Where Are the Most Beautiful Beaches in Cuba?

Is Trinidad's Playa Ancón really the most beautiful beach in Cuba, as many travel guides claim? I say: No.

After our 3-week tour of Cuba (-> Cuba Travel Report), I need to address a 'phenomenon' found in numerous Cuba travel guides and internet forums. Just recently, I once again held a travel guide that makes travelers believe that Playa Ancón is the most beautiful beach in Cuba!

Since I have read in various travel guides (likely they all copied from one another) and also online that Playa Ancón is the most beautiful beach in Cuba, we simply had to see this beach ourselves.

Therefore, I skipped a hike to a waterfall. Instead, we took a Coco Taxi 7 km from Trinidad to Playa Ancón.

You can also bike the route - as travel guides suggest. We initially wanted to do that too. But: The scenery and landscape are not particularly impressive and the route is completely in the sun. You will be out in the scorching heat without any shade.

The Coco Taxi was cheap and the ride was amusing. The engine sputtered several times, and we thought we would get stuck.

When we arrived at Playa Ancón, we were disappointed:

Some hotel complexes and one lounger next to the other (I specifically took this picture facing the other direction). That's not how we imagined it. The sand was okay and clean. Vendors (who generally annoy me) disturbed the peace every few minutes.

If you walk a bit further, you'll be almost alone on the beach. Most people don't know that and lay down directly by the parking lot on one of the loungers or in the sand. Still, I find the description 'Cuba's most beautiful beach' a little exaggerated.

But that's just my opinion and subjective. I haven't seen all the beaches on the island. Playa Ancón is merely the largest commercially utilized beach in Cuba (I don't want to talk about Varadero; I avoided that mass tourism spot).

Cuba's coastline is 5,700 kilometers long. You can also choose between the Atlantic and the Caribbean. In the northwest, Maria La Gorda in the Pinar del Rio province, with its coral reefs and spectacular underwater landscapes, is an attraction for divers. The coves lined with palm trees and tropical forests feature the finest sand and crystal-clear water, counting among Cuba's most beautiful beaches.

According to our guide José, they are not easy to reach and are partially in a nature reserve.

Maria La Gorda is ideal for diving (not snorkeling) for 4-5 days. It's excellent and beautiful, surprisingly few fish, but great corals, canyons, etc., minimal current, and excellent visibility. If you're not diving, it's dull and boring at the beautiful palm-lined beach (with a government restaurant and very limited shopping options and a beach bar, that's all).

We had the choice between Cayo Levisa and Cayo Largo (Playa Sirena). We chose Cayo Levisa. If you're truly looking for one of the most beautiful beaches, I can recommend this small island. The sand is like powdered sugar (comparable to Ko Phi Phi). Simply indescribably beautiful.

The beach is 3 km long, and for divers, there are 23 dive sites just 100 meters from the shore at a beautiful coral reef. In a small menu restaurant, you can enjoy fresh fish and other seafood as well as typical Cuban dishes (sandwich ;-)). You should also try the cocktails. They not only look good but taste really delicious.

It is indeed true that all the Cayo beaches are a bit finer. The sand is whiter and the sea is more turquoise. This is likely due to the stronger currents (during ebb and flow) and the resultant wave action that grinds the sand finer and gives the sea a cleaner appearance; several islands around Cuba's main island can be recommended as 'hidden gems.'

Other Cayos: Cayo Jutías, about 50 km from Viñales, is paradisiacal like Cayo Levisa and Cayo Largo.

Cayo Levisa is located about 2 hours from Havana and 45 minutes from Pinar del Rio. The journey is made via the harbor of Palma Rubia. By boat, it takes about 45 minutes to reach the island. The ferry departs twice a day (10 AM and 6 PM) from Palma Rubia and returns from Cayo Levisa (9 AM and 5 PM). If you stay at the only Cubanacan hotel on the island (for locals forbidden), your transfer is included.

Taxi boats can also be chartered and reportedly cost 10 CUC per person on-site (rising to 15 CUC from November 1). Since Cubans are good at negotiating, you should try bargaining here as well. After all, it all goes into the state's pocket, so sometimes they turn a blind eye.

Cayo Largo is almost as far from Pinar del Rio as Cayo Levisa is. We chose the former island; a friend visited Cayo Largo. She assured me that this island is just as paradisiacal as Cayo Levisa. So you have a choice!

Which beach will you choose?

According to friends, Baracoa is also stunning, with everything that can be done there (beach, jungle, mountains, etc.). As long as Hilton hotels haven't invaded yet, it looks like an unreal paradise! Both the beach and the place. Unfortunately, I haven't been here myself, but wanted to pass on the tip.

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