by Ray Roman | Last updated on February 3, 2024
Cuba really is one of the most beautiful countries in the world to visit. It has a rich culture and an interesting history, and these things, combined with this location’s natural beauty, make it a popular tourist destination.
Quick Facts: See how far Cuba is from Florida.
If you are considering visiting Cuba, there is a very good chance you are considering a trip to Havana. Here we’ll list 7 of the best beaches in Havana.
Havana is Cuba’s Capital City, with tons of excellent tourist attractions, accommodations, and transport links within the city.
But, just because you are staying in a city doesn’t mean you need to pass up on visiting the beach. Havana is a coastal city, and because of this, it is closely linked to lots of excellent beaches.
For anyone visiting Cuba, there are some beaches you must visit, and many of these are very near to Havana.
In this guide, I’ve compiled a list of 7 of the best beaches in Havana that I think you’ll adore. So if you are visiting the beautiful city of Havana, be sure to check them out!
Read on to find out more.
1. Playa Bacuranao
First up, we have Playa Bacuranao. This incredible beach is located just outside the center of Havana, boasting breathtaking ocean views.
Of all the beaches surrounding Havana, this is one of the most stunning, mainly due to its natural beauty.
Despite being fairly close to the center of the city, Playa Bacuranao still allows you to feel that sense of peace and tranquility that you can only find when relaxing on a beach.
With fine golden sand and that pure turquoise water that you can only find off the shores of Cuba, there isn’t anything not to like about this beach location.
The beach offers free entry and plenty of amenities for those visiting. Parking is available directly next to the beach, and it is easy to get there via public transportation.
No matter whether you want to snorkel, swim, or sunbathe, you can do all these things at Playa Bacuranao Beach. But if you are visiting during peak times, be sure to get there early to ensure you get one of the best spots!
2. Playa Megano
If you are happy to travel a little further afield from Havana, then you should visit Playa Megano.
This beach is around 17 km away from the center of Havana, but it is easily accessible through public transport or by car. As it is a little further away from the city, you really do get that beachfront vibe from this location.
Playa Megano Beach is in an urban area, so you can easily pop into a shop during your visit, but it is also far enough away from the big cities to allow you to relax.
It is perfect for those who can’t sit in direct sunlight as trees are lining the beach, and these provide a lot of natural shade.
The coast of Playa Megano is free to all. So, if you are looking for a cheap activity to do during your Cuban break, this beach is a great place to visit.
There’s golden sand, turquoise waters, and the added bonus that you don’t have to wear funny shoes to walk on this beach. At Playa Megano beach, you really can sit back and relax, which is why I think you’ll love it!
3. Playa Santa Maria del Mar
This next beach is a bit of a mouthful to say aloud, but it is a beautiful location to visit.
Playa Santa Maria del Mar Beach is around a 30-minute drive away from the center of Havana, but it is totally worth it. When you first see the shoreline of this stunning beach, you will literally be lost for words.
There are lots of sun loungers to choose from on this beachfront if you want to kick back and relax for a few hours.
There is room to play water sports or in the sand, and the turquoise water is perfect for swimming.
It is in a fairly urban location, so there are places locally where you can purchase things to eat and drink, but there’s no need even to move to do this as sellers often come up and down the beach offering snacks to visitors.
While it is a distance from Havana, plenty of tourist buses regularly run from Havana to the coast of Playa Santa Maria del Mar.
So, you can reach this brilliant location just as easily as all the other beaches closer to the city.
4. Playa Boca Ciega
If you are interested in a beach with a much more rural feel, then Playa Boca Ciega Beach is perfect for you.
Among many tourists, this beach scores fairly low simply because it does not have the amenities that the beaches I’ve shown you so far have. That is because it is much more off the beaten path and private.
There is so much to love about Playa Boca Ciega Beach. This beach is very private, and plenty of private houses are for rent along the beachfront.
It lacks the hustle and bustle of the other beaches on this list, so it is incredibly relaxing. For peace and quiet, you really need to look no further than Playa Boca Ciega Beach.
This beach isn’t the one that most tourists would opt for. But if you are a visitor looking for a beach to kick back and relax, Playa Boca Ciega Beach is perfect!
5. Playa Guanabo
Another beach I think you’ll adore in Havana is Playa Guanabo Beach.
This beach is a similar distance from the center of Havana as the first few beaches we looked at and can be easily reached by car or public transportation. With excellent transport links, there really is no excuse not to visit Playa Guanabo Beach.
No matter the reason for your visit to Cuba, I’m confident you’ll enjoy a trip to Guanabo Beach.
It doesn’t matter if you are traveling solo, on a romantic getaway, or traveling with the whole family; you will get enjoyment out of this stunning beach. You need to see it to appreciate what I’m saying.
Sunbathe on the beach, swim in the sea, or even go kayaking and windsurfing.
No matter whether you are looking for a thrilling trip to the beach, or a relaxing one, you will definitely be able to get it on a visit to Playa Guanabo.
6. Playa Jibacoa
Next up, I would recommend trying to fit a visit to Playa Jibacoa into your trip to Havana. There are so many beautiful beaches near this city, but Playa Jibacoa really is one that you shouldn’t leave Cuba without visiting.
When you first booked your trip to Cuba, I’m certain that Playa Jibacoa is the beach you pictured.
This beach is breathtakingly beautiful with that unique appeal that only Cuban beaches can have.
From the white sand on the beaches to the turquoise sea and the palm trees that line this beachfront location, Playa Jibacoa is something straight out of a movie.
Quite a few of the beaches I have looked at so far are great for people simply looking for a beach to visit during their trip.
But Playa Jibacoa is the beach to visit for those who want to taste a beach that you can only get in Cuba. That is why you really need to give it a visit!
7. Playa Tropico
Finally, I would recommend paying for a trip to Playa Tropico while you are in Havana. This is a great beach to check out, and its small size makes it perfect for anyone who wants to taste a little slice of luxury.
Playa Tropico is located next to some of Havana’s biggest tourist hotel complexes, yet it isn’t generally as busy as some of the other beaches included in this list.
Try to get to this beach fairly early in the morning to experience the sunrise, and I’m certain you won’t regret the early alarm.
Cuba is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and beaches such as Playa Tropico give it this title.
So, if you are visiting Havana, I would definitely recommend traveling the short distance to Playa Tropico. It really will be the perfect end to your Cuba vacation.
Best Beaches in Havana Final Thoughts
In short, there are many beautiful beaches across Cuba to check out, and plenty of these are very close to Havana. So, you can easily visit these breathtaking beaches during your trip to the capital city.
From Playa Bacuranao Beach to Playa Santa Maria del Mar Beach, there are plenty of stunning sandy beaches to explore.
Thanks for reading!
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