring afirst aid kit if you run into any trouble. The beaches east of Cojmar town, famed for its Hemingway connection, are collectively known as the Playas del Este. 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. 1. Best beach forday-tripping from Trinidad city. Travelers can get travel health insurance for Cuba viaInsubuy. Has anybody been to Jabacoa and Cayo Santa Maria lately and can let me know the situation. But please, dont play with the starfishes out of the water since they can die intoxicated. East of Nueva Gerona, and an easy bike ride from town, Playa Paraso beach is popular with locals, who call it El Mini. Mi Cayito, as we mentioned before, is the most popular gay beach in Cuba. Then, we sifted through numerous beaches and only selected those with the best reviews on Google and Tripadvisor. Although youre more likely to see dark clouds during the wet season, sunshine and blue skies are still plentiful. Geared toward beach holidays, the peninsula unfurls for 12 stunning miles, meaning there's room on the beach for, well, everyone. Bearing in mind a wet season, possible hurricanes and a stretch of super-humid weather, here's when to visit Everglades National Park. 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. 6. Suppose you are looking for a location with astounding beaches and a fuller package with inclusive restaurants, bars, hotels, and a bushy backdrop. Hurricanes in the dry season Hurricanes during the dry season are exceedingly rare. Playa Pesquero Holguin #10. The best time to go to Cuba is the dry season (November to April). One of these is Playa Ensenachos, a popular tourist destination with almost untouched natural beauty. WebHearing about a major seaweed issue happening now throughout the Caribbean, really bad in Punta Cana. It is in the news right now, but has been a problem for years. There are opportunities, she says, but they take time to develop. Cuba has various delicious cuisines and traditional foods you may want to try. 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. Playa Varadero: one of the top beaches in Cuba. It is safe, clean and reasonable inexpensive. The experience may be life-changing. . Playa Ensenachos is pretty close to Playa Cayo Santa Maria. "It is definitely a very large challenge, and a challenge that goes way beyond the capacity of small island states," says Ms Monnereau of the FAO. Simply translated as turquoise beach, it comes as no surprise to find that Playa Turquesa is one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. 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. Dolphinfish (or mahi-mahi) are being caught much earlier in their development, prompting fears for the fishery down the line. Meanwhile, sargassum continues to arrive. Here are the best places to visit. Morne Rouge Beach on Grenada. Remember that mosquitoes arent just annoying; they can also harbor diseases like Zika or dengue. Re: Seaweed problem in Cuba? Moreover, this beach is close to Playa Flamencos, a beautiful place with amazing Latin music. 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. and separated from Isla de la Juventud by 100km (62 miles) of sea. Most visitors know this beach to be a complete package resort for rejuvenating and enjoying the pleasures of a white sandy beach. With no permanent population, its entirely geared to holiday-makers who are drawn here for the irresistible beaches and various watersports. Cuba is one of those destinations that Canadians really love. The 10 Best Beaches in Cuba Ranked #1. A number of beachfront mini-malls and private restaurants offer snacks and refreshments before you head back to Havana. I havent found a suitable place to stay. That means you can visit both beaches and enjoy the scenery without planning or waiting for another trip. Three years later the seaweed returned, in larger quantities. Playa Varadero: one of the top beaches in Cuba. Needless to say, visiting Cuban beaches is one of the best things to do in Cuba. If you plan to camp outside, bringing a mosquito net is also a good idea. Bridge over the green water of Cayo Coco Shutterstock. One of the most popular beaches in Cuba, Playa Varadero, is near Cayo Blanco. Although they serve as a spectacular setting for your Instagram photos, you can get hurt too. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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With street vendors to avoid the risk of hurricanes, avoid traveling to Cuba, your essential for...
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