However, to avoid unpleasant situations, carry a small amount. Considered among the best beach hubs in the Caribbean, Varadero is one of those places that lingers in your memory long after your vacation is over. Beaches with the highest seaweed count include Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and some points between Cancun and Puerto Morelos. Mi Cayito is popular mainly with gays. The clothing-optional beaches in Cuba are: Cayo Largo is Cubas most popular place for naturist beach lovers. One of the most popular beaches in Cuba, Playa Varadero, is near Cayo Blanco. Here are the best places to visit. In 2011 people initially assumed the Caribbean influx had, for some reason, drifted from its traditional home in the Sargasso Sea. There is a snack bar, and thats about it. Hurricanes usually make their appearance at the tail end of the rainy season. You can count on us to give you honest advice! The nearest beach to this area is Playa del Chivo, and there isnt much to say about it. You will begin to understand just how captivating Guardalavaca is. Has anybody been to Jabacoa and Cayo Santa Maria lately and can let me know the situation. Find some useful information in our list of tips for backpacking Cuba. 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. 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. Report inappropriate content 1-8 of 8 replies Sorted by 1 cubacarol This occurs from November through April and is characterized by dryer, cooler weather. The reason southern and eastern shores are worst hit lies in the seaweed's source. In one extreme case, a resort in Antigua was forced to close its doors until 30 September. However, there is no public bathroom, and those in the restaurants can be gross. Mosquitoes are big fans of humidity, so you wont see as many during the dry season. Jellyfish swim near the coast and wont hesitate to give you a venomous poke if you accidentally swim too close. It is also surrounded by numerous other secluded beaches that may be ideal if you are looking for a place to enjoy a romantic getaway or private picnic. Playa Cayo Santa Maria Cayo Santa Maria #4. If you fancy swapping the beach resorts for a tucked-away, tranquil fishing village on a sandy shore, Playa Larga offers. Three years later the seaweed returned, in larger quantities. Best beaches for quiet escapes and scuba diving. Fun water activities like diving, fishing, snorkeling, boat riding, and sailing. Playa Sirena sands TravnikovStudio/Shutterstock. All rights reserved. Playa Arena Gorda Fat Sand Beach. Beautiful Grande Anse beach in Grenada has not been hit by sargassum seaweed 2. Follow along; we will cover the best beaches in Cuba to suit all tastes. This is especially true if you plan to leave behind the beaches and tackle urban travel or inland hiking. Playa Ancn is often touted as one of the best beaches in Cuba and its easy to see why: its one of the longest in the area and boasts a dazzling sweep of sand that arcs around glittering turquoise waters. The airport is closed due to repairs of the runway and might be open by spring 2022. Beaches with the highest seaweed count include Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and some points between Cancun and Puerto Morelos. 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. Cuba is one of those destinations that Canadians really love. Seaweed and algae will roll in one tide and wash up on the beaches. On the other hand, the dry season brings cooler, dryer weather to the island between November and April. Removal techniques have improved and experts have written management guidelines. Mosquito-born illnesses are also a risk, so remember to pack your insect repellent. Guardalavaca is the name given to the strip of beaches comprising Playa Esmeralda, Playa Yuraguanal and Playa Pesquero theyre all sublime. 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. Mosquitoes breed when the weather is hot and damp, so Cubas wet season is their favorite time of year. Varadero can be the very opposite of Playa Paradise, though. Havana has some gorgeous beaches that you can easily access via a short drive from the city center. Suppose you are looking for a location with astounding beaches and a fuller package with inclusive restaurants, bars, hotels, and a bushy backdrop. Playa Paraiso Cayo Largo del Sur #2. A reusable water bottle with a built-in filter will be your best traveling companion. No parts of this The multiple strands at. You may even be tempted to spend too much time outside trekking, visiting tourist attractions, or simply bathing in the sun. Cuba has two seasons. "In 2011 it was the first time we'd seen it," says Professor Hazel Oxenford, an expert in fisheries biology and management at the University of the West Indies. 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. Its offshore reefs, lazy waves, good fishing sites, and superb diving spots are beautiful. This will require you to plan ahead. I dont ever want to experience this again Thanks for your time spent answering my question . As a rule of thumb, the rainy season (May to October) is typically the cheapest time to travel to Cuba. #3. Cayo Santa Maria. Matted piles swamped coastlines from Tobago to Anguilla. Is it that bad around Cuba? Playa Cayo Santa Maria Cayo Santa Maria #4. Varadero beach runs across an entire peninsula (15 miles! Santa Lucia is also famous for its coral reef, bull sharks, and tropical fishes. Casa particulares: Rooms are easier to find than during peak season, but we still recommend booking ahead of time. Playa Cayo Santa Maria has recently won increasing praise from travelers and experts alike. You may also choose to go for a fishing excursion, revel in the adventures of deep-sea fishing, or partake in bottom fishing. However, if you happen to visit Cayo Santa Maria between December 16 and Christmas, you cant miss Las Parrandas de Remedios. 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 Youll be covered if you get heatstroke, dengue, or other illnesses! Since 2018: Our maps are updated 365 days/year with photos/videos & dates. "The issue is that we never know what it's going to be like - we can have a week or two weeks where it's very clear and then all of a sudden overnight it washes in," says Larry Basham of Elite Island Resorts, which runs St James's Club. 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. In St Lucia one entrepreneur is turning it into a plant tonic, while in Barbados a fertiliser project is underway. Again, thanks for your suggestions! The dry season will be the best time to visit Cuba if you love fresh vegetables. "On satellite images the quantity that's being picked up is greater than ever before," says Prof Oxenford, who is based in Barbados. Just a short drive from Cubas bustling capital lie white sands, palm trees and beautiful coral reefs. Our advice? 6. Some of the fishes you may find here include marlin. This way, you can measure how hot it will really feels in Cuba. The waters of Los Cocos are enticingly warm. Cayo Santa Maria has beautiful beaches on the islands northern coastline. Guardalavaca Holguin #7. Playa Cayo Jutias Cayo Jutias #8. Guardalavaca is the name given to the strip of beaches comprising Playa Esmeralda, Playa Yuraguanal and Playa Pesquero theyre all sublime. and separated from Isla de la Juventud by 100km (62 miles) of sea. Playa Varadero Varadero #3. Morne Rouge Beach on Grenada. So, I think youve done a great research and its great that besides climate data you added some tips on what to pack, how to travel cheaper, and also mentioned cultural events along with insects . However, the beaches are absolutely perfect. Is it possible to locate aplace for my husband and I. If you love seafood, youll be pleased to hear that Cubas lobster season runs from June to February, so you can get your shellfish fix. Best beach for families and inclusive resort stays. Cayo Blanco Varadero #6. ", US and Russia trade blows over Ukraine at G20, Greek trains halted as anger over crash grows, Messages reveal battle over UK Covid policy, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip. We prepared the list of the best beaches in Cuba after extensive research and many user reviews to ensure we only offer you the best. Well, and the idea of NOW being the best time to visit Cuba is great! Has anybody been to Jabacoa and Cayo Santa Maria lately and can let me know the situation. site may be reprodiced without our written permission. Report inappropriate content 8. Read our ranking of the best beaches in Cuba for more tips about enjoying your summer vacation in Cuba. 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. You might think that its always the best time to visit Cuba. Read our Privacy Policy. Cuba is one of those destinations that Canadians really love. Read about our approach to external linking. He points to nutrients both from falling Saharan dust and pushed up from the sea floor as possible factors, but says more research is needed to establish exact triggers. Northeastern Holguin. This beach combines green and blue clear waters, forming an exemplary boundary between the Florida Straits and the mainland. 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. Cuban Tourist Card If your Cuban Tourist Card (a.k.a Cuban Tourist Visa) isnt bundled into your airline ticket or travel package, buy it only through EasyTouristCard. Re: Sargassum (seaweed) on beaches December/January. Bottled water is hard to come by, even in the big cities, and virtually unheard of if you venture deep into the countryside. 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. 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 thats perfect for a few days of complete tranquillity. Youre sure to have an awesome time, no matter when your trip falls on the calendar. So, when do you think is the best time to visit Cuba? 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. Nesting sites can be blocked by sargassum or damaged by removal work - and the sea is no safe refuge. Removal is time-consuming, expensive and can damage the beaches. The impossibly white sand, the gemstone-blue belt of water around this narrow ribbon of land Cayo Largo del Sur is called "Paradise Island for a reason. Second line parades are a key part of New Orleans' culture. That is an advantage since you can cover a bunch of them quickly. With limpid clear shallows and squeaky-clean beaches, it is, without doubt, the top beach choice on Guillermo, if not in the entire cays. 06 of 10 Isla Blanca Doug Depies / Getty Images If you have time to explore around, there are three places we recommend visiting: On the other hand, if you want to relax on a beach with a charming backdrop and gouge yourself with snorkeling, sunbathing, and swimming, Guardalavaca is also a good choice. Caribbean governments are acknowledging that the seaweed, which impacts on tourism, fisheries and wildlife, could pose a long-term threat. The best time to go to Cuba is the dry season (November to April). In Barbados, sargassum has been hitting southern and eastern shores since May. On the western tip of Cayo Guillermo, Playa Pilar is named after Ernest Hemingways yacht, Pilar, and was the authors favourite hideaway in Cuba. Also, as a general rule, you will want to bring just the essentials to Cuba. But please, dont play with the starfishes out of the water since they can die intoxicated. The waters at this beach are warm and turquoise and lap lazily amidst numerous schools of darting fish. when the journey actually takes two hours, but it's worth it. However, like most tourist destinations, it also has its share of small-time thieves, pickpockets, and scammers. To visit Cuba no public bathroom, and sailing is especially true if you love fresh.. Offshore reefs, lazy waves, good fishing sites, and sailing: sargassum ( seaweed ) beaches! Your summer vacation in Cuba to suit all tastes northern coastline recently won increasing from. When the weather is hot and damp, so Cubas wet season is favorite... Since 2018: our maps are updated 365 days/year with photos/videos & dates improved and experts.... Your insect repellent choose to go to Cuba is one of those destinations Canadians! 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