A clean and small tropical exotic island with a clear and warm sea, with a snow-white sandy coast and a huge number of pink flamingos and pelicans - this is the island of Cayo Guillermo. Its area is about 20 square kilometers. The island belongs to the Caribbean, is part of an archipelago that stretches along the northern coast of Cuba. There are four beaches on Cayo Guillermo, with a total length of about 4 kilometers, the most famous of which is Playa Pilar beach, whose name is associated with Ernest Hemingway.
The island is popular for its sand dunes, mangroves, coral reefs.
On the island of Cayo Guillermo of Cuba, hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis. The island is suitable for a relaxing romantic getaway.
Visit card of the island or grandfather Hemingway's favorite island
The hallmark of the island is its exotic tropical nature and surprisingly calm, warm and clear waters. Surfers don't belong here: Cayo Guillermo is the placefor lovers of calm warm transparent sea, diving and fishing.
This island became famous thanks to the legendary novel "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway, which describes the local pearl of the island - Playa Pilar beach. In addition, the writer's yacht is still moored at the island's pier.
The history of the island of Cayo Guillermo and the present
Tourism on the island of Cayo Guillermo began to develop since the end of the twentieth century. Until that moment, residents from other islands came here to fish and communicate with nature (the island itself is not inhabited).
Currently, the island is very famous among tourists, but there is no mass fullness on the beaches. He managed to keep his flavor - untouched solitary charm.
A must see in Cayo Guillermo Cuba
Cuba and the island of Cayo Guillermo know how to surprise. Be sure to see the amazing sand dune, 16 meters high. See the coral reef, make a diving dive and admire the beauty of the coral underwater world. Being alone with nature.
Active recreation and entertainment
The most common tourist attraction in Cuba is scuba diving. There are three water centers on the island: Coco Diving, Action Sports, Abalone, where you can rent a dive uniform and all the necessary equipment, take dive preparation courses.
A fascinating show with sharks is taking place at the Abalon Aquatic Center.
On the island you can try a unique water sport -kiting, that is, ride a board on the water surface, driven by a kite.
Play tennis, beach volleyball, aerobics or sailing on the island.
Local Exotic Cuban Cuisine
Any restaurant at the hotel offers its visitors dishes of international, European and Cuban cuisines. In addition to juicy fruits, freshly cooked fish, delicious cocktails, be sure to try national Cuban cuisine:
- baked or fried meat pies;
- spicy chicken with rice;
- stewed meat stuffed with vegetables;
- sweet potatoes in citrus-garlic sauce;
- rice and red beans and chickpea stew;
- Havana eggs with peppers, cumin and tomatoes;
- sweet fried bananas;
- oxtail stew.
Cocktails with Cuban rum or herbal liqueur and coffee are definitely worth trying.
What souvenirs to bring as a keepsake
Be sure to buy great hot rum, Cuban cigars and cigarettes, original Cuban t-shirts, caps, scarves and skirts, Cuban coffee, musical instruments, guiabera (men's shirt), coral souvenirs, machetes, souvenirs with the image of Che Guevara. There are excellent wood carvers on the island, so pay attention to the mahogany figurines that are here for every taste and style.
But there are also forbidden products that will not be allowed to be taken out of the country: weapons, old books,antiques, stuffed animals, jewelry, black coral and coral products, local volute, tortoise shell, sea shells.
On the island of Cayo Guillermo, the prices for souvenirs are somewhat lower than on the rest of the Cuban islands, so in the shops you can meet tourists from other islands and from Cuba who come here for gifts.
In Cuba and the islands of the archipelago, two currencies are in circulation - the dollar and the peso. When buying a product, you should specify in which currency the price is indicated.
Beaches of Cayo Guillermo
The island's beaches are considered the best in Cuba. The most popular beaches are Playa Pilar and El Paso, which are decorated with a huge sand dune. There are two more beaches - Larga and El Pilar. The length of the beach line is about 4 kilometers. The water here is very clean and resembles a huge aquarium. This is one of the best places for spearfishing and diving.
Beaches are not crowded as there are no hotels. All hotels are located in the eastern part of the island.
The Internet is replete with numerous reviews of Cayo Guillermo (Cuba), tourists who have been here note the beauty of the tropical landscape, cozy sandy beaches, warm calm sea, as if the island and beaches were created for families with children.
Sights of Cayo Guillermo Island, Cuba
The attraction of the island is its nature - amazing mangroves, coconut palms, mahogany, junipers. Colonies of pink flamingos and pelicans live here. The best time to watchbirds and their behavior is the winter period. Fans of eco-tourism will have something to see here, amazing walking and cycling tours are arranged for them.
Not far from the island is the largest coral reef, which is of great interest to fans of fishing and diving.
The sea itself is also an attraction. Boating, sailing and yachting, various water sports and entertainment are very popular. The temperature of the sea water is simply magical! Thus, the average water temperature in the year is +25 - ºС, in the coldest months - in December and January - the water temperature is about +23 ºС, in August it warms up to +29 ºС. It is an exotic paradise for vacationers, the recreational season is open all year round. The air temperature does not drop below +24 ºС even in the coldest months.
What special type of holiday is popular here? Of course, fishing! The catch is fast and easy - these are lobsters, lobsters and crabs. Fishing is treated with special respect here. Many who were interested in the biography of Ernest Hemingway know that he was an avid fisherman. And he sailed to fish on Cayo Guillermo. At the pier of Playa Pilar beach, his yacht is still moored, which bears the same name as the beach. You can buy a fishing tour at any hotel on the island.
In addition, between the islands of Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco there is a lake, which is known throughout the world as the Trout Breeding Center. Here you canpurchase a fishing permit.
Sightseeing trips are also organized, mainly to the cities of Havana, Trinidad or Moron.
Local hotels also arrange various entertainments for vacationers - Cuban parties and all kinds of shows.
Transportation
The nearest airport to the island of Cayo Guillermo is located on the island of Cayo Coco. These two islands are connected by a road. Cayo Coco is connected to Cuba by an artificial highway that runs along a dam. Its length is about 20 kilometers.
Cayo Guillermo Hotels
There are several hotel complexes on the island, hotels offer various services that can satisfy even the most demanding vacationers.
For local residents, except for service workers, access to the resorts of the island is closed.
Restaurants, shops, cafes, sports centers, aquatic centers, diving and fishing equipment rentals operate on the island.
According to vacationers who leave reviews of Cayo Guillermo on the Internet, the best hotels are:
- "Iberostar Dicurie Al Inclusive";
- "Crystal Laguna Villas and Resort" 4;
- "Grand Caribbean Villa Cojimar" 3.
All hotels of the island are located near the sea, just a few meters away, which creates additional comfort for vacationers. A beautiful landscape opens from the windows.
In the evenings, hotels organize an entertainment program for vacationers, Cuban parties and festivals,entertainment shows.
How to get to Cayo Guillermo
The island is connected to the islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Romano by a road laid on an artificial dam. The same road connects the above islands with Cuba, or rather with the city of Moron.
The nearest airport to the island is located on the island of Cayo Coco, from which you can take a taxi to Cayo Guillermo. You can also get here by yacht or boat. The island has two equipped marinas for 15 yachts: Marina Jucaro and Coco Guillermo.
The island of Cayo Guillermo Cuba is a natural pearl of the archipelago. This is a truly picturesque uninhabited island, where you should visit at least once in your life, admire the pristine splendor of mangroves, hear the singing of tropical birds, see the beauty and symbol of the island - the kartakuba bird, meet pink flamingos, soak up the snow-white sandy beach and, of course, take an exciting underwater trip with scuba gear.
