Cayo Santa Maria

Holiday Destinations / North America and Caribbean / Cuba / Travel Guide / Cayo Santa Maria

Cayo Santa Maria is beautiful, unspoiled island off the northern coast of Cuba. A dreamscape inaccessible to travellers until some time ago when the six miles of virgin beaches were connected to Cuba’s mainland through a grand causeway made of natural stone.

A UNESCO reserve, Cayo Santa Maria offers its visitors complete relaxation, some of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba, outstanding natural beauty, and some of the best resorts in the Caribbean island-nation.

Hotels are made up of exclusive bungalows carefully positioned in manicured grounds; they have warm sundecks offering ocean views and easy access to pristine private beaches. We love the huge freeform pools here, along with comfortable loungers and parasols for escaping the midday heat.

Cayo Santa Maria is favoured by those looking for an alternative to busier, more touristy Varadero. There’s only a handful of five-star all-inclusive resorts in Cayo Santa Maria, at considerable distance from one another, making Cayo Santa Maria the ultimate escape to unwind, relax, and get away from it all.

Couples, solo travellers, and families choose every year Cayo Santa Maria for their holidays because of the unspoiled beaches, beautiful nature, and complete safety ( the island is only accessible by sea or via the causeway; both are protected by police checkpoints)

Cayo Santa Maria at a glance

Cayo Santa Maria has some of the most beautiful diving and snorkelling spots in Cuba. The crystal clear waters around the island attract myriads of colourful tropical fishes, dolphins, lobsters, tortoises, and the occasional manatee.

Explore the natural reserve to see pink flamingos dozing off in the shallow waters, blue crabs racing along the exuberant mangroves, and dozens of endemic bird species.

Go on a catamaran excursion to spot dolphins and swim among them in the Cayo Santa Maria Delphinarium.

The marina at Cayo Santa Marina offers a range of experiences suitable for everyone from consummated deep-sea fishermen, to novice divers, and families with kids. Well worth a visit if you enjoy yachting, diving, or fishing.

Enjoy best-in-class entertainment, classic Cuban cocktails, and luxury accommodation at some of the best all inclusive resorts in Cuba

What to do near Cayo Santa Maria

Travel across the causeway to the mainland to learn more about the Cuban people and their culture. The nearby town of Remedios is the 8^th oldest colonial settlement in Cuba, dating back to the 16^th century, and still boasts some very interesting colonial architecture. The town also has centuries old traditions like the Parrandas, the largest carnival in the Caribbean that takes place once a year. None of the towns near Cayo Santa Maria are tourist destinations. This is perfect as you’ll be allowed to experience authentic local culture without having to avoid the usual tourist traps.

The City of Santa Clara is well worth a visit if you are interested in the history of the Cuban revolution. The city is known as the theatre of operations for one of the most dramatic battles between the Cuban guerrilla fighters commanded by Che Guevara and the Batista Army. After the battle was won by the guerrilla, dictator Batista fled Cuba towards the US. The battle of Santa Clara signalled the triumph of the revolution and Castro’s army advanced from here to Havana unchallenged. Santa Clara is home to the Che Guevara Mausoleum.

Santa Clara is also known as the Brighton of Cuba, the unofficial LGBT+ capital of the island. The city boasts a vibrant LGBT community and the club Mejunje has been the community’s cultural outlet for over 20 years.