Guardalavaca & Playa Pesquero

Guardalavaca (Holguín Province) is the beach region of eastern Cuba — 800 km from Havana, but only 60 km from Holguín Airport. The name supposedly means "guard the cow" — because the Spanish colonists once protected their cattle herds from pirates here.

The region has three main beaches:

Playa Guardalavaca

The main beach: 1.5 km of fine sand in a sheltered bay. Shallow, calm water, ideal for families. Several hotels (3–4★), right on the beach. The surroundings are hillier and greener than Varadero — you see palm trees and tropical vegetation instead of hotel blocks.

Playa Pesquero

5 km west: a longer, more expansive beach with newer 5★ resorts (Iberostar, Gaviota). Often described as the best hotel beach in eastern Cuba. Less crowded than Guardalavaca.

Playa Esmeralda

Between the two, accessible through the hotels. A smaller, intimate beach in a bay with particularly clear water.

Excursions

• Bahía de Naranjo: Natural bay with boat tours, snorkeling, and a (controversial) dolphinarium
• Museo Chorro de Maíta: Cuba's only archaeological Taíno cemetery (2 km away). Skeletons of the indigenous people in situ. Impressive and thought-provoking. €3.
• Columbus Landing Site: At Bahía de Bariay, Christopher Columbus first landed on Cuba on October 28, 1492, and wrote: "The most beautiful land that human eyes have ever seen." A monument marks the spot.