Joanna James
Imagine pristine stretches of soft, white sands adorned with glistening turquoise waves, and even then, you can't fully capture the sheer beauty of the enchanting coastal paradises found in Cuba. Here are the scintillating sea-worthy settings you can’t miss.
Whether you’re an ardent thrill-seeker bent on chasing adventures or a more laid-back beachcomber content to lull your senses in tropical luxury, Cuba’s lavish ivory and azure seascapes are buoyant with stimulating activities and enriching relaxation. While there’s plenty to distract even the most blasé globetrotter in picturesque Varadero – from rustic boulevards, chocolate cafes, vibrantly atmospheric flea markets, to otherworldly cave pools – the ivory sands lined with swirls of turquoise crystal found at Varadero beach beat them all! From splashing, lounging, sporting, and snorkelling in iridescent coral realms to sampling decadent seafood at the various paladars and roaming gorgeous Matanzas with its retro-chic vibes, there’s no shortage of exhilaration in store.
The largest Caribbean Island brims with nature-kissed heritage glamour and contemporary craftsmanship housed in old-world façades, whether it’s the rustic market for used books in Plaza de Armas, the Camera Obscura tower for phenomenal views, or the dreamy 18th-century stained glass persona of the Casa del Conde Jaruco. However, if your head is pleasantly stuffed with tantalising tidbits of history, Paraíso Beach, with its cool waters ranging between azure and sapphire, beguiling turtle hatcheries, and tranquil island adventures, is one of the foremost spots to unwind.
From irresistible wildlife sanctuaries and untouched spun-sugar beaches hemmed with emerald foliage to pastel-toned colonial buildings lining timeless streets, this incredible archipelago is ideal if you crave some indulgent pampering amid jaw-dropping beauty. If you’re looking for a more secluded Varadero hideaway, Cayo Blanco is as serene as it gets, with excitingly crumbly sandbanks from which you can slide into the sparkling waves and quieter water sports available for those seeking more action!
If you want to live in a cinematic yet slice-of-life Ernest Hemingway novel while also encountering the wild freedom of a native flamingo colony, you can have all of that and more at Pilar Beach. It is iconic for its beachside restaurants, marine diversity, exciting aquatic antics, and infectiously vivacious culture.
Whether you can’t get enough of adrenaline-rich nautical escapades or simply enjoy lounging in the lap of luxuriant nature, the transparent cerulean blue waters, playful tropical aura, and silky palm frond shades at Playa Larga are nothing if not captivating. If you’re looking for avant-garde inter-Caribbean flights to start your bucket-list adventures, venture no further than the likes of InterCaribbean Airways.
Whether it's deliciously quaint cottage-style hotels, fascinating shipwrecks, inviting hammocks strung between palm trees, or glassy waters that constantly shift between brilliant hues of blue, this alluringly remote corner of the stunning archipelago is full of experiences worth relishing.
For a more off-the-beaten-track excursion, you can’t pick a more enchanting destination than Playa Guardalavaca, with its ivory-powdered beaches and crystalline ocean fringed by lush plantations of tamarind and sea grapes, undulating green hills, palm avenues, sugar cane fields, and refreshing country lanes perfect to explore on a moped or bicycle.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
