Cayo Santa Maria resort. Land excursions from the island of Cayo Santa Maria (Ensenachos) Holidays on Santa Maria Cuba sea
Cayo Santa Maria in Cuba is the ideal place for those who want privacy and tranquility. “Royal Gardens” is the literal translation of 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 holiday on Cayo Santa Maria is, without exaggeration, beyond praise: the azure surface of the ocean, snow-white soft sand and the mesmerizing beauty of the surrounding landscapes create all the conditions for this.
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In fact, the Cayo Santa Maria resort 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 well blown by winds from the Atlantic, which creates excellent conditions for windsurfing.
History and modernity
Like many other islands in Cuba, Cayo Santa Maria has gained wide popularity among tourists after the construction of a causeway that allows access from the main island of the country. Once an ordinary fishing island, Cayo Santa Maria is now the youngest Cuban resort with excellent infrastructure and everything necessary for a great holiday.
What to see, where to visit
The Cayo Santa Maria resort offers its guests a measured, relaxing holiday, but Cuba is also famous for its exciting excursions. After sunbathing on the island's stunning beaches, you can head to San Juan de los Remedios, a colonial city whose historical center has been declared a national monument. Only sixty kilometers of the road and you can enjoy all its architectural splendor.
Entertainment lovers should head to the newly built tourist village of Pueblo La Estrella, which means “Starry” in Spanish. It is located between the coast and the territory of the Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria hotel. There is everything here in order not to get bored: all kinds of shops, bars and restaurants, a disco, a spa center and massage parlor, bowling alley and much more.
Beaches
The entire northern coast of the island is created in order to experience a real relaxation holiday, because it is here that what people come to the Cuban islands for is located - the beaches. And on this island there are as many as eleven kilometers of them, roughly divided into six sectors. You can hardly find a bad beach in Cuba, and Cayo Santa Maria is proof of this - every beach here is a piece of paradise! And despite the fact that all the beaches here are municipal and 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, although in order to get there you will have to rent a scooter or bicycle.
Entertainment and active recreation
As elsewhere on the Cuban islands, water sports flourish here - from catamarans to windsurfing. Every hotel 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 rower, and for fans of a more relaxing pastime, fishing is suitable.
Local cuisine and wines
Restaurants on the island offer dishes of both Cuban cuisine and international, Mediterranean and even Japanese cuisines. Here you can enjoy an abundance 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 in and outside the hotels.
Next to the islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo is another popular island among tourists in Cuba, Cayo Santa Maria. It is also very close to the northern coast of the province of Villa Clara. Like all the others, it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The island is connected to the mainland by a fairly large dam. Its length is almost 49 km. Not far away are slightly smaller islands called Las Brujas and Ensenchos.
Cayo Sant Maria is a fairly 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 strict protection by UNESCO.
This island is most often chosen by newlyweds to spend their honeymoon here. And they will remember a secluded walk to St. Mary’s Island for many years.
What to take with you?
For a holiday on Cayo Santa Maria, you will only need medical insurance, which can be obtained from a tour operator. A visa for holidaymakers of no more than 30 days is not useful.
How to get there?
There is only one way to get to the island - along the Pedraplen dam. Although the nearest islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo are approximately 30 km, the length of the dam is much greater. The journey across 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 to get there it will take at least 1.5 hours. Shuttle buses also depart from it regularly.
You can also fly to the airport on Las Bujas Island. But it only accepts planes from local airlines. Flights depart to Las Bujas from Havana.
Transport
There is only one good road to Cayo Santa Maria. You can move around here without any problems only along the dam. All other roads, small forks and streets are mostly sandy. That is why all vacationers are recommended to rent scooters or jeeps. And it is best to travel by one of these types of transport to ensure your safety on the way to the eastern beaches.
The cost to cross the dam is $2. In some cases, they may ask for documents confirming the reservation and payment for rooms in one of the hotels on Cayo Santa Maria or Cayo Ensenachos.
You can also always use taxi services on the island. 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 dollars, and if you immediately order a taxi for the trip there and back, the fare will be 65 dollars. It costs $40 to reach the village of Remedios, and $75 for a round trip. You can get to Santa Clara for $35, and round trip for $130. Well, the cheapest fare will be to Cayo Ensenachos; one way you will need to pay 5 dollars, and a round trip 10 dollars.
Vehicle rental on vacation in 2020
If you rent a scooter to travel around Cayo Saeta Maria, you will also need to take a helmet. Typically, 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 necessary to ensure that the vehicle has enough power to overcome some 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 a period of more than three days, rent will cost $24 per day. And if you rent for a week or more, you need to pay $20 per day.
Most hotels offer bicycle rentals. Every hotel will be happy to share them. You can find them in the same places where you rent scooters or jeeps. But due to the fact that Cuba is a place where the tropical climate predominates, and the weather is either rainy or dry, bicycles quickly become rusty and their appearance leaves much to be desired. But don't despair. When the weather is good on the island, you can take a ride on such a not-new two-wheeled “friend.”
And of course, the most comfortable transport on the island is cars. Among them, jeeps are more popular and practical. If you rent them, you will always have a full tank of gas in the car. Accordingly, the vehicle must also be returned fully fueled. You can refuel at a gas station near the airport in Las Brujas. This is the closest and only gas station in the area. You can rent a jeep for $70 per day. This price already includes insurance. In this case, the car will be able to travel 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 100 km traveled, everything above 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 vibrant 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 hotel, you will need to cover a path of almost 6 km. The Sol Caya Santa Maria Hotel is 4 km away. From Melia Cayo Santa Maria is 3.3 km, and the closest hotel is Melia Las Dunas, from which the village is only 2.5 km.
Internet
There is a connection on the island, but there is practically no unlimited Internet. The connection takes quite a long time, so you shouldn’t take a laptop or tablet with you in order to work while on vacation.
Beaches
The northern coast of the island has concentrated all the hotels and beaches where tourists can relax. The coastal zone suitable for beach holidays 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 simply take a walk even in the evening.
Hotels take up much less space; they are located along the beach and occupy almost 6.5 km. Each hotel has its own part of the coast, but it is not prohibited to relax on other sections of the beach. So, section No. 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; there are red roofs here, so it can be easily distinguished.
The beaches are separated from each other by sand dunes and mangroves. In addition to the fact that they are 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 block a beautiful view of the sea from hotel windows.
What to try on vacation in 2020?
If you go into the river, at first it will seem that the coastal zone is quite flat. But this is not true at all. You can get to the depths very quickly. There is practically no calm at sea here; high waves often rise. Therefore, this one is perfect for surfing.
But lovers of diving and snorkeling will also find something to their liking. The seabed near the island is very picturesque. Here you can find unusually beautiful marine life.
In their hotels, vacationers can take any of the water modes of transport, but only non-motorized ones. There is no need to pay extra for this, this servant is already included in the price of your stay. Also, water transport can be found in one of the water clubs.
What should I bring?
All shops and souvenir shops are located in the village of Puelo La Estrella. It was built recently in 2009. If you want to know where to go to relax, go shopping and pick up souvenirs for memory, then this place has everything you need. There are shops, discos, and massage parlors here. There is also entertainment for children here, but only during the daytime. The most common souvenirs from Cuba are rum.
Excursions on vacation
As an excursion, you can choose a walk to the small island of Cayo Ensenachos. There's definitely something to see here. It is located west of Cayo Santa Maria. The Royal Hideaway Ensenachos hotel evokes the greatest interest and admiration here. There is only one on the entire island. In addition, you can lie down and relax on the white sand beach, there are two of them on the island. The island is perfect for those who want to go sea fishing, diving or just go out to sea.
You can also go to the airport island of Cayo Las Brujas. There is also only one hotel here. There is a modern marina and its own dive center. And the 2 km long beach is located in a quiet bay, where the sea is always calm. In addition, you should definitely try the local Cuban cuisine on the island. 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 several rather interesting architectural structures.
A holiday on Cayo Santa Maria is a wonderful 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.
Cayo Santa Maria is located in the Atlantic Ocean near the islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, opposite the northern coast of the province of Villa Clara. It is connected to the mainland by the Pedraplen Dam, which is 48.6 km long. Nearby are the small islands of Las Brujas and Ensenchos.
Cayo Santa Maria itself is a miniature island with a length of only 13 km and a width of no more than 2 km, which belongs to the archipelago with the romantic name “Royal Gardens” (Jardines del Rey). The gardens, in turn, are under the care of UNESCO as an important biosphere reserve.
How to get there
Just 30 km separates the island from Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco, which can be reached in half an hour via the picturesque Pedraplen causeway. The nearest international airport is in Santa Clara (the journey takes 1.5 hours, shuttle buses operate).
There is a small airport on the island of Las Brujas, where local airlines fly from Havana (no more than 15 minutes' drive).
Transport
Pedraplen is the only road on the island in the sense familiar to Europeans; all the others are sandy paths. You can ride a scooter or jeep here, but you need to be careful, especially if you want to go to the eastern beaches (for example, Playa Perla Blanca).
To use the Pedraplen Dam there is a fee of 2 CUC per car, in addition, upon entering the highway you may be asked for proof that you are staying at one of the hotels in Cayo Santa Maria or Cayo Ensenachos.
Taxis are available 24 hours a day at all hotels on the island and at the Royal Hideaway Cayo Ensenachos. However, for longer trips it is better to book in advance. The fare to the village of Caibarien is 35 CUC one way / 65 CUC round trip, Remedios 40 CUC / 75 CUC, Santa Clara 65 CUC / 130 CUC and Cayo Ensenachos 5 CUC / 10 CUC.
The popular shopping and fan village of Pueblo La Estrella, famous for its restaurants, bars, discos, massage parlors and bowling alleys, is served by shuttle buses throughout the day. From the Royal Hideaway Ensenachos it is only 5.8 km, Sol Cayo Santa Maria - 4 km, Melia Cayo Santa Maria - 3.3 km, Melia Las Dunas - 2.6 km.
Prices on the page are as of November 2019.
Maps of Cayo Santa Maria
Car and scooter rental
You can rent a scooter (using a helmet is mandatory in Cuba) - they are designed for two people, but it is better to rent one to one: the power is low, the roads are sandy, the seats are small. Rental cost from 12-14 CUC per hour, 1-2 days - 31-33 CUC per day, more than 3 days - 22-24 CUC per day, more than 5 days - 18-20 CUC per day.
Many hotels also offer bicycles to their guests; look for rental points in the same place where you rent a car or scooter. You shouldn’t expect luxurious, shiny chrome-plated fashionable beasts with tons of speed - the climate and salty air take their toll, everything rusts, so the bikes are reminiscent of the “Storks” from childhood (though not everywhere).
You can also rent a car, the most popular being manual jeeps. Cars, as a rule, are rented with a full tank, and they must be returned in the same way. The only gas station is near Las Brujas Airport. Rental cost per day, including insurance: jeep 55-70 CUC per 100 km, then 0.35 CUC for each additional km; for a simple car 60-65 CUC per 100 km and then the same 0.35 CUC for each subsequent km.
Cayo Santa Maria
Beaches of Cayo Santa Maria
All beaches and hotels on Cayo Santa Maria are located on the northern coast of the island. At the same time, the 11-kilometer coastline can be divided into 6 sections, ideal for long evening walks, swimming in the clear azure sea and simply sunbathing. The hotels stretch for about 6.5 km along the sea, closer to the northwestern part of the island, each of them has its own strip of sand for guests - this is section No. 1 - equipped beaches Melia Las Dunas and Barcelo, Melia Cayo Santa Maria and Sol Cayo Santa Maria.
However, all the beaches of Cayo Santa Maria are public, that is, no one will prohibit sunbathing on this or that piece of land, even near the hotel, not counting beach No. 3 (under the red roofs). To get to distant beaches such as Playa Perla Blanca, you will need to rent a scooter or bicycle, but keep in mind that the road is not in the best condition.
Although the entrance to the water is gentle, the depth begins quite quickly. In addition, there is practically no calm on Cayo Santa Maria (for calm water - on Cayo Guillermo). The winds almost always blow here, sometimes mini-storms occur, about which tourists are notified by a red flag on the beach.
All hotels on the island operate on an all-inclusive basis, which includes use of non-motorized water sports - look for a water sports club; guests at the Sol Cayo Santa Maria use its neighbor Melia Cayo Santa Maria.
All beaches near hotels, as a rule, are separated by natural dunes and mangroves, sometimes reaching a height of 2 meters (as at the Barcelo Hotel). This is protection from hurricanes and storms, which, alas, also prevents you from enjoying sea views from hotels and restaurants.
Pueblo Tourist Village
Entertainment and attractions
In December 2009, a tourist village with the romantic name Pueblo La Estrella (“Starry”) was opened on Cayo Santa Maria, which is located approximately halfway between the beach and the tropical thickets of the Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria hotel. As a rule, tourists come there solely for one purpose: to spend money and, perhaps, have a little fun. At their service in Pueblo la Estrella there are shops, restaurants, bars, a discotheque, a bowling alley, a spa and massage parlor, and souvenir shops.
A special pleasure is to stroll to the neighboring miniature island that lies to the west of Cayo Santa Maria and is called Cayo Ensenachos. There, in addition to the luxurious Royal Hideaway Ensenachos hotel - the only one on the island! - there are a couple of amazing beaches with white sand: Playa Ensenachos and Playa Megano.
Another small island west of Santa Maria is the airport island of Cayo Las Brujas. There is also one hotel, a modern marina with a bar and a dive center, a 2-kilometer beach in the bay with very calm seas.
Finally, you can go to two small villages - the fishing village of Caibarien or the pretty Remedios. The latter also boasts its own church, school and other remarkable buildings.
Traveling through colonial cities
Prices in Cayo Santa Maria: children's - $54 | adult - 71$
Those who choose a holiday in Cuba for the sake of monuments of colonial art will be very pleased with an excursion to the cities of Sancti Spiritus and Trinidad. Santi Spiritus is the fourth city that the Spanish colonialists founded on Cuban soil. This city, like Trinidad, is declared a heritage of humanity by UNESCO. You will walk along the streets and see buildings from the colonial period, many of which are perfectly preserved. Your journey will continue across the ancient stone arched bridge, which many consider to be the symbol of the city. It is here that the bridge runs to the city of Trinidad, which has preserved all the charm of the colonial Middle Ages almost untouched. You'll feel like you've stepped back in time as you stroll through the gorgeous cobbled streets. You will stop at the Market in Trinidad and can buy souvenirs there. The cost of the excursion is $71 for an adult, $54 for a child.
Jeep Safari (excursion from Cayo Santa Maria)
Prices in Cayo Santa Maria: children's - 70$ | adult - 70$
Fans of active and extreme recreation should go on an exciting jeep trip through the countryside. You can better learn the traditions of the Cuban people if you visit a rooster farm and listen to a story about how these animals are raised and how they are cared for. And after that, a truly Cuban pastime awaits you - cockfighting. After this, you will go to the Los Alamos farm, where you will be met by ordinary villagers. You will be able to plunge into the life of the peasant population of Cuba, see how they live and what they do, and also try some things for yourself. For example, an unusual mule ride awaits you. At the end of the trip, you will have lunch at a local restaurant that specializes in Creole cuisine (that is, the cuisine of the colonial peoples). The cost of the excursion will be about $70.
Excursion to the city of Cienfuegos (excursion from Cayo Santa Maria)
Prices in Cayo Santa Maria: children's - 46$ | adult - $73
If you are spending your holidays on Cayo Santa Maria with the whole family, then you should definitely go on an excursion to the city of Cienfuegos, founded at the beginning of the 19th century and famous for its beauty. Cubans call this place the “Pearl of the South.” First, you will be taken to an amazing show with the participation of fur seals and dolphins. You will be surprised how smart these animals are. After the show is over, you can swim with the dolphins. If you are brave enough, you can grab onto the dolphin's fin, and he will happily give you a ride. Afterwards, you will have lunch and head to the commercial center of Cienfuegos and admire the local architecture. You can see buildings in different styles here, including the round-roofed buildings for which this wonderful city is famous. The cost of the excursion is $73 for an adult, $46 for a child. There is an additional charge for swimming with dolphins ($50 for adults, $30 for children).
Excursion to the city of San Juan De Los Remedios (excursion from Cayo Santa Maria)
Prices in Cayo Santa Maria: children's - $48 | adult - $64
San Juan De Los Remedios is the eighth city that was founded by Spanish colonists in Cuba. Its foundation dates back to 1524. The main square of the city is notable for the fact that there are two churches on it. As part of the tour, you will visit the Main Parish Church of St. John the Baptist, which houses a Baroque altar made of mahogany covered with gold. It is also worth noting the unique image of the pregnant Virgin Mary and the painted ceilings of the temple. Next you will head to Camahuana, where you will visit a cigar factory and get acquainted with the production of elite cigars, the best in the world. After a tiring journey, you will find a short rest and a delicious lunch in one of the restaurants. And after lunch, you will have an excursion to Ernesto Che Guevarra's Revolution Square. The cost of travel will be $64 for an adult, $48 for a child.
Through the forest on trucks (excursion from Cayo Santa Maria)
Prices in Cayo Santa Maria: children's - $48 | adult - $64
True nature lovers will truly enjoy the forest adventure offered by the Cayo Santa Maria resort. In the morning you will go to Guayanara Park, which is one of the parks that form the Topes de Coyantes protected area. This place features rolling hills and tropical forests with stunning flora. Here you can also see a variety of birds, animals, insects, many of which are endemic. Next, you will go by truck to the Sentinales del Rio Melodyoso road. At this place you will have a beautiful view of the picturesque El Rocío waterfall. Moving along the river, you will admire this waterfall from different angles. After this, you will relax on the shore and swim in the lagoon with the clearest water, as well as lunch at a local restaurant. The cost of the excursion for an adult is $64, for a child – $48.
Anabanilla and Trinidad (2 days) (excursion from Cayo Santa Maria)
Prices in Cayo Santa Maria: children's - $92 | adult - $122
Take a trip through the most picturesque places in Cuba and visit the lake of the city of Anabanilla, which is located on the highest point of the country and is one of the most beautiful places in Cuba. After relaxing near the lake, you will visit the house of a peasant, who will treat you to his own honey, as well as local tropical fruits. After this, you will have lunch at the Rio Negro restaurant, where you will be served Creole dishes. You will visit the “House of Coffee”, where you will learn a lot about the preparation of this drink and taste a cup. You will spend the night in a cozy hotel, and the next day you will go on a new journey into the world of wildlife, explore flora and fauna, and swim in the crystal clear waters of the river. At the end of the trip, you will go to the colonial city of Trinidad, which has preserved buildings from the times of the first Spanish colonists in Cuba. The cost of the excursion is $122 for an adult, $92 for a child.
Caibarien and Remedios (excursion from Cayo Santa Maria)
Prices in Cayo Santa Maria: children's - 50$ | adult - 50$
Cultural lovers will appreciate a trip to the city of Remedios with a stop in Caibarien. Caibarien is a city on the Big Island, which is an inexpensive but fairly high-quality resort. You will arrive here during the day, stroll along the central promenade, and then go to the city of Remedios, where you will spend the night. This city is one of the first cities built in Cuba by the Spanish conquistadors in 1524. Here you will definitely like the ancient architecture, preserved from the colonial Middle Ages. The main square of the city is noteworthy - Marti Square, on which there are two churches. In the city you will have dinner at the Villa Blanca restaurant, where you will be treated to lobster and cocktails. In the evening you will also attend a performance that recreates medieval legends of peoples. The cost of the trip will be about $50.
Prices for excursions are average for tour operators; by purchasing the same excursions from the local population, you can save on cost, but you will lose in quality of service and you may not have a Russian-speaking guide.
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