• Submitted by: admin
• Travel and Tourism
• Destinations
• 06 / 05 / 2007

Cuba's exuberant nature, centuries-old traditions and history go hand in hand with nearly 3,600 miles of coasts, including 400 miles of excellent beaches.

The Minister of Tourism website, says Cuban beaches combine with the island's tropical climate, fine sand and crystal-clear waters, to conform an offer that vacationers cannot refuse.

The average temperature in the island is 24.6 degrees Celsius (76.2 degrees Fahrenheit). Even the capital, full of charms that characterize a city that is nearly five centuries old, does not escape from the influence of its beaches, since the so-called Blue Circuit is located to the east.

More than 10 miles of white-sand beaches of excellent quality, decorate the area known as Santa María del Mar.

In the neighboring province of Havana, Jibacoa beach stands out, due to the peculiar landscape, where the calm waters are surrounded by hills that are up to 100 yards high and run parallel to the coast, giving the place a pleasant sense of privacy.

In western Cuba, the world-famous resort of Varadero shares 15 miles of pristine beaches in the Hicacos Peninsula, becoming a favorite spot for those seeking white sand and crystal-clear waters that cover all shades from blue to green.

There are also black-sand beaches, such as the beautiful Bibijagua Beach, on the Isle of Youth, or the brown-sand beach of Marea del Portillo, in eastern Granma province, due to the rocks covering their seabeds.

In the central part of the Caribbean island, the Ancón Peninsula boasts one of the best Cuban beaches on the southern coast, with an irregular seabed inhabited by large colonies of black coral.

In Villa Clara, Cayo Santa María's excellent beaches, concentrated in barely 9 square miles, are ready for the enjoyment of the most demanding tourists.

Some experts consider Santa Lucía -in eastern Camagüey province- the hidden Eden and one of the best beaches in the world, with cream sand and facilities to practice all kinds of nautical activities, including a daring safari to feed the sharks.

A singular touch is provided by a huge coral barrier (regarded by many experts as the second largest in the world), which protects the beach and runs for 250 miles parallel to Cayo Sabinal, Cayo Guajaba, Cayo Romano and Cayo Cruz.

In Jardines del Rey, one of Cuba's major tourist regions, 20 miles of virgin Cuban beaches await vacationers on Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.

In eastern Cuba, Holguín has equally an excellent location, especially in Bariay, the place where Admiral Christopher Columbus landed in 1492, and other well-known Cuban beaches such as Guardalavaca, Esmeralda and Pesquero.