Cayo Largo del Sur is a true paradise for those who are looking for secluded beaches, fine white sand and transparent waters, ideal for diving and practicing water sports. Its size (37.5 square kilometres) makes it the second largest island in the Canarreos archipelago, one of the four groups of isles that surround the island of Cuba. It is located in the south-western part of the Cuban archipelago, at a distance of 177 km from Havana, 170 km from Varadero and 140 km from Nueva Gerona, the capital of Isla de Ia Juventud special district, for merely the refuge of pirates and corsairs and then known as Treasure Island. Thanks to its natural characteristics and the existence of a modern and functional hotel infrastructure that is continually being improved, Cayo Largo del Sur is also an ideal location for wedding trips and honeymoons.

How to get there:

Airline companies from Europe and America and domestic airlines fly directly to Vito Acuña international airport, in Cayo Largo del Sur. It is also possible to arrive by sea, at Puertosol marina, which operates as a free port. In Punta Frances, Isla de Ia Juventud, there are also facilities available for mooring pleasure cruisers.

Sun and sand:

Playa Sirena, (with sand which, thanks to its particular composition, fails to heat up even under the most intense rays of the sun), Lindamar, Tortuga, Playa Blanca, Los Cocos and Paraiso, six magnificent Caribbean beaches, each endowed with its own natural surroundings and which together cover an area of 24 km, ensure thorough enjoyment of the attractions and delights of Cayo Largo del Sur. On the neighboring island of Isla de Ia Juventud, Bibijagua beach, with its exotic black sand, offers a different kind of appeal.

City:

Discovering the delights of Isla del Tesoro (Treasure Island), a setting alleged ly recreated by Scottish writer Robert L.Stevenson in his homonymous novel, is a good reason for traveling to Isla de Ia Juventud and getting to know the historical centre of the city. This includes the Workshop of Applied Arts; the Model Prison, a place where Fidel Castro and his fellow assailants from the Cuartel Moncada (Moncada Barracks) were incarcerated (1953); and the Finca ElAbra museum, the temporary residence of Cuban national hero José Marti (1870). A visit to the island is also worthwhile to get to know a musical genre that is specific to this part of Cuba: El Sucu-Sucu.

Nature:

The excellent standard of preservation of the natural environment in Cayo Largo del Sur, which makes it appear as virgin a spot as it was at the outset, is demonstrated by the fact that each year hundreds of turtles come to its fine sands to lay their eggs, leaving behind them a memorable spectacle. On Isla de Ia Juventud, nature tourism enthusiasts can take a trip to see Jungla de Jones, an age-old wood; or discover Los Indios Ecological Reserve and Cayos de San Felipe fauna reserve.

Active tourism:

Both Cayo Largo del Sur and Isla de Ia Juventud have international diving centres and offer fantastic conditions for enjoying this activity in areas such as Punta Frances, Playa Sirena and Los Batlenatos keys, which are also ideal locations for underwater photography. The presence of coral formations right next to the coast also makes it possible to go snorkeling. Fishing can be carried out in the area around near by Cayo Piedra, Cayeria Los Majáes, Cayos Alcatraces and Cayos Pedraza. Trips on a yacht or catamaran are recommended to Cayo Iguana, a small, natural, Caribbean Jurassic Park; Cayo Rico, Cayo Los Pájaros, Cayo Rosario, Cayo Cantiles and Cayo Sigua. Those keen on speleology tourism have a fantastic opportunity awaiting them:
to visit the caves of Punta del Este, on Isla de Ia Juventud. These were declared a National Monument thanks to the historical value of the cave paintings found on the walls, with such a unique style that they are considered the most important in the Antilles.

Leisure and restaurants

The majority of the selection of restaurants and leisure opportunities can be found at the hotels themselves or at the Plaza del Pirata.