Attractions in North Coast Resorts & Jardines del Rey
Flamingos, turquoise lagoons, and resort relaxation 🦩🍹
Showing 27 attractions · Sorted by importance
Pedraplén de Caibarién a Cayo Santa María
📍 Caibarién
🚗 Road Trip48km paved causeway across the sea (approx. 45-60 mins). Winner of the IX Puente de Alcántara Ibero-American Award, this engineering marvel features 46 bridges and cuts through the UNESCO-recognized Buenavista Biosphere Reserve. Highlights include expansive ocean views, birdwatching, and the transition from the mainland to the pristine beaches of Cayo Santa María.
Pedraplén de Cayo Santa María Cycling Route
📍 Caibarién
🥾 Hiking & Cycling48km moderate cycling route across one of the world's longest causeways. Typical duration is 2.5-3.5 hours. Minimal elevation gain (~60m), but high difficulty due to strong crosswinds and sun exposure. The route offers 360-degree ocean views and crosses 46 bridges. Bike rental: Wow Cuba (wowcuba.com).
San Juan de los Remedios
📍 Remedios
🏘 Town / VillageFamilies can explore one of Cuba's oldest colonial squares and its unique twin-towered church while enjoying a quiet, authentic historic atmosphere.
Caguanes National Park
📍 Yaguajay
🌲 NatureA UNESCO-protected reserve featuring spectacular coastal caves with ancient pictographs and massive colonies of bats and migratory birds.
Delfinario Cayo Guillermo
📍 Cayo Guillermo
🐠 AquariumThis modern marine facility offers educational dolphin presentations and swimming experiences in the scenic waters of Jardines del Rey.
Delfinario Cayo Santa María
📍 Cayo Santa María
🐠 AquariumThe largest dolphinarium in Cuba, featuring natural sea-water pools for interactive programs and spectacular marine life shows, as well as sea lion shows, an aquarium, and a lobster nursery.
Parroquia Mayor de San Juan Bautista
📍 Remedios
🏛 LandmarkA 16th-century architectural landmark famous for its spectacular gold-leaf altars and its role as the cultural heart of the gateway to Cayo Santa María.
Pedraplén Turiguanó-Cayo Coco
📍 Turiguanó
🚗 Road Trip27km paved sea road (approx. 30 mins). This causeway connects mainland Ciego de Ávila to Cayo Coco, traversing the Bahía de Perros. The route is famous for sightings of pink flamingos in the shallow waters and serves as the primary gateway to the Jardines del Rey archipelago. Well-maintained and essential for reaching the north coast resorts.
Playa Pilar
📍 Cayo Guillermo
⛱ BeachConsidered one of Cuba's most beautiful beaches, it features massive sand dunes and calm, shallow waters perfect for children.
Rocarena Climbing Center
📍 Cayo Coco
🧗 AdventureA massive hexagonal climbing tower with three levels and ninety different activities designed for all skill levels and ages.
Cayo Coco to Cayo Guillermo Scenic Drive
📍 Cayo Coco
🚗 Road Trip30km paved coastal route (30-40 mins). This scenic road links the two major keys of the archipelago. It passes through dense mangrove forests and salt marshes known for endemic birdlife. The drive culminates at the famous Playa Pilar at the western tip of Cayo Guillermo, offering some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the Caribbean.
El Gallo de Morón
📍 Morón
🏛 LandmarkAn iconic bronze rooster monument and urban symbol that greets all travelers entering the access route to the Jardines del Rey archipelago.
Marina Gaviota Cayo Coco Boat Adventure
📍 Cayo Coco
🧗 AdventureAn adrenaline-pumping outdoor center where visitors pilot their own speedboats through winding mangrove channels and crystal-clear lagoons.
Morón
📍 Morón
🏘 Town / VillageKnown as the 'City of the Rooster,' this gateway town offers families traditional horse-drawn carriage rides and vibrant colonial architecture to explore.
Playa Ensenachos
📍 Cayo Ensenachos
⛱ BeachThis horseshoe-shaped beach provides crystal-clear, wave-free waters and soft sand, creating a safe and relaxing environment for all ages.
Playa Las Gaviotas
📍 Cayo Santa María
⛱ BeachSet within a protected nature reserve, this pristine beach offers families a peaceful environment for snorkeling and observing local coastal wildlife.
Playa Los Flamencos
📍 Cayo Coco
⛱ BeachThis wide beach offers incredibly shallow and warm waters, making it an ideal spot for families with small children to wade and play safely.
Refugio de Fauna Cayo Santa María
📍 Cayo Santa María
🌲 NatureA diverse wildlife refuge offering guided trails through mangroves and dry forests where families can observe endemic reptiles and tropical birds.
Faro de Cayo Paredón Grande
📍 Cayo Paredón Grande
🏛 LandmarkBuilt in 1859, this historic 150-foot lighthouse is a prominent maritime landmark on the northern reaches of the Jardines del Rey.
Playa Prohibida
📍 Cayo Coco
⛱ BeachA more secluded and natural beach area that offers families a quiet escape with scenic coastal views and gentle sea breezes.
Cable Ski Cayo Guillermo
📍 Cayo Coco
🌊 Water ParkA specialized water sports facility featuring a mechanical cable system for wakeboarding and water skiing on a calm lagoon.
Criadero de Cocodrilos de Morón
📍 Morón
🦁 ZooA notable wildlife conservation center housing thousands of American crocodiles, where visitors can observe the reptiles in various stages of development.
Delfinario Cayo Coco
📍 Cayo Coco
🎢 Theme ParkA popular marine attraction where families can enjoy educational dolphin performances and supervised swimming sessions in a tropical setting.
Museo de Agroindustria Azucarera Marcelo Salado
📍 Caibarién
🏘 Town / VillageThis outdoor museum allows children to climb aboard well-preserved vintage steam locomotives and learn about the historic machinery of Cuba's sugar industry.
Sendero del Bosque de los Helechos
📍 Cayo Santa María
🥾 Hiking & Cycling2.0km easy hiking trail on the Villa Clara mainland, accessible as an excursion from Cayo Santa María. Typical duration 1 hour. Elevation gain is minimal. The route highlights endemic flora including giant ferns and ancient coastal trees. Notable for birdwatching and lizard sightings.
Sendero Las Dolinas
📍 Cayo Coco
🥾 Hiking & Cycling2.2km easy circular hiking trail. Typical duration 45-60 minutes. 10m elevation gain. This nature trail explores the karst landscape of the island, featuring limestone sinkholes (dolinas), micro-forests, and local birdlife. Guide services available at Cueva del Jabalí entrance.
