Cayo santa maria. Cayo Santa Maria Cayo Santa Maria
The charming island of Cayo Santa Maria, washed by the Atlantic Ocean, nestled off the picturesque coast of Cuba, not far from the island of Cayo Coco. You can get here through the dam.
Cayo Santa Maria is famous for its luxurious sandy beaches and amazingly clear water. The attention of travelers is attracted by dizzying rocky cliffs of incredible height and shape. This amazing island in the middle of the ocean is the perfect place for all lovers of romance and solitude.
Near Cayo Santa Maria are the equally beautiful islands of Cayo Las Brujas and Cayo Ensenachos. All of them are happy owners of excellent beach areas covered with soft white sand. The surroundings of these islands serve as an unsurpassed place for romantic sea cruises and jeep safaris, diving, fishing and other water activities.
The purest sea depths of Cayo Santa Maria are endowed with a fauna of fabulous beauty. The underwater kingdom of the island with its mesmerizing coral reefs attracts many lovers of diving to the seabed.
The main attractions of Cayo Santa Maria are its eleven kilometers of picturesque wild beaches, which will take more than one day to explore. Surrounded by virgin nature between beaches and tropical thickets, there is a cozy tourist village, romantically called "Star". This place is very popular, however, like the island itself.
Foreign visitors come here to have a good time in excellent bowling alleys, restaurants and discos, to empty their wallets in local souvenir shops and massage parlors. A luxurious hotel complex has been built on the island of Cayo Santa Maria. Each hotel provides its customers with excellent service. Without leaving the territory of the hotel, you can find a lot of interesting activities: play tennis, volleyball, ping-pong, billiards, basketball, learn the basics of diving in the pool, take a bike ride or shoot a real bow.
Clubs and wonderful playgrounds are equipped for the youngest tourists. While the adults are learning Latin American dances or learning Spanish, their children can have a great time in the company of other kids. And on warm evenings, a variety of fun entertainment programs are arranged here.
If tourists miss civilization, they can make an interesting excursion to the city of San Juan de los Remedios, located sixty kilometers from the island. Having visited its historical center, declared a national monument, you only have time to admire the beauty and originality of the local architecture.
Cayo Santa Maria in Cuba is the perfect place for those who want privacy and tranquility. "Royal Gardens" - this is literally translated the name of the Jardines del Rey archipelago, which includes the island. The vegetation here is truly royal: lush jungles and mangroves create a feeling of incredible unity with nature. Couples in love come here to celebrate their wedding and spend their honeymoon, because a romantic vacation on Cayo Santa Maria is without exaggeration beyond praise: the azure expanse of the ocean, snow-white soft sand and the bewitching beauty of the surrounding landscapes create all the conditions for this.
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In fact, the resort of Cayo Santa Maria is not one island, but three. Very close to the main one there are two very tiny islands - Cayo Las Brujas and Cayo Ensenachos, as well as Santa Maria, famous for their wild beaches and rich underwater fauna. In addition, one of the main features of this resort is that it is perfectly blown by winds from the Atlantic, which creates excellent conditions for windsurfing.
History and modernity
Like many other islands of Cuba, Cayo Santa Maria has gained wide popularity among tourists after the construction of a bulk dam, allowing you to get here from the main island of the country. Once an ordinary fishing island, now Cayo Santa Maria is the youngest Cuban resort with excellent infrastructure and everything you need for a great holiday.
What to see, where to visit
A measured, relaxing holiday offers its guests the resort of Cayo Santa Maria, but Cuba is also famous for exciting excursions. After sunbathing enough on the amazing beaches of the island, you can go to San Juan de los Remedios, a colonial city whose historical center has been declared a national monument. Only sixty kilometers and you can enjoy all its architectural splendor.
Fans of entertainment should head to the newly built tourist village of Pueblo La Estrella, which means "Star" in Spanish. It is located between the coast and the territory of the Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria hotel. There is everything here not to get bored: all kinds of shops, bars and restaurants, a disco, a SPA center and a massage parlor, bowling and much more.
Beaches
The entire northern coast of the island was created in order to experience a real relaxation vacation, because it is here that people come to the Cuban islands for the sake of it - beaches. And on this island there are as many as eleven kilometers of them, conventionally divided into six sectors. It is hardly possible to find a bad beach in Cuba, and Cayo Santa Maria is proof of this - every coast here is a piece of paradise! And despite the fact that all the beaches here are municipal, not private, they are all in excellent condition and equipped to the highest standard. Well, if you want absolute privacy, then you should choose Playa Perla Blanca beach, however, in order to get to it, you will have to rent a scooter or a bicycle.
Entertainment and active recreation
As elsewhere on the Cuban islands, water sports flourish here - from catamarans to windsurfing. Each hotel necessarily has the possibility of scuba diving and snorkeling - diving and snorkeling are held in high esteem here. You can try yourself as a canoe or kayak paddler, and for fans of a more relaxed pastime, fishing is suitable.
Local cuisine and wines
Restaurants on the island offer dishes from Cuban cuisine, as well as international, Mediterranean and even Japanese cuisines. Here you can enjoy plenty of tropical fruits, seafood and, of course, cocktails based on rum - the national drink of Cuba. Cayo Santa Maria is famous for its wonderful restaurants inside and outside the hotels.
On the islands of Cayo Santa Maria and Ensenachos, various excursions are also offered for tourists so that you can dilute your beach holiday with interesting trips or boat trips. Main land excursion programs. On the islands of Cayo Santa Maria and Ensenachos, various excursions are also offered for tourists so that you can dilute your beach holiday with interesting trips or boat trips. We bring to your attention the main land excursion programs, which are conducted in English and Spanish.
1. Mototura - Micronatura
This is the new tour offered by Gaviota Tur:
This adventure that opens the key to Cayo Santa Maria begins with a scooter ride to see bird, animal and insect habitats, followed by a walking tour and swimming time in an exclusive area on the island's promontory.
Price per adult 27 CUC
Cost per child 21 CUC
2. Aventura en la Montana Adventures in the mountains
Departure from the hotel at 07-30 (first hotel)
Arrival in "Guanayara" - the most beautiful natural park in the large reserve of Topes de Collantes. The descent by truck to the starting point of the trail "Centinelas del Rio Melodioso", which leads to the waterfall "El Rocio" with the possibility of walking or boating on the river - this last section is the most difficult. At the end you will find the natural pool "El Venado" where you can cool off in the cool water. In continuation, you will have lunch at the restaurant "La Gallega". Return by trucks to the bus.
Return at 18-30
- Comfortable shoes and clothes
Cost for children 48 CUC
3. Topes Overnight Topes de Collantes with an overnight stay
First day. Departure to the city of Trinidad with a visit to the tower TorreManaca Iznaga. City tour of Trinidad, called Cuba's best museum city in the country. Visiting museums and the house "Alafarero". Dinner. Free time in the historical center to buy souvenirs. A trip to the mountains of Topes de Collantes, where you can see the view of Trinidad and the Caribbean coast.
Accommodation at the hotel "Los Helechos"
Second day. Arrival in "Guanayara" - the most beautiful natural park in the large reserve of Topes de Collantes. The descent by truck to the starting point of the trail "Centinelas del Rio Melodioso", which leads to the waterfall "El Rocio" with the possibility of walking or boating on the river - this last section is the most difficult. At the end you will find the natural pool "El Venado" where you can cool off in the cool water. In continuation, you will have lunch at the restaurant "La Gallega". Return by trucks and visit the House of Coffee, where you will learn the traditional methods of growing and processing coffee and taste the typical Cafe Colado.
- For active and physically prepared tourists
- Comfortable shoes and clothes
Cost for children 74 CUC
4. Dos Cuidades coloniales Two colonial cities
Departure by bus at 07-30 (first hotel)
Welcome cocktail at the Sancti Spiritus at the 4* Villa hotel founded by the Spanish colonialists. Visit "Casa del Alfarero" where you will see the manufacturing process in a ceramic factory. Dinner. Walk around Trinidad, a unique colonial city with a visit to museums.
Free time to buy souvenirs.
Return to the hotel at 19-00.
Cost for adults 73 CUC
Cost for children 55 CUC
5.Jeep Safari Jeep Safari
Departure by buses to Caibarien at 8-00 (first hotel)
Continuation of the road in jeeps with a panoramic visit to a Cuban farm, where you will see the life of ordinary Cubans. Criole lunch in a restaurant. Time to observe nature.
Return to Caibarién by road. Bus transfer to the hotel.
Return approximately at 18-00
Cost for adults 70 CUC
Cost for children 53 CUC
6. Santa Clara Remedios Santa Clara Remedios
Departure from the hotel at 7-30 (first hotel)
A short train ride from the early 20th century to the colonial city of "San Juan de los Remedios". The colonial city has preserved 8 villas where the Spanish volunteers lived in Cuba. Walk through the central park with a visit to the old church with an altar made of natural gold. Visit to a tobacco factory. Dinner. A visit to the Revolution Square with a memorial to "Ernesto Che Guevara", which became not only a revolutionary platform, but also the place of Che's last burial. Free time to shop for souvenirs in the central park and boulevard in the center of Santa Clara, stop for a photo of the train wreck during the revolution.
Return to the hotel at 18-30
Cost for adults 75 CUC
Cost for children 56 CUC
7. Habana por Avion To Havana by plane
Departure by bus at 6-00. Flight at 8-30 to Havana 50 minutes.
Visiting the most interesting places in the Cuban capital: Revolution Square with a memorial to Jose Marti, Malecon, Prado Boulevard, Central Park with the Bolshoi Theater and the Capitol. Lunch and a walk through Old Havana, protected as a heritage of mankind with its main squares: the Square of Arms with the Palace of Capitals, where the government of the Spanish colonialists met and "El Templete", where the decision was made to found Havana. San Francisco square with church. Time to buy souvenirs.
Return to the hotel at 19-30
Cost for adults 170 CUC
Cost for children 150 CUC
Plus airport tax
Near the islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, another popular tourist island in Cuba, Cayo Santa Maria, is located. It is also very close to the northern coast of the province of Villa Clara. Like all the rest, it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. A fairly large dam connects the island to the mainland. Its length is almost 49 km. Not far away are the slightly smaller islands called Las Brujas and Ensenchos.
Cayo Sant Maria is quite a small island. It is about 13 km long and almost 2 km wide. The island is one of the components of the Royal Gardens archipelago. All gardens on the islands belong to an important biosphere reserve. That is why the net flora is under the strict protection of UNESCO.
This island is most often chosen by newlyweds to spend their honeymoon here. And a secluded walk to the island of St. Mary will be remembered by them for many years.
What to bring?
For a holiday on Cayo Santa Maria, you only need medical insurance, which can be obtained from the tour operator. Visa for tourists not more than 30 days is not needed.
How to get there?
There is only one way to get to the island - along the Pedraplain dam. Although the nearest islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo are about 30 km long, the length of the dam is much longer. The path through the dam will take approximately 30 minutes. From other countries you can fly by plane. The airport closest to the island is in Santa Clara. But it takes at least 1.5 hours to get there. Shuttle buses also leave regularly.
You can also fly to the airport on the island of Las Bujas. But it only accepts planes from local airlines. Flights to Las Bujas depart from Havana.
Transport
Cayo Santa Maria has only one good road. You can move here without any problems only along the dam. All other roads, small forks and streets are mostly sandy. That is why all vacationers are advised to rent scooters or jeeps. And it is best to travel by one of these modes of transport to ensure your safety on the way to the eastern beaches.
The fare across the dam is $2. In some cases, they may ask for documents confirming the reservation and payment for rooms in one of the hotels in Cayo Santa Maria or Cayo Ensenachosa.
Also on the island you can always use taxi services. For tourists, they work around the clock. But in this case, you will need to order a taxi in advance, especially if you have to go on a long journey. They are on duty at almost every hotel.
To get to a small village called Caibarien, you will need to pay $35, and if you immediately order a taxi for the round trip, the fare will be $65. It will cost $40 to get to Remedios village, and $75 round-trip. You can get to Santa Clara for $35 and round-trip for $130. Well, the most inexpensive will be the fare to Cayo Ensenachos, one way you will need to pay $ 5, and round trip - $ 10.
Vehicle rental on vacation in 2020
If you rent a scooter for trips around Cayo Saeta Maria, you will also need to take a helmet. As a rule, each of them has two seats for the driver and passenger. But since there are only sandy roads on the island, it is better to ride a scooter alone. This is to ensure that the vehicle has enough power to overcome some of the sand obstacles. The cost of renting a scooter for 1 hour in 2020 will be $14. If you take it for 12 days, you will need to pay $33 per day. For more than three days, rent will cost $24 per day. And if you rent for a week or more, then you need to pay $ 20 per day.
Most hotels offer bicycle rentals. Each hotel will be happy to share them. You can find them in the same place where they rent a scooter or jeeps. But due to the fact that Cuba is a place where a tropical climate prevails, and the weather is either rainy or dry, bicycles quickly become covered with rust and their appearance leaves much to be desired. But do not despair. When the weather is good on the island, you can ride on such a not new two-wheeled “friend”.
And of course, cars are the most comfortable transport on the island. Among them, jeeps are more popular and practical. If you rent them, then the car will always have a full tank of gasoline. Accordingly, the transport must also be returned fully refueled. You can refuel at a gas station near the airport in Las Brujas. This is the nearest and only gas station in the area. You can rent a Jeep for $70 a day. This price already includes insurance. In this case, the car will be able to drive no more than 100 km. Each additional kilometer traveled is charged at a rate of $0.35. Renting a regular car will cost $60 per day, including insurance. At the same time, the conditions are similar - this cost is only for the 100 km traveled, everything over is paid in the amount of $ 0.35 per 1 km.
shopping
On the island, go shopping in the village of Pueblo La Estrella. It is also a famous fan village. There are many good restaurants, bars, discos, massage parlors and bowling clubs. The nightlife here is in full swing and attracts a large number of tourists. You can get to Pueblo La Estrella by shuttle bus. They operate regularly and depart from destinations throughout the day. If you leave from the Royal Hideaway Ensenachos, you will need to overcome the path of almost 6 km. Sol Caya Santa Maria is 4 km from the road. Melia Cayo Santa Maria is 3.3 km away, and the nearest hotel is Melia Las Dunas, from which the village is only 2.5 km away.
Internet
There is a connection on the island, but there is practically no unlimited Internet. The connection takes quite a long time, so you should not take a laptop or tablet with you in order to work during your vacation.
Beaches
The northern coast of the island has concentrated on itself all the hotels and beaches where tourists can relax. The coastal area suitable for a beach holiday is 11 km. Moreover, it can be divided into 6 zones. Here, vacationers can not only sunbathe under the warm Cuban sun, swim in the azure sea, but also just take a walk even in the evening.
Hotels occupy much less, they are located along the beach and occupy almost 6.5 km. Each hotel has its own part of the coast, while it is not forbidden to relax on other parts of the beach. So the site number 1 includes the beaches of Melia Las Dunas, Barcelo, Media Cayo Santa Maria, Sol Cayo Santa Maria. There is a ban on free access to the beach only on site number 3, it has red roofs, so it can be easily distinguished.
The beaches are separated from each other by sand dunes and mangroves. In addition to being a natural designation of the boundaries of certain beach areas, they also protect against hurricanes and storms. But, unfortunately, due to their height, which sometimes reaches 2 m, they close the beautiful view of the sea from the windows of the hotels.
What to try on vacation in 2020?
If you go into the ode, then at first it will seem that the coastal zone is rather flat. But that's not the case at all. You can reach the depth very quickly. There is practically no calm at sea, high waves often rise. Therefore, this is perfect for surfing.
But lovers of diving and snorkeling will find something to their liking. The seabed near the island is very picturesque. Here you can meet unusually beautiful marine life.
In their hotels, vacationers can take any of the water transport, but only non-motorized. You do not need to pay extra for this, this servant is already included in the price. Also, water transport can be found in one of the water clubs.
What to bring?
All shops and souvenir shops are located in the village of Puelo La Estrella. It was built quite recently in 2009. If you want to know where you go to relax, go shopping and pick up souvenirs, then this place has collected everything you need. Here and shops, and discos, and massage parlors. For children there is also entertainment, but only in the daytime. Of the souvenirs from Cuba, mainly rum is brought.
Leisure excursions
As an excursion, you can choose a walk to the small island of Cayo Ensenachos. There is definitely something to see here. It is located west of Cayo Santa Maria. The greatest interest and admiration here is the Royal Hideaway Ensenachos. He is the only one on the island. In addition, you can lie down and relax on the beach with white sand, there are two of them on the island. The island is perfect for those who want to go sea fishing, diving or just go to sea.
You can also go to the island-airport of Cayo Las Brujas. There is only one hotel here. There is a modern marina and a dive center. And the beach, 2 km long, is located in a quiet bay, where the sea is always calm. In addition, on the island, you must definitely try food from the local Cuban cuisine. All dishes are quite exotic.
There are several other villages on Cayo Santa Maria that are also worth visiting. One of them is a fishing one called Caibarie, and the other is Remedios. It has its own church, school and some rather interesting architectural structures.
Holidays on Cayo Santa Maria are a great opportunity not only to enjoy a beach holiday, but also to visit the Ernesto Che Guevara Museum. You can also go to the thermal waters of Elgev.
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