And so far so good the sargassum is not there according to this handy tracking tool. Nightly rates will cost roughly $25/night. The sargassum has remained in the Caribbean and some outlets to the Atlantic. The reason southern and eastern shores are worst hit lies in the seaweed's source. TorontoJoyce. One of these is Playa Ensenachos, a popular tourist destination with almost untouched natural beauty. "The same way we prepare for hurricanes, we have to prepare for sargassum," Antigua's environment minister said recently. Websargassum seaweed in Cuba. I am grateful for the information about what to expect in Cuba. Some activities you can partake in at the Playa Pilar beach include diving and fishing. Hurricanes during the dry season are exceedingly rare. Geared toward beach holidays, the peninsula unfurls for 12 stunning miles, meaning there's room on the beach for, well, everyone. are the closest beaches to Cubas capital a 30-minute taxi ride leads to half a dozen delightful palm-fringed strips of sand. "Sargassum mats can be up to seven metres deep.". If you decide to visit Cayo Coco, include visiting Playa Pilar and Playa Flamencos on your itinerary. There are a few tips you should follow to make the best out of your beach vacation in Cuba. A reusable water bottle with a built-in filter will be your best traveling companion. wide and 3 ft high on the shoreline in PC. A handful of all-inclusive hotels dot the area, but beaches are public and popular among locals from May to September. Please check our guide for US citizens traveling to Cuba. Essential Items to Pack Bring the essential travel necessities that you may not be able to get in Cuba: Find Accommodations Find hotels or casas particulares (private accommodations) on Skyscanner, which lists thousands of accommodations available in Cuba. Mornings and early evenings are perfect for beachgoers, but watch out for dark clouds, rain, and choppy waters around midday. Cuba is primarily a cash country, and you will pay most of your trip to Cuba costs in Cuban Pesos (CUPs). The beaches east of Cojmar town, famed for its Hemingway connection, are collectively known as the Playas del Este. Guardalavaca is the name given to the strip of beaches comprising Playa Esmeralda, Playa Yuraguanal and Playa Pesquero theyre all sublime. Most tourists love Cayo Blanco because it is a pretty remote area in Varadero and, therefore, an ideal resort for relaxation. "You see metres high of sargassum piled up on shore but you're also seeing it in the ocean," says Iris Monnereau, a Barbados-based fisheries expert with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Flight prices: Prices run between $400 and $500 from the U.S. to Cuba. 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. There are plenty of restaurants and snack bars nearby, so grabbing a drink (or two) wont be a problem. If you need to visit an island with perfect shores for postcards, snorkeling, and generally having a good time, Cuban beaches will not disappoint. 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. Guardalavaca is the name given to the strip of beaches comprising Playa Esmeralda, Playa Yuraguanal and Playa Pesquero theyre all sublime. 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. Note that not all beaches in Northeastern Holguin are rocky. 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. Although youre more likely to see dark clouds during the wet season, sunshine and blue skies are still plentiful. "They need support they are suffering. Since 2018: Our maps are updated 365 days/year with photos/videos & dates. Grand Anse in St. Georges, Grenada: A Caribbean Beach Without Seaweed. Pilar was a favorite hideaway for American writer Ernest Hemingway, and rumor has it he searched for WWII German U-boats in the area. The raft came in, they became entangled and unable to surface, and over 40 turtles died.". A Word of Caution: The Worst Time to Visit Cuba, Drinkable water is relatively scarce in Cuba, reusable water bottle with a built-in filter, 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), Is There WiFi in Cuba? Its a popular beach stop while visiting the colonial village of Trinidad or French-inspired Cienfuegos. Some forms of entertainment that you can enjoy at Playa Pesquero include swimming, sunbathing, and trying different tasty local dishes. Best beach forsunbathing in a secluded paradise. Is it that bad around Cuba? If you have barely heard about Varadero, but have no idea of what else Cuba has to offer, dont fret. site may be reprodiced without our written permission. The beaches east of Cojmar town, famed for its Hemingway connection, are collectively known as the Playas del Este. WebDownload Cuba Seaweed stock photos. However, we will also introduce you to others that are secluded and, therefore, the best if you want to avoid overcrowded spots. Cayo Santa Maria beaches cover a big chunk of the islands northern coastline. 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. Bahia de Naranjo a dolphin sanctuary where you can swim with the dolphins. 2. The warm water and the trade winds are gentle so that you can look forward to idyllic days of swimming and relaxation. Some of the best things to do in Varadero beach include: Varadero is also situated close to Cayo Blanco, another stunning beach discussed in detail below. The beaches are often free of seaweed beyond the Hard Rock Hotel to Macao Beach. 6 years ago This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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. Enjoy your vacations. Playa Pilar Cayo Coco #5. Some things to do at Cayo Blanco include boarding a catamaran for an excursion, diving, snorkeling at the available coral reefs, and enjoying non-motorized water sports with an accompaniment of Cuban music sunbathing. The dry season in Cuba is pretty lively and exciting. Even if you dont experience a hurricane, the weather will be scorching and humid, limiting what you can comfortably do outside. Visit Cuba at the time of year that works best for you. Travel protection benefits such as trip interruption and cancellation, baggage delay insurance, etc., are not required. The experience may be life-changing. Havana has some gorgeous beaches that you can easily access via a short drive from the city center. Complete Cuba - Nature, Tradition and Sights of the Revolution. Suppose you are looking for a location with astounding beaches and a fuller package with inclusive restaurants, bars, hotels, and a bushy backdrop. Some of the beaches we have included below are close to others you may like to visit. 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. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. "It is likely this bloom will occur until September this year," says Dr Mengqiu Wang of USF. Beautiful Grande Anse beach in Grenada has not been hit by sargassum seaweed 2. I havent found a suitable place to stay. Follow the brown seaweeds invasion, check the older maps : 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018. Its a good jumping off point for snorkelling and diving in the reefs around the shoreline, plus Trinidad, Cubas colonial gem is just a stones throw away. The nearest town is Caibarien, about a 1-hour drive, but there isnt much to see there. The northern cays, a network of small islets, interspersed by turquoise waters and mangrove colonies, form one of Cubas newest tourist resorts. 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. Some things to do in Playa Cayo Jutias include camping, swimming, and fishing. They can also head back to the lively city for a night out. Driving to Matanzas and stopping by for photos at the Bacunayagua bridge. There is also talk of bio-gas but Prof Oxenford says this depends on a regular supply of biomass and affordable collection costs. Did you know that Cuba only gets 30% of its annual rainfall during the dry season? 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 If you are traveling with kids, you will be glad to know that Playa Paraiso is one of the safest beaches in Cuba for children. 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. To avoid surprises, lets look at what its like to travel each season. 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. WebSo far, the Atlantic coast; Varadero Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria and Holguin /Guradalavaca have not been affected. Playa Pesquero Holguin #10. 1. Three years later the seaweed returned, in larger quantities. Hotels: $150-450 a night is pretty common. Seaweed and algae will roll in one tide and wash up on the beaches. 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. You can visit either of these beaches to enjoy numerous activities like windsurfing, swimming, sunning, and indulging in a beach volleyball game. This will require you to plan ahead. The beaches at Varadero get the usual flotsam and jetsam overnight and are raked each morning. Playa Cayo Jutias Cayo Jutias #8. Web2023 beaches impacted by Sargassum seaweeds. Playa Varadero is the most famous beach in Cuba and comes second on our list. Some articles may contain affiliates links at no cost to you. The waters of Los Cocos are enticingly warm. It is safe, clean and reasonable inexpensive. Best beach for families and inclusive resort stays. 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. If you are renting a car in Cuba or hiring one of those famous classic cars of Cuba, the drive will be pretty easy. Youre most likely to experience a hurricane from mid-August through the end of October. If you fancy swapping the beach resorts for a tucked-away, tranquil fishing village on a sandy shore, Playa Larga offers. In 2011 people initially assumed the Caribbean influx had, for some reason, drifted from its traditional home in the Sargasso Sea. One of the best beaches in the area is delightful Playa Guardalava, a 15000m stretch of dazzlingly white sand that draws both Cubans and tourists alike. 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. Just a short drive from Cubas bustling capital lie white sands, palm trees and beautiful coral reefs. 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. 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. As well as catching some sun, you can pass the time snorkeling, windsurfing, swimming or sailing to the nearby islet. 06 of 10 Isla Blanca Doug Depies / Getty Images Bottled water is hard to come by, even in the big cities, and virtually unheard of if you venture deep into the countryside. Varadero 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. Seaweed and algae will roll in one tide and wash up on the beaches. Playa Los Cocos, in Santa Lucia, may not be a beaver of tourist activities and modern paraphernalia but it is worth consideration. Head to the western tip of the cay where giant starfish can be spotted in the crystal clear shallows. One of the most popular beaches in Punta Cana, this white sand beach is located between Playa Bavaro Playa Cayo Santa Maria has recently won increasing praise from travelers and experts alike. All in All, Which Parts of Cuba Have the Best Beaches? The best time to go to Cuba is the dry season (November to April). Guardalavaca is the name given to the strip of beaches comprising Playa Esmeralda, Playa Yuraguanal and Playa Pesquero theyre all sublime. Dolphinfish (or mahi-mahi) are being caught much earlier in their development, prompting fears for the fishery down the line. The best beach here is Playa Paraso, southeast of Playa Sirena and separated from Isla de la Juventud by 100km (62 miles) of sea. The resort of Guardalavaca is popular for good reason: a succession of gorgeous beaches sweeping around sheltered reefs, backed by a surrounding landscape of gentle hills and fields of sugar cane. If you enjoyed reading this article, dont hesitate to share it with your friends. Our advice? If you are ever in Cayo Largo del Sur, make sure you have visited Playa Paraiso and Playa Sirena. Report inappropriate content 8. Head to the western tip of the cay where giant starfish can be spotted in the crystal clear shallows. Hotels and restaurants are far from the beach, but you can take a taxi, scooter, or shuttle to travel back and forth. The sargassum has remained in the Caribbean and some outlets to the Atlantic. Playa Varadero: one of the top beaches in Cuba. It's a secluded spot, with shallow shores protected from rough waves by an offshore coral reef. It's a secluded spot, with shallow shores protected from rough waves by an offshore coral reef. A few simple huts offer snacks and drinks. 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. Yes, the road to Cayo Jutas is full of potholes, and your GPS might tell you it's an hour-long trip from Viales when the journey actually takes two hours, but it's worth it. Mosquitoes are big fans of humidity, so you wont see as many during the dry season. This occurs from November through April and is characterized by dryer, cooler weather. There is a snack bar, and thats about it. For a pocket of tranquillity, escape the main beaches and head to Playa Los Flamencos. In fact, many beaches and resorts are clear. 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