Cayo Largo del Sur: A treasure island

Cayo Largo is a gift from nature. Its stunning beaches and magical landscapes offer a true escape from modern life, the full enjoyment of the most genuine beauty and the opportunity to experience a true adventure.

According to ancient legends, it could be home to hidden treasure, as it was a refuge for corsairs and pirates in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. But without a doubt, the most precious of these treasures is its nature and, within it, the opportunity for unlimited relaxation, always with total respect for the environment.

Located in the Caribbean Sea, at the eastern end of the Los Canarreos Archipelago, Cayo Largo is approximately 135 kilometers from Nueva Gerona, on the Isle of Youth; just 177 kilometers from Havana and 140 kilometers from Varadero. It is also close to Cienfuegos, an attractive destination to include as part of excursions and stays.

Cayo Largo has an area of 37.5 square kilometers and is 25 kilometers long. Its name refers to its geographical appearance; its widest point is six kilometers, and its narrowest is just one. Except for the cliff-lined sections of Punta Piedra and Playa Luna, mangroves and a variety of shallow inlets and labyrinths predominate its nothern area.

The climate, like that of the main island of Cuba, is entirely tropical, with warm temperatures that can reach 29 degrees Celsius in the summer and remain around 25 degrees Celsius during the mild, short winter. Rainfall is usually scarce.

Just four decades ago, this islet was a destination accessible only to fishermen and naturalists. Today, its endless dunes, calm sea, stunning seabed, and delightful privacy offer a truly relaxing stay.

Stretching just over two kilometers and featuring a wide dune, Playa Sirena is one of Cuba’s most beautiful beaches. Its fine sand is of oolitic origin, so it doesn’t retain heat and is always cool, even during the hottest hours of the day. Its sea invites bathers to enjoy a calm swim and snorkeling.

One of the area’s main attractions are its beaches, true oases that invite you to explore and lose all concept of time. Hiking, swimming, diving, and water activities are available along each stretch of sea.

The dream of finding peaceful shores, with white sands and clear waters, is realized at sites like Playa Sirena and Playa Paraíso, world-renowned for their fascinating appeal.

Playa Paraíso, on the other hand, lives up to its name: reserved, intimate, with a unspoilt appearance, its calm sea is astonishingly clear. Other beaches on the key, also known for their unique and inviting charm, are: Lindamar, Los Cocos, Mal Tiempo and Tortuga.

Cayo Largo is one of Cuba’s top diving spots, and many of its visitors often return for this reason. Its seabed, made up of stunning reefs and a spectacular biodiversity of flora and fauna, is among the best preserved on the planet.

Diving among the coral formations and the diverse hues of tropical fish that inhabit its waters is a rewarding experience. Professional and novice divers alike can enjoy the many points of interest in various areas of the key, featuring coral reefs teeming with tunnels and steep walls, gorgonians, and a wealth of underwater life.

On Cayo Largo, nature displays a high degree of conservation; its isolation has turned it into a true wildlife reserve. Turtles and iguanas have found safe refuge here, as well as many colonies of pelicans, seagulls and herons. Palm trees are not abundant among the vegetation, but the landscape is stimulating and pleasing.

A short distance away by sea is Cayo Iguana, a small island inhabited by these large lizards that welcome visitors. Upon disembarking on the key, the reptiles usually approach newcomers and immediately return to their routine, amidst an appropriate ecosystem that allows them to live and develop without interference. There is no human settlement on the small island to avoid encroaching on these animals’ habitat.

Cayo Largo is also one of the main annual nesting areas for three species of sea turtles in the Caribbean: green, loggerhead and hawksbill. A Turtle Farm operates on the small island, integrated into the conservation and protection programs for the island’s natural resources. The farm houses eggs and hatchlings, ready to be returned to their natural habitat.

A comfortable and modern hotel infrastructure, nestled in a natural setting with which it achieves perfect harmony, is part of the key’s benefits.

There is a Nautical Center that offers activities, including catamaran rides. There is also a marina with several docks from which private and tourist boats depart for tours and excursions. The Dolphinarium is one of the options that excites and delights children and adults alike, and its activities include interacting with these intelligent mammals.

The main tourist transportation service consists of small trains that connect the hotels and beaches and are free for guests to use. For those who prefer privacy, a fixed-fare taxi service is available on the key.

The main access routes are by sea and air. Cayo Largo has a nautical base managed by Marina Marlin Cayo Largo and an international airport. The latter is the main entry point to the island via charter flights from Havana or through excursions and tour packages from other parts of Cuba.

Without a doubt, this long, narrow islet offers great rewards for those who love idyllic spaces. Visitors begin enjoying themselves from the moment they arrive on Cayo Largo, a destination offering bliss, surprises and adventures — everything you’d expect from a true vacation. The only thing not enjoyable about this key is having to say goodbye.