Cayo Largo Travel Guide, Cuba

Cayo Largo del Sur, or shortly Cayo Largo, receiving this name for its long shape, is the second largest island on the Los Canarreos Archipelago, which has more than 300 cays, and includes the Isle of Youth (Cuba’s second largest island).

Cayo Largo draws many tourists, lured mainly by its extraordinary beaches, the best in Cuba, stretching over 25 kilometers.

The cay has also an interesting and rich history going back to aboriginal times: it was a fishing site for nomadic Caribe and Siboney people, whose evidence were found in forms of some remains and artifacts. Christopher Columbus himself visited the place on his second voyage in 1494, and it is known that Cayo Largo was a station for pirates and corsairs as Sir Francis Drake or Henry Morgan, whose treasures are rumored to be lying in the area.

Cayo Largo is situated off the southern coast of mainland Cuba, you can easily get here by plane - most people choose this way of transport -, and even by boat: the marina offers a wide range of facilities. The accommodation infrastructure is well-established, resorts as Sol Club Cayo Largo Hotel, Sol Pelícano, Isla del Sur, villas Lindamar, Soledad and Coral and Barceló Cayo Largo Beach Resort welcome tourists, offering plenty of services for their comfort and entertainment.

You simply cannot get bored in Cayo Largo. Sunbathing, swimming, boat trips, cataraman or yacht cruises, fishing - including bonefishing and deep-sea fishing, beach volleyball, motorcycling, horseback riding, observing the spectacular wildlife, excursions and seafaris to nearby cays, including Iguana Cay (where you can feed iguanas), daily and nightly entertainment at the numerous cafes, bars, dance clubs, revue shows are making part of the abundance of possibilities you can choose from.

The facilities for scuba diving and snorkeling merit special attention. Cayo Largo is considered one of the best diving sites, with 32 diving places in the amazingly clear, shallow waters, among the spectacular coral reefs, tunnels and steep walls. The colorful marine flora and fauna offers an astonishing sight.

The beaches in Cayo Largo are among the best of the Caribbean, not surprisingly, they are the main attraction to this tourist destination. The long strip of beaches will give a beautiful view: the sand is white and just like powder, and the water sparkles in emerald green. One of the major beaches in Cayo Largo is Sirena Beach, where the sand always remains surprisingly cool, and almost 200 sunken ships from the past centuries will burst upon your view when diving.

The shell-alike Lindamar, Les Cocos, and of course Paraiso are also among the finest beaches. The latter is less built-up, however, bringing beach umbrellas with you is a good idea, choosing any of the beaches. It is good to know that both Paraiso and Sirena Beach are popular among topless and even nude sunbathers.

The nature in Cayo Largo is nicely preserved, the extensive and beautiful coral reefs, the abundance of plant and animal population — serious attention has been paid on the protection of turtles, especially — add a great deal to the charms of the cay.

Cayo Largo in itself and its breathtaking beaches welcome you, you will surely have a dreamlike holiday here!