Jardines del Rey, or the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago, as it is also known, is a splendid group of islets and keys north of the provinces of Villa Clara, Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey. This group of islands, whose coastlines open to the Atlantic Ocean, constitutes Cuba’s third most important tourist region.

With a warm climate year-round, this destination is a magnificent place to spend a summer in the Caribbean. The high season runs from November to April, when temperatures are usually drier and cooler. Rainfall can occur occasionally from May to October, but it doesn’t hinder tourist activities, so any season is ideal for a pleasant stay.

Its impressive natural scenery, abundant biodiversity, and the remarkable endemism of its fauna combine with shores of extraordinary beauty and admirable seabeds.

Swimming, sunbathing, water sports, hiking, excursions, and walks are some of the experiences you can enjoy on these divine islets. If you’re looking for a great vacation spot, Jardines del Rey is the destination.

Each of the keys within it is a charming and guaranteed place to relax.
The Jardines del Rey archipelago was immortalized by Nobel Laureate Ernest Hemingway in his work Islands in the Stream, where he drew attention to the attractions of these keys, which captivated him when he discovered their wild beauty in the late 1930s.

Cayo Coco

This is the largest key in the Jardines del Rey archipelago and one of the most visited. Its most notable beaches are Flamenco and Prohibida. The former, a strip of fine sand that juts into a safe and inviting sea, is among the archipelago’s most attractive. It offers a combination of water sports, horseback riding, and a full range of dining options.

Prohibida Beach, barely explored, stands out for its sand dunes, which are among the best preserved in the Caribbean. Its seabed is comparable to a gigantic aquarium with remarkable biodiversity. It is, in itself, a wonderful refuge from modern life and a place to immerse yourself in the harmony of dreamy places.

Cayo Guillermo

Due to its privileged location and the natural charms of its shores, Cayo Guillermo is a landmark within the Jardines del Rey Archipelago. Its beaches are an ideal place to lie in the sun and enjoy the tranquility and the gentle lapping of the tides.

Pilar Beach, the most beautiful on this key, stands out for having the tallest dunes in the entire Caribbean and shallow, clear waters, ideal for snorkeling and diving, amidst the impressive coral reef that protects it.

El Paso is the longest beach on Cayo Guillermo and a natural gem due to the beauty of its sea, its fine sands, its proximity to the coral reef and, thanks to the winds that blow along its coastline — with sustained speeds of 20 to 40 km — perfect waves for water sports, especially kitesurfing.

Without a doubt, this beach is the place for those who enjoy adventure, action, and adrenaline rushes.

Cayo Paredón Grande

Located in the north of Camagüey province, this small island boasts a vast stretch of beach, protected at its northern tip by towering cliffs, which give it its name.

Cayo Paredón Grande is distinguished by its magnificent views. Its beaches are as fascinating as its landscapes, rich in biodiversity of flora and fauna.

Cayo Cruz

A long and narrow island, stretching approximately 25km from north to south. Most of its eastern coast is surrounded by isolated beaches, true unspoiled paradises. Their fine sand, amazingly clear waters, and gentle slopes offer ideal conditions for swimming and water sports.

Among the most inviting are Playa Cara, Playa Onda, Playa Dorada and Sigua, all with that perfect magic where peace and balance conspire to work miracles.

In Cayo Cruz, the biodiversity of the local flora and fauna enriches the landscape and provides opportunities for ecotourism and observing species in their natural habitat.

Accommodation

In each of the keys, there are 4 and 5-star hotels and resorts located close to the beach. For the convenience of their guests, they operate all-inclusive accommodation. More than 20 of these facilities are managed by prestigious international hotel chains such as Meliá, Iberostar, Muthu, Valentín, Archipelago, and others, which offer travelers high standards of hospitality.

Each hotel in Jardines del Rey has tourism bureaus that facilitate access to nearby attractions and other destinations. Travelers can choose from pre-planned excursions or design their own adventures, with the assistance of a travel agency representative.

Reefs and seabed

The region’s coral reefs boast the greatest biological diversity of marine ecosystems. In this area, in addition to an abundance of small fish, turtles, dolphins and sharks are common.

A coral reef extends along the coastline, surrounding the entire outer edge of the island platform that extends in front of the keys. There are nine high-quality diving areas in the region, including Media Luna, Los Felipes, and Las Coloradas.

Nautical activities in the Jardines del Rey keys include boat adventures, seafaring, snorkeling in the coral reef, fishing, diving, liveaboards, and swimming with dolphins.

Dolphinarium

Located on Cayo Guillermo, the dolphinarium is one of the most fun and popular options in the archipelago, especially among families. Interacting with these intelligent mammals is a truly pleasant experience.

The center includes several interactive programs on the platform and in the water. It also offers push and tow swims, dancing, singing, jumping, and photos with the dolphins in their natural habitat. The dolphinarium also offers a bar and traditional Cuban cocktails.

SPA

The Acuavida Thalassotherapy Center is a facility that contributes to the quality of life of its visitors. It operates with advanced and innovative technology, combining tourism and health, and making use of the resources provided by the surrounding environment. It is based on a sustainable philosophy that promotes healthy interaction between vacationers and nature.

With more than 20 exclusive products and special treatments for facial hygiene, balancing hydrotherapy, aromatic massages, and chocolate therapy, the center bases its programs on the simultaneous use of the benefits of the marine environment for preventive, curative, and recreational purposes. Its main programs focus on well-being, relaxation, stress relief, and beauty.

How to get to Jardines del Rey
This string of islands can be accessed by land and air. By land, via a long, winding roadway over the sea, which connects the main island with the keys that make up the archipelago.

Those who choose a faster and more direct trip can arrive through the Cayo Coco International Airport.

Without further ado, we hope you are welcomed in this privileged destination, with beaches as spectacular as the landscapes that surround them. Places like these, where life is a pleasure, are found in Cuba.