The beach may have put the area on the tourist map, but it has managed to keep a natural feel, with trees and shrubs creeping down to the shoreline. Caribbean governments are acknowledging that the seaweed, which impacts on tourism, fisheries and wildlife, could pose a long-term threat. Needless to say, visiting Cuban beaches is one of the best things to do in Cuba. Follow along; we will cover the best beaches in Cuba to suit all tastes. In fact, many beaches and resorts are clear. It might not have the bright turquoise tone of Cubas northern beaches, but, is one of the islands most beautiful sand-and-sea escapes and definitely the best beach on the southern coastline. I've seen pics of the weed 12ft. I stayed at a resort that was invaded by algae. Follow the brown seaweeds invasion, check the older maps : 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018. From Namibias wind-swept Skeleton Coast to Javas G-Land, discover the best place to hang ten, whatever your surfing ability. The northern cays, a network of small islets, interspersed by turquoise waters and mangrove colonies, form one of Cubas newest tourist resorts. Internet in Cuba for Tourists (2023 Update), Classic Cars of Cuba: Meet the Islands Timeless Treasures. We normally go to Varadero however we booked 2 weeks at Cayo Coco for this upcoming May/20. A number of beaches await you at the north side of the 30km-long coral key the longest of which is Playa Los Pinos, a blindingly white beach thats perfect for a few days of complete tranquillity. Playa Arena Gorda Fat Sand Beach. Report inappropriate content. Travel protection benefits such as trip interruption and cancellation, baggage delay insurance, etc., are not required. 06 of 10 Isla Blanca Doug Depies / Getty Images Cayo Blanco Varadero #6. East of Nueva Gerona, and an easy bike ride from town, Playa Paraso beach is popular with locals, who call it El Mini. You might think that its always the best time to visit Cuba. Report inappropriate content 8. Cubas wet season earned its nickname thanks to the heavy rainfall that hits the island from late spring to early fall. Before visiting a place with that many beaches, you may want to know the best beaches in Cuba. Touring art galleries or museums in the area. Try this one if you want to visit a sleepy and quieter beach. Playa Paraiso Cayo Largo del Sur #2. If you dont feel like spending your trip to the best beaches in Cuba suffering from food-related illnesses, avoid street food as much as you can. Grand Anse in St. Georges, Grenada: A Caribbean Beach Without Seaweed. 1. We prepared the list of the best beaches in Cuba after extensive research and many user reviews to ensure we only offer you the best. In Barbados, sargassum has been hitting southern and eastern shores since May. I stayed at a resort that was invaded by algae. Protected from harsh winds and rough waves by the offshore coral reef, and with over 2km of stunning white sands, Playa Sirena, at the western tip of the cay, enjoys a deserved reputation as the most beautiful of all the beaches on Cayo Largo (if not in all of Cuba). We support you to make the most of your time on earth. WebAnswer 1 of 3: Hi we are planning holiday to Cuba,but are hearing of seaweed problem on beaches. Has anybody been to Jabacoa and Cayo Santa Maria lately and can let me know the situation. However, the beaches are absolutely perfect. Book Your Flight Book cheap flights to Cuba on Skyscanner, our favorite flight search engine to find deals on flights to Cuba. The beautiful Caribbean has countless places where couples can discover romance. Is it that bad around Cuba? All rights reserved. Bahia de Naranjo a dolphin sanctuary where you can swim with the dolphins. Seaweed and algae will roll in one tide and wash up on the beaches. Typically, mosquitoes thrive in damp and hot climates, so Cubas rainy season is a favorite for them. I am grateful for the information about what to expect in Cuba. If you prefer to plan and book your trip to the Cuba without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be. Sunscreen and water bottle with filter are a must. Planning to travel here? The Mexican government and hotels in the Yucatan Peninsula have stepped up their efforts to tackle it, however, the majority of low-budget hotels and hostels do not have the means to clean their beaches on a daily basis. Sunburn, dehydration, and heat stroke are all serious risks if you arent prepared. "The issue is that we never know what it's going to be like - we can have a week or two weeks where it's very clear and then all of a sudden overnight it washes in," says Larry Basham of Elite Island Resorts, which runs St James's Club. 6. You may also choose to go for a fishing excursion, revel in the adventures of deep-sea fishing, or partake in bottom fishing. However, some regions in Cuba are more blessed than others. The beach is as stunning as you can imagine: aquamarine waves gently lapping at the shoreline, sun-soaked sands flanked by coconut trees and enough space to feel like you're on your own private island. More than 50 countries across the world host Carnival, but it's in Latin America and the Caribbean that you will find its beating heart. For example, in 2021, Playa Cayo Santa Maria ranked 2nd as the best beach globally and won the top spot for the best beach in the Caribbean by Tripadvisors Travelers Choice Awards. Three years later the seaweed returned, in larger quantities. I've seen pics of the weed 12ft. However, this location is plagued by mosquitoes, so ensure you bring repellent with you. Where is it collecting. However, there are still plenty of exciting festivals and cultural events. is the quintessential Cuban beach resort, with warm, shallow waters in graduated shades of blue, palm-fringed sand dunes and a phenomenal array of local restaurants and all-inclusive accommodations. The small hoop of rather grubby, seaweed-strewn sand is somewhat redeemed by its friendly atmosphere and a striking hill behind, whose shadow lengthens over the beach in the afternoon. Best beach for families and inclusive resort stays. Your daily activities, budget, and even the fresh foods you eat will depend on the season. Cuba has two seasons. However, you should know that Cuba has two distinct seasons that may have a big impact on the weather, the travel costs, the mosquitoes, and, most importantly, how much fun youll have on your trip. site may be reprodiced without our written permission. Best Caribbean Beaches Without Seaweed: Where to Go in 2023. In fact, youll have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in outdoor activities, whether exploring the cities, hiking in the Sierra Maestra, or enjoying the countryside on horseback. The sandy beach in this area is beautiful with turquoise water and stooping palm trees. The peninsula is usually flooded with tourists and locals, especially during Summer. #3. Driving to Matanzas and stopping by for photos at the Bacunayagua bridge. Playa Varadero Varadero #3. The place is also perfect for disconnecting from everyone and everything. There are no sharp rocks or strong currents; the water is calm and relatively shallow. Northern Camaguey has two outstanding jewels: Santa Lucia and Playa Los Cocos. Playa Pesquero is located in Northern Holguin, an area with excellent tourist infrastructure with beautiful hotels, and exemplary staff. Playa Varadero Varadero #3. Plus, if you are a member of the LGBT society, you will be glad to know that more and more gay and gay-friendly places of entertainment are sprouting randomly all over Cuba. Seaweed and algae will roll in one tide and wash up on the beaches. The information regarding this particular aspect is so scattered, so it takes some time to dig in and find the complex picture of Cuba seasonality. Grand Anse in St. Georges, Grenada: A Caribbean Beach Without Seaweed. It also includes a visit to the province capital Matanzas and some free time at Coral Beach. After all, compared to many places on Earth, Cuba has beautiful weather all year round. Havana has some gorgeous beaches that you can easily access via a short drive from the city center. Playa Varadero Varadero #3. We also write about our passion for Cuba, from in-depth travel guides to myth-busting articles. Guardalavaca Holguin #7. Beautiful Grande Anse beach in Grenada has not been hit by sargassum seaweed 2. "It came as a complete shock and no-one had a clue what to do with it.". The clothing-optional beaches in Cuba are: Cayo Largo is Cubas most popular place for naturist beach lovers. Mi Cayito, as we mentioned before, is the most popular gay beach in Cuba. TorontoJoyce. 3 years ago Save There is a new long range ecological problem in the Caribbean: Sargassum algae which looks like seaweed is a mess on many Caribbean beaches. These places are best for beaches in Cuba: Varadero Beach; Guardalavaca Beach; Ancon Beach; Santa Maria Beach; Playa Paraiso; See more beaches in Cuba on Tripadvisor Nesting sites can be blocked by sargassum or damaged by removal work - and the sea is no safe refuge. If so, is it a difficult process? Playa Los Cocos (Santa Lucia) Camaguey #9. 06 of 10 Isla Blanca Doug Depies / Getty Images "It is definitely a very large challenge, and a challenge that goes way beyond the capacity of small island states," says Ms Monnereau of the FAO. Is it possible to locate aplace for my husband and I. The beaches are often free of seaweed beyond the Hard Rock Hotel to Macao Beach. Note that not all beaches in Northeastern Holguin are rocky. WebSo far, the Atlantic coast; Varadero Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria and Holguin /Guradalavaca have not been affected. 1. Varadero and the islands of the Jardines del Rey archipelago are just a few essential stops on the long list of flawless turquoise-edged strands surrounding the island. Cuba is primarily a cash country, and you will pay most of your trip to Cuba costs in Cuban Pesos (CUPs). Cayo Cocos big three beaches, home to the all-inclusives and packed with boisterous activities, hog the narrow easternmost peninsula jutting out of the cays north coast. Catches are affected - in sargassum years flying fish numbers have fallen significantly, although it is not clear why. The sargassum has remained in the Caribbean and some outlets to the Atlantic. Cuba is HOT! The best time to visit Cuba is during the dry season (November to April). Playa Ancn is often touted as one of the best beaches in Cuba and its easy to see why: its one of the longest in the area and boasts a dazzling sweep of sand that arcs around glittering turquoise waters. The best beaches are clustered on the north coast, dominated by the all-inclusive hotels whose tendrils are gradually spreading along the rest of the northern coastline. 1. some of the links are not available anymore (the NOAA index, Cuban events, and the tourism stats link) Las Parrandas is a carnival-like festival that happens every year in Remedios, a small town about 1hr and 20 minutes from Cayo Santa Maria. You can also visit BioParque Rocazul, a small natural park where you can enjoy horseback riding and fishing. If you are such a frolicker, you will find the community at Cayo Santa Maria quite open-minded. The white beach of La Perla Blanca, Cuba Shutterstock. A handful of all-inclusive hotels dot the area, but beaches are public and popular among locals from May to September. Playa Ancon is the best beach in Southern mainland Cuba. Combined, we have two Bachelors degrees in Tourism Management, one Masters degree in Hospitality, and a Bachelors degree in Journalism. Report inappropriate content 1-8 of 8 replies Sorted by 1 cubacarol Morne Rouge Beach on Grenada. Playa Paraiso Cayo Largo del Sur #2. "You see metres high of sargassum piled up on shore but you're also seeing it in the ocean," says Iris Monnereau, a Barbados-based fisheries expert with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). What's going on in Cuba? TorontoJoyce. Im unsure of what the weather is expected to be. "In 2011 it was the first time we'd seen it," says Professor Hazel Oxenford, an expert in fisheries biology and management at the University of the West Indies. Playa Paraiso is on Cayo Largos southwest coast, while Playa Sirena is on its western tip. 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