Havana Province Beaches

East of Havana City & Beaches
Bacuranao, Megano, Boca Ciega, Santa Maria and Guanabo Beaches the last two are the largest and most popular-are over eight and a half miles (around 14 km) long, white white sand of coral origin and clear, warm, green-blue water. There are many options for accomodations and services, including the Tarara Marina, which has facilities for scuba diving and other water sports. The adjacent seabed is facinating, with abundant Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata) and Brain Coral (Diploria spp.) and a profusion of vividly colored fish that live near coral. In the deeper water, you can see turtles, Blue Marlins (Makaira nigrencans), Tuna (Scombridge) and Sword fish (Xiphias gladius). In general, the city's long shoreline is excellent for scuba diving -there are more than 70 diving sites in this area 62 miles (100 km) long and nearly two miles (3 km) wide, including some sunken ships which have been declared a part of Cuba's historic heritage. Four international scuba diving centers serve the capital.

Farther east, in the province of Havana, beautiful Jibacoa, Tropico and Puerto Escondido Beaches, their white sand bordered by lush vegetation and cliffs up to 328 feet (100 m) high. On the seaward side by incredible turqoise water.

Location & How to Get There

Bacuranao, Megano, Boca Ciega, Santa Maria and Guanabo Beaches are on the northern coast of Cuba around 12 and a half miles (20 km)-just a few minutes' drive-east of Havana, on the way to Matanzas Province. Havana is the main place of entry in the country, either by air-trough Jose Marti International Airport (which has three terminals, plus an Aerocaribbean terminal, and receives flights from more than 40 cities in other countries)-or by sea trough its marina and the modern cruise ship terminal at the port. Tourists visiting other parts of the country can reach Havana by road, rail, sea or air.

How to get to Guanabo, Playa del Este
"I took the #400 bus to Guanabo beach last Monday and wrote down the instructions for my sister who will visit next April. The current guide books are not current on this bus.

Find the bus shelter on the north side of "Fundicion" between "Compostela" & "Picota" in old Havana . This is east and south of the front of the central railroad station. It is the origin point of this bus and presents the only chance you will have of getting a seat.

Find the guy who hands out the little cards for seats, otherwise you will stand the whole way out. Find out who El Ultimo is and follow him/her onto the bus. Lines are RELIGIOUSLY OBSERVED. Do not deviate from his procedure! Sit on the left side to see the shore.

Fare is 40 centavos. Frequency in daytime is apprximately 20-30 minutes. Duration of trip is approximately one hour. Other busses serve Playa del Este, but this is the best choice.

West of Havana City
West of Havana, the Marina Hemingway offers the most complete range of marina facilities in the country. Still farther west, in Havana Province again (city of Havana is bounded by Havana Province to the east, south and west), El Salado Beach, protected by coral reefs, has more scuba diving sites.