Cayo Coco Holidays

Cayo Coco sits on Cuba's northern Jardines del Rey archipelago, and it's all about the beach: 22km of white sand, turquoise shallows, and all-inclusive resorts right on the shore.

Overview

Part of the Jardines del Rey island chain off Cuba's north coast, Cayo Coco is a proper fly-and-flop destination. The northern coastline is lined with white-sand beaches, most of the resorts sit right on the shore, and the all-inclusive packages mean you barely need to think about anything once you land. Away from the sunbed there's world-class snorkelling on one of the Caribbean's biggest coral reefs, flamingo colonies in the island's interior, and Havana is only a short flight away for a day of culture.

Beaches

Cayo Coco's northern coastline runs 22km of white sand, and most of it is blissfully quiet. Playa Larga and Playa Flamencos are the standouts: shallow, calm water and soft sand that goes on for ages. Most hotels are right on the beach, so the commute from your sunbed to the sea is measured in steps, not minutes.

Food & Drink

Cuban food borrows from Taino, Spanish, and African kitchens, and the results are properly tasty. Resort buffets cover international cuisine, but the Cuban staples are worth seeking out: arroz con pollo, ropa vieja (shredded beef slow-cooked with peppers and tomato over rice), and Cuban sandwiches stuffed with roast pork, ham, cheese, and pickles. Wash it down with a Mojito, a Daiquiri, or a Cafe Cubano if you need the caffeine more than the rum.

Culture

Cuba runs on its own clock, and Cayo Coco is no exception. Days are built around the beach and the pool, and evenings come alive with salsa, rumba, and son. The island is quieter than Havana or Varadero, which is part of the appeal: it's the kind of place where doing very little feels like exactly the right move.

Nightlife

Cayo Coco is not a clubbing destination, but it has one properly unique night out. La Cueva del Jabali is a bar and live music venue built inside an actual cave. DJs, salsa bands, and dancing until late, all underground. Beyond the cave, most evenings revolve around resort entertainment, poolside bars, and beach barbecues. If you want a bigger night out, Havana is only a short flight or a few hours by road.

Things to do in Cayo Coco

Day trip to Havana

Cuba's capital is only a short domestic flight from Cayo Coco (around an hour), or about five to six hours by road. A day trip gets you the colonial plazas of Old Havana, a ride in a 1950s convertible, rum tastings, and lunch at a paladar. Most resorts can arrange the trip, or you can book through local tour operators.

Snorkelling and diving on the reef

Cayo Coco sits next to one of the largest coral reef systems in the Caribbean. Boat trips to the reef run daily, and the snorkelling is brilliant even if you've never done it before: clear water, colourful fish, and coral close to the surface. For certified divers, there are deeper sites with swim-throughs and wall dives. Most resorts have a dive centre or can book you onto a trip.

Flamingo spotting

The island's interior lagoons are home to large colonies of pink flamingos. You can see them from the causeway that connects Cayo Coco to the mainland, or on guided nature walks through the mangroves. Early morning is the best time, before the heat sends everyone back to the pool.