If you want to enjoy some of the best Cuban beaches and maybe even try your hand at Cuba scuba diving, Cayo Coco might be the destination for you. Located in the middle of Cuba's north coast, some 340 miles east of Havana, Cayo Coco is one of the largest cays, or small islands, found in the Jardines del Rey archipelago. Jardines del Rey translates to "Gardens of the King," which should give you an idea of how gorgeous it is here.

A stone road causeway is all that links Cayo Coco Cuba to the mainland, and once you get here, you can enjoy a relaxed and somewhat isolated feel. Cayo Coco didn't spring up as a considerable vacation destination until the 1990s, and tourism in the area continues to increase. In fact, before the causeway that links Cayo Coco to the mainland was constructed, the cays found here went largely unrecognized. Now, some of the best resorts in Cuba rest on their stunning beaches, and the list of recreational activities to be enjoyed is ever-growing. The Cayo Coco hotels come in all inclusive resort offerings, making them ideal for low-stress vacations.

A little Cayo Coco information can go a long way to help you better understand this curious stretch of cays. Generally, Cubans are not permitted to cross the causeway to Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, which is another blossoming cay destination of repute. Cubans who work at the Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco hotels can pass the bridge checkpoint, as well as those with other pertinent business ties. Basically, it is a destination reserved for tourists.

Cuba Map

For those who have rented a car and are driving to their Cayo Coco Cuba accommodations, you will have to pay a small fee to cross, and you might expect to have your car looked over to make sure you are not bringing in anyone otherwise not permitted to cross. As a result of all this, you will not experience as much pressure from locals trying to lead you to a certain restaurant or to one of the hostels in Cayo Coco, for example. Other intriguing Cayo Coco information has to do with one of its past visitors. Ernest Hemingway, who was an adventurous soul almost without compare, spent time fishing and writing at both Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, after arriving in his boat, which was named Pilar. One of Cayo Guillermo's best beaches is named Pilar as a result. The Jardines del Rey label for the cays came from the famed Spanish Conquistador, Diego Velázquez, who explored them way back in 1514.

Many people compare Cayo Coco Cuba with another one of the country's prized beach destinations, Varadero. Generally, they offer the same kinds of all inclusive Cuba resorts that are so popular with foreign visitors, but Cayo Coco tends to feature a less-crowded atmosphere. At both, you can enjoy endless watersports, and the cays are especially known for world-class scuba diving. This is largely due to the hundreds of miles of coral reef found just offshore, and the clear Caribbean water.

Eco-tourists always looking for their next excursion might find the lagoons and marshes here to be worthy of exploration, and if you like to birdwatch, there may be no better place in Cuba to do it. There are well over 100 different species of birds found in the cays, and if you've never seen a pink flamingo in the wild, chances are you will here. You might also consider adding a deep sea fishing experience to your Cayo Coco Cuba vacation itinerary. It's some of the best fishing in Cuba, and anglers looking for a thrill will find it hooking a Blue Marlin or snaring a sporty Swordfish.

Activities like these are well-mixed with plenty of fun-filled hours spent at one or more of the immaculate cays beaches, and most of the hotels here have large and refreshing pools to enjoy. As all inclusive vacations are the standard, your meals and drinks will generally be included in your Cayo Coco vacation, as will a range of activities. At night, the resort bars and clubs become the prime hangout spots, offering festive nightlife. Should you want to get off the cays for a side experience, most, if not all, the Cayo Coco hotels offer tours to area destinations, and even to cities like Trinidad and Havana.

You can hop on an international flight to the Aeropuerto Internacional Jardines del Rey if Cayo Coco Cuba is your intended destination, and it is also possible to find national flights from the various Cuba airports. As you have likely booked a package deal with one of the resorts ahead of time, they will provide free airport transfers, and you can also hail a cab to your destination should you not have transportation lined up.

Various Cuban tour bus companies are the only way in by bus, but you can always hop a bus to the nearby city of Ciego de Avila and take a taxi from there. As mentioned, you can also rent a car and drive yourself. Once you arrive, getting around by rented moped or on one of the resort bicycles is a popular and fun way to go. You might also hop on the bus that runs between Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo if you want to explore both. Hopefully this Cayo Coco information will help you get ready for your fun-filled Cuba Jardines del Rey beach vacation.