Hello everyone!

Last week I shared with you my experience in Havana, the capital of Cuba and promised that today I would give tips of the best islands in the country. Well, let’s dive into the turquoise blue of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.

In Havana I rented a car to go through a good part of the country – Luxembourg, Trinidad, Santa Clara – and finally, arrive in paradise. You also have the possibility to make this journey by plane. However, I wanted to get to know a little bit more of Cuba. I must tell you I made the right choice. It was a total of a 7 hour drive, with many stops to explore and a stop to sleep in Cienfuegos. The cities are very charming, especially Trinidad. In fact, it took me two days to arrive in Cayo Coco.

O MELHOR AZUL DE CUBA EM CAYO COCO E CAYO GUILLERMO camila coelho12

O MELHOR AZUL DE CUBA EM CAYO COCO E CAYO GUILLERMO camila coelho12

O MELHOR AZUL DE CUBA EM CAYO COCO E CAYO GUILLERMO camila coelho12

O MELHOR AZUL DE CUBA EM CAYO COCO E CAYO GUILLERMO camila coelho12

Do you know who revealed these islands to the world? The writer Ernest Hemingway. He lived many years in Havana and had a boat called “pillar”, with which he would frequently sail to places such as Cayo Guillermo, but specifically to Playa Pilar, where he had a summer house, which was swept by a hurricane. At that time, there was no connection between the mainland and the isles of the archipelago Jardines del Rey, where Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo are located. You could only get to it by boat.

Time passed and the engineering improved. Even with the protests of environmentalists, in 1988 was a super site built called “Pedraplan”, with a bridge 27 miles connecting the mainland to Cayo Coco and then to Cayo Guillermo. After this improvement,  several hotels began to be built there. I will be very honest with you, the hotels are not the forte of the piece, but the nature – definitely! Even the best hotels of the islands have average patterns and are “all inclusive”. The best of them is the Pullman, The Collection. Brand new and more unique. Even so, don’t expect too much so you wont be disappointed. But, the sea… Ah! It is an indescribable blue!

Cayo Coco is the first island. On arrival, the surprise is on account of flamingos. When looking from far away, I thought that they floats, however, they began to move! I looked carefully and I fell in love. Hundreds of flamingos live there because the region
is formed by sea, mangroves and swamps, which attracts a large number of animals. Cayo Coco has 22 kilometers of white sand beaches. The most beautiful is the Playa de los Flamencos. Wonderful! Other nice places in Cayo Coco are Playa Prohibida, Duna de la Loma del Puerto and Cayo Paredón Grande.

O MELHOR AZUL DE CUBA EM CAYO COCO E CAYO GUILLERMO camila coelho12

O MELHOR AZUL DE CUBA EM CAYO COCO E CAYO GUILLERMO camila coelho12

O MELHOR AZUL DE CUBA EM CAYO COCO E CAYO GUILLERMO camila coelho12

O MELHOR AZUL DE CUBA EM CAYO COCO E CAYO GUILLERMO camila coelho12

O MELHOR AZUL DE CUBA EM CAYO COCO E CAYO GUILLERMO camila coelho12

O MELHOR AZUL DE CUBA EM CAYO COCO E CAYO GUILLERMO camila coelho12

O MELHOR AZUL DE CUBA EM CAYO COCO E CAYO GUILLERMO camila coelho12

But40 kilometer walk from Cayo Coco, where you arrive in Cayo Guillermo. My God, this place is jaw-dropping! The island is only 13 square kilometers. Playa Pilar is the most enchanting that it is considered one of the 25 most beautiful in the world. It is one of those places where you don’t want to leave. Moreover, it has beautiful coral reefs, colorful fish and a Spanish vessel foundered which can be seen by snorkel. AMAZING!

What did you think of today’s tips? Leave me comments below! If you would like me to write about a specific destination, just let me know! I would love your feedback!

XoXo and happy Easter to all!

Claudia Liechavicius