Cayo Guillermo, Cuba - attractions & reviews

Clean and small exotic tropical island with clear and warm sea, with white sandy coasts and a huge number of pink flamingos and pelicans – the island of Cayo Guillermo. Its area is about 20 square kilometers. The island belongs to the Caribbean part of the archipelago stretching along the Northern coast of Cuba. On Cayo Guillermo are four beaches, with a total length of about 4 kilometers, is especially famous of them is Playa Pilar, whose name is associated with Ernest Hemingway.

The Island is popular for its sand dunes, mangroves, coral reefs.

On the island of Cayo Guillermo Cuba hotels operate on the system “all inclusive”. The island is perfect for a relaxing romantic getaway.

Business card Islands or Isle of favorite grandfather Hemingway

The Hallmark of the island is exotic tropical nature and surprisingly quiet, warm and clean water. Surfers is not the place: Cayo Guillermo is a place for lovers of quiet warm clear sea, diving and fishing.

The island became famous thanks to the legendary novel “the old Man and the sea" of Ernest Hemingway, which describes the local pearl Islands-Playa Pilar. In addition, the writer's yacht is still moored at the pier of the island.

History of the island of Cayo Guillermo and present

Tourism on the island of Cayo Guillermo began to develop from the end of the twentieth century. Up to this point had come on a fishing trip and the nature inhabitants from other Islands (the island itself is not inhabited).

Currently, the island is very famous among tourists, but a massive fullness on the beaches there. He was able to retain its flavour – secluded unspoiled charm.

What is necessary to look at Cayo Guillermo Cuba

Cuba and the island of Cayo Guillermo can be very surprising. Must watch amazing sand dune, the height of 16 meters. You can see the coral reef, dive dive and admire the beauty of the coral of the underwater world. To be alone with nature.

Leisure and entertainment

The Most common among tourists entertainment in Cuba is the scuba diving. The island has three water center: “Coco diving», «Action Sports”, “Get”, where you can rent a uniform for diving and all the necessary equipment, take courses in preparation for the dive.

The aquatic centre “Get” is a fascinating show with sharks.

On the island you can try the unique water sport is kite surfing, that is surfing on the water surface, driven by a kite.

On the island you can play tennis, beach volleyball, aerobics or sailing.

Local exotic Cuban cuisine

Any restaurant that offers its guests dishes of international, European and Cuban cuisine. In addition to juicy fruits, fresh cooked fish, delicious cocktails be sure to try the national dishes of Cuban cuisine.

- baked or fried pies with meat;

spicy chicken with rice;

- braised, stuffed with vegetables;

sweet potatoes in a citrus-garlic sauce;

rice and red beans, and a stew of chickpeas;

- eggs gavanski with pepper, cumin and tomatoes;

sweet fried plantains

- oxtail stew.

You should Definitely try the cocktails with Cuban rum and herbal liqueur and coffee.

What Souvenirs to bring to memory

Certainly buy memory great burning rum, Cuban cigars and cigarettes, the original Cuban shirts, caps, scarves and skirts, Cuban coffee, musical instruments, guyabera (men's shirt), coral Souvenirs, machete, Souvenirs with the image of Che Guevara. On the island excellent masters of carving on wood, so pay attention to the figurines of mahogany, which are there for every taste and style.

But there are forbidden products, which are not allowed to withdraw from the country: weapons, old books, Antiques, stuffed animals, jewelry, black coral and articles thereof, local volute, tortoise shell, sea shell.

On the island of Cayo Guillermo prices for Souvenirs is slightly lower than 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 go to handle two currencies - the dollar and the peso. When buying goods, you should specify what kind of currency has a price.

Beaches of Cayo Guillermo

The Beachesthe Islands are considered the best in Cuba. The most popular beaches is Playa Pilar and El Paso, the decoration of which is a huge sand dune. There are two beach - Larga and El Pilar. The length of the beach is about 4 kilometers. The water here is very clean and looks like a huge aquarium. This is one of the best places for underwater fishing and diving.

The Beaches are uncrowded because there are no hotels. All the hotels are located in the Eastern part of the island.

The Internet is replete with numerous reviews of Cayo Guillermo (Cuba), tourists who have visited here, celebrating the beauty of the tropical landscape, the cozy sandy beaches, warm calm sea, like the island and the beaches perfect for family holidays with children.

Sights of the island of Cayo Guillermo, Cuba

The Landmark of the island is its nature-amazing mangroves, coconut palms, mahogany, junipers. It is home to colonies of pink flamingos and pelicans. The best time for observing birds and their behavior is the winter. Lovers of ecological tourism there will be something to watch, they organize awesome Hiking and Biking excursions.

Near the island is the largest coral reef, which is of great interest for lovers of fishing and diving.

Attraction is the sea itself. Very popular boating, sailing and yachts, various water sports and entertainment. The temperature of the water is simply magical! Thus, the average water temperature per year +25 - ºC in the coldest months - December and January - the water temperature is about +23 ºC, in August, she warms up to +29 ºC. It is an exotic Paradise for vacationers, recreational season is open year-round. Air temperature even in the coldest months does not fall below +24 ºC.

What special kind of holiday here a success? Of course, fishing! Catch a fast and easy - it's lobsters, lobsters and crabs. Fishing here is treated with special respect. Many who were interested in the biography of Ernest Hemingway, know that he was an avid fisherman. And fishing he sailed it was on Cayo Guillermo. At the pier of Playa Pilar is still moored his yacht, which bears the same name with the beach. Buy a tour on a fishing trip in any hotel of the island.

In addition, between the Islands of Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco is a lake, which is known worldwide as a Center of trout farming. Here you can buy a fishing license.

Organized and sightseeing trips, mainly to the cities of Havana, Trinidad and moron.

Local hotels also arrange a variety of entertainment for tourists - Cuban party and various shows.

Transport

Closest to the island of Cayo Guillermo airport is located on the island of Cayo Coco. These two Islands are connected by road. Cayo Coco Cuba ties artificial highway that runs along the seawall. The length is about 20 kilometers.

Hotels in Cayo Guillermo

The island itself has a few of the hotel complex, the hotels represent different services that can satisfy even the most demanding vacationers.

For the locals, except for the service workers, access to the resorts of the island is closed.

On the island restaurants, shops, cafes, sports centers, aquatic centers, rental service of equipment for diving and fishing.

According to vacationers who leave reviews on Cayo Guillermo on the Internet, the best hotels are:

1. "Iberostar, Daiquri al Inclusive";
2. "krystal Laguna villas and resort" 4*;
3. "Grand CARIBE Villa Cojimar" 3*.

All the hotels on the island located near the sea, just a few meters, which creates additional comfort for guests. From the Windows also offer beautiful scenery.

The hotels evening entertainment program for tourists, 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 road is laid on an artificial dam. This same road connects the above of the island of Cuba and to the town of moron.

The Nearest airport to the island is on the island of Cayo Coco, of which taxi you can get to Cayo Guillermo. You can get here by yacht or boat. There are two equipped yacht, designed for 15 persons: Marina Jucaro and Coco-Guillermo.

The Island of Cayo Guillermo Cuba – a natural jewel of the archipelago.This is truly a picturesque, uninhabited island where you should visit at least once in life, to enjoy the unspoilt splendor of the mangroves, hear the tropical birds singing, see the beauty, and symbol of the island - the bird cartacuba, meet pink flamingos, laze on the white sandy beach and, of course, to take a fascinating underwater journey with scuba diving.