Cayo Coco

Cayo Coco, Cuba

Cayo Coco's spectacular white sandy beaches remained untouched for centuries, and despite recent development, they still retain that same feeling, with untamed mangroves, beautiful coral reefs and colorful flocks of flamingos dotting the turquoise waters. Together with nearby Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Coco has become Cuba's third most popular destination after Havana and Varadero, and it's not hard to see why.

Population:

Currency:

Cuba uses two distinct currencies: Cuban Peso (CUP) and Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC).

CUP can only be used by Cubans and residents of Cuba.

Visitors to the island will be doing most, if not all, of their transactions in CUC. It is technically the only currency tourists are allowed to use. Prices at most restaurants and shops will be displayed in CUC.

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 106
Ambulance: 104
Fire brigade: 105

Opening Hours:

Newspapers:

The Island

Cayo Coco is a stretch of land on the Jardines del Rey ('Gardens of the King') archipelago, located just off the northern coast of Cuba and connected to the rest of the country by a 27-kilometer causeway ('pedraplén'). Though the area was first explored by early Spanish colonizers as far back as the early 1500's, development in Cayo Coco only took off in the 1990's. The development of nearby Cayo Guillermo is even more recent, and in both cases all development was aimed exclusively towards tourists.

The key with Cayo Coco is isolation. Visitors to any of the area's resorts can enjoy the pristine beaches and surrounding untamed mangroves without any other developments standing in their way. This means, however, that it can be difficult to get a good sense of local life since there are no towns or settlements for miles in any direction. A day trip to nearby Morón can be a rewarding experience to get a taste of Cuban residential areas, however, and is highly recommended. Otherwise, though, sit back and enjoy the idyllic beaches and absolute peace and quiet of beautiful Cayo Coco.

Beaches

Cuba's beaches are famous the world over for their crystalline waters, white powder sand, beautiful mangroves and picture-perfect palm trees. With over 22 kilometers of beaches in Cayo Coco, you're spoiled for choice, but here we've narrowed it down to the best of the best.

Do & See

Cayo Coco's main attraction is its pristine beaches and calm waters, and as such, most visitors spend their days enjoying the sunshine, but there are numerous worthwhile activities on offer, including great diving spots, interesting nature tours and fun activities for the whole family. For a taste of local Cuban life, a day-trip to the small town of Morón is a must, or for even more relaxation, be sure to check out one of the island's spas.

Dining

Cayo Coco's numerous hotels offer fantastic high-quality cuisine from top chefs. They offer great variety, from typical Cuban dishes to the best of international gastronomy. However, the area also offers more local alternatives, especially in the form of 'ranchones', or local beach restaurants, famous for their grilled lobster. Lenny's is probably the best known and most popular, but they are all worth a try.