The best Havana beaches are everything you’ve seen in photos of Caribbean beaches and more. This is Cuba, so not only do the beaches in Havana have dreamy azure waters, warm enough to melt the coldest heart, and sand as far as the eye can see, but they also have that special Cuban sabor, a flavour of fun that is unique to Cuba. A trip to the beaches of the playas del este really is one of the best things to do in Havana Cuba.
I’ve visited Havana Cuba around ten times. Each time I go, a visit to the playas del este beaches in Havana is top of my list. There is no better way of cooling off.
I’ve stayed at the Havana beaches with my Cuban family, taken my nephews on day trips, celebrated birthdays at the beach a lo cubano and I’ve been to the beach as a lone female. So I’m well placed to give you the inside track on the best beaches in Havana Cuba, how to get there and what to be aware of on your visit.
My husband’s family still live in Havana in 2026 so you can rely on getting all the up-to-date details on the best beaches in Havana. Let’s dive right into the best Havana Cuba beaches.
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Pro Tips
Before we get into all the info on the best Havana Cuba beaches, there are some things to be aware of about Cuba that will come in handy for anyone who is visiting Havana and Cuba for the first time. Cuba is not a rich country in terms of money but it is rich in incredible nature and the kindness of strangers.
This means that when you travel to Cuba you will need to take more basics with you than you might do when visiting other countries. If you have any left at the end of your trip, leave them with your new Cuban friends instead of bringing them home with you.
Power and water shortages can occur in Cuba, I’ve experienced both multiple times, so take precautions and keep at least a few bottles of water with you, a torch and some dry food. If this does happen, try to remember that it’s worse for Cubans living on the island than for you as a traveller, so keep calm and remind yourself that ‘this is Cuba’. Embrace the locura.
Keep your information safe whilst using the internet in Cuba by getting a good Virtual Private Network (VPN). I use NordVPN to protect my data whilst travelling. It’s very quick to set up and super easy to use. A few clicks and you’re ready to connect securely when using public Wi-Fi.
Key Questions About the Havana Beaches
Here are answers to some of the key questions you might have when planning a trip to the playas del este beaches in Havana.
Where is Havana Located?
Havana, the capital of Cuba, is situated in the province of Havana, on the northwestern coast of Cuba, which is located slap bang in the middle of the Caribbean and is sometimes referred to as the pearl of the Caribbean. Yes, you got it, that means that there are some fantastic Caribbean beaches within easy reach of Havana city.
Pro Tip: Did you know that Cubans refer to Havana city as ‘la habana’?
Does Havana Have a Beach?
The great news if you’re visiting Cuba is that, yes, Havana does have a beach. In fact Havana has many beautiful beaches, stretching eastwards along the coast along an area know as the playas del este. The beaches aren’t right in the centre of the city but are so close that it’s only a short hop to get to them. I cover all the details of how to get to these stunning Caribbean Cuban beaches below.
Are the Beaches in Havana Worth it?
The short answer to the question of are the beaches in Havana worth it, is a resounding si. Get out of the city and indulge in a much-needed cool-off from the energy-sapping heat of Havana. You’ll return back to Havana feeling refreshed.
The playas del este are some of the best beaches in Cuba and they’re only 20 minutes away from the beating heart of Havana city. With picture postcard Caribbean beaches this close to the capital, and so easy to get to without a car, it would seem rude not to go to the Havana beaches.
When to Go to the Beaches in Havana?
The question should really be when isn’t it a good time to go to the beaches in Havana? These crystal clear waters are a balm for the soul at any time of year. However, the funny looks I get from my Cuban family when I insist on visiting the beach at Christmas just goes to show it all depends on what you’re used to. For someone who’s grown up with freezing cold British waters, the sea in Cuba is always temperate, even on Christmas day.
That being said, Cuba is a tropical country and hurricanes do happen. I’ve actually stayed at the playas del este beaches in Havana in the middle of a hurricane. That was an experience. It turns out all your worries about a palm tree crashing through your window can be solved by a roll of heavy-duty masking tape and a bottle of rum. Who knew? In all seriousness, Cuba is incredibly organised in the event of a hurricane. Hurricane season in Cuba is between June and November.
Cuba is warm all year and the hottest month is August, with average temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit). It’s not the heat that gets you in Cuba though, it’s the humidity, which can be all-consuming. The dry season in Cuba runs from November to April. September is the wettest and most humid month. That’s why a trip to the beaches in Havana is an absolute must during your holiday to Cuba.
Visit Havana beaches on a weekday if you’re seeking a tranquil beach experience. If a fiesta is your thing then head to Santa Maria del Mar during the weekend in the summer and you won’t be disappointed.
Does Havana Have Good Beaches?
You might have heard that to experience the best beaches in Cuba you have to travel to the beach resorts of Varadero, Cayo Coco or Cayo Guillermo. Those Cuban beaches are indeed some of the most ridiculously picturesque beaches you could want to find. However, much less well known by travellers to Cuba is that Havana itself has amazing beaches. They’re also a lot easier and cheaper to get to from the city centre of Havana than the big beach resorts.
What is the Most Popular Beach in Havana?
Playa Megano beach is the most popular Havana beach amongst my Cuban family and friends. That being said, all the playas del este (beaches east of Havana) are popular with Cubans trying to escape the heat of the bustling city. Take your pick from any of the main beaches in Havana and you’ll have an enchanting time.
Does Havana Have White Sand Beaches?
Unlike many European beaches, which can be rocky, such as most of Gozo’s beaches, you can enjoy white sand beaches at less than half an hour away from the centre of Havana city as the beaches of the playas del este are all made of sand. This means you don’t have to choose between visiting Havana, with all its history, and a holiday at the beach. On the contrary, with the proximity of the beaches in Havana to the city, you can experience Havana nights and beach days all in one trip to Cuba.
Can I Swim in Havana?
The water at the beaches in Havana is divine for swimming in. However, it is not recommended to go swimming in the water off the Malecón (sea wall) in Havana city itself.
Whilst you might see youngsters diving into the sea off the Malecón and the tropical heat may drive you to want to do the same, I recommend you don’t. It’s tricky to get back out, due to the high wall of the Malecón and the spikey rocks. In fact, it’s actually prohibited to swim in the sea along parts of the Malecón and a fine can be issued if you’re caught. Plus, the water here is nowhere near as gorgeous as at the playas del este beaches near Havana, so treat yourself to experiencing that paradise instead.
Where to Eat at the Playas del Este Beaches in Havana
Depending on which of the beaches you choose you may be near to some food outlets or a beachside snack bar. However, there are also regular beach vendors selling a range of cheap homemade Cuban snacks, like tamales or pizzas, tropical fruits and cocktails.
Another option is to head up to one of the hotel bars which will often sell food and drinks to you. Make sure you take water with you to the beach in Cuba as there may be none available on the day and you don’t want to get stuck without any at all.
Discover the coolest bars in Havana with this guide to the best bars in Havana.
Havana Cuba Beaches Map
I’ve created a Havana beaches map that shows all the beaches listed in this guide. Click the arrow icon to the left of the map heading to view the name of each beach.
Havana Beaches
Music, rum, sea, sand and salsa – you can get all this in abundance at the beaches near Havana. But you can also get peace, tranquillity and a break away from the frenetic pace of life in Havana city. All the beaches of the playas del este listed below are more likely to be busy with locals during the Cuban summertime and less busy during the winter months. If you’re looking for solitude, walk away from the main entry point to each beach and you should be able to find a quiet spot.
Closest Beach to Havana Cuba – Playa Bacuranao Beach
Distinct from many of the other playas del este beaches in Havana, Playa Bacuranao beach is actually a bay, with a beautiful curved beach line and it’s the closest beach to Havana city worth visiting. This means the water is mostly calm. It’s more rustic than the stretch of coastline that starts further east at Tarará and the water is less clear. There are some rocky parts of the beach but it’s possible to enter from the sand, so no need for water shoes. Playa Bacuranao beach can get popular at the weekends and the presence of a shipwreck offshore means it is sometimes used by scuba divers.
In terms of facilities, there’s not a lot at Playa Bacuranao beach but the nearby small hotel resort of Villa Bacuranao has a bar and pool that you could make use of.
Playa Tarará Beach
Playa Tarará is the first beach in an uninterrupted strip of beaches to the east of Havana known as the playas del este. The beach here is beautiful. Tarará has an interesting past, during the 1990s it was home to victims of the Chernobyl disaster, who were brought to Tarará to recuperate.
These days you’ll find beach umbrellas to rent and water sports activities to participate in at Playa Tarará. There are also beach sellers offering tamales, beer, clothes and other items along this part of the coast. If you can tear yourself away from the gorgeous blue horizon in front of you, take a walk to the marina at Tarará, where you can book water-based activities and watch the fishing boats as they come and go.
Playa Megano Beach
This stretch of beach near Tarará is popular with Cubans and it’s easy to see why. Playa Megano beach has generous lashings of white sand, stunning blue water to bathe in and palm trees a plenty, to give you the full-on Caribbean beach vibe. The buena vista here is worth the bus trip.
A range of water sports are available at Playa Megano beach, so if you fancy a go, head here. There are also cheap beach umbrellas and sunbeds for rent (100 CUP each).
Playa Santa Maria del Mar Beach
Playa Santa Maria del Mar Cuba is one of the most beautiful stretches of all the playas del este Havana beaches. It’s convenient too, as it’s the first stop on the return Transtur bus, so your chances of getting a seat are higher.
Before you enter Playa Santa Maria del Mar beach you can find a couple of small beachside shacks and restaurants serving food and drink. Be prepared that options may be very limited though. On my latest visit, there was no cola, unless you wanted it as part of a Cuba Libre cocktail (rum and cola). Go figure. All the more reason to go with the flow and have cocktails at the beach.
There are also a few larger hotels dotted around near Playa Santa Maria del Mar beach, like the Atlantico – very handy if you want to use the facilities.
To get onto the beach, walk through the mini car park area and up the gap in the sand dunes. You’ll drop down onto a spectacular Cuban beach. Either stop where you land and enjoy the sound of reggaeton as it drifts across the breeze or walk further along to the east for space and quiet.
Straw umbrellas and water sports like pedalos, catamarans and SUPs are available at Santa Maria del Mar beach. If the weather isn’t good enough though, the options may be limited.
Playa Boca Ciega Beach
A quiet stretch of beach can be found as you continue eastwards along the playas del este from Santa Maria del Mar, towards Playa Boca Ciega beach. With less partying going on at Playa Boca Ciega beach, it’s easy to find yourself nodding off to just the sound of the palm trees swaying in the breeze.
Playa Guanabo Beach
At the far end of the playas del este strip of beaches near Havana is playa Guanabo beach This slightly less beautiful part of the coast is backed by the enclave of Guanabo. Here you’ll find some paladars (locally owned family restaurants) and bars to refuel at, mostly on or around 5ta Avenida.
Playa Guanabo beach is also a good place to base yourself if you want to stay for a few days at the Havana beaches, as there are plenty of casa particulares (local B and Bs) for rent.
How to Get to Havana Beaches (Playas del Este)
The beaches of playas del este can all be reached in an easy 20 to 30 minutes from Havana city. There are several options for how you get there, depending on your budget, desire for comfort and time available.
Best Option: the Transtur Beach Bus
The Transtur beach bus is my favourite way to get to the beaches in Havana. It costs a little bit more than the public local bus but it is direct and air-conditioned so much more comfortable. Journey time is around half an hour and buses leave approximately every 40 minutes.
The route is ostensibly hop-on-hop-off but in reality, most people get on in the centre of Havana and get off at one of the Havana beaches then return the same way.
The bus stop in the city centre is at Parque Central. Pick-up is currently on Agramonte but this is Cuba so be prepared that it could change and you might need to ask.
The timetable is reasonably accurate in my experience but there are likely to be some small delays. The last bus back from the beach gets super full so get to the bus stop in good time and if you want to guarantee a seat, take the last but one on your return from a day at the beach.
Another advantage of the Transtur bus is that it’s aimed at tourists and that means it’s more likely to be running than some other methods of transport.
Pro Tip: At the time of writing the only payment officially taken on the Transtur bus was via card. However, after disgruntled tourists express their displeasure at this I have seen payment taken in local cash. The price is 500 CUP or €5. If you don’t have a card you might be able to offer to pay someone else in the queue in cash and they pay for you on their card.
Taxi
If budget is not an issue you could take a taxi to the playas del este Havana beaches. If you choose to do this you can either negotiate with a taxi on the street or ask your accommodation provider to book for you. A reasonable price for tourists is around €20 one way. As of 2026, unlike some other island nations, like Malta, Cuba does not have Uber.
Taxi would not be my recommended option for how to get to the beaches in Havana but if the convenience of going at the time you want is key, or you have others to share the cost with, then this might be right for you.
Be aware that as of 2026 and the shortage of access to fuel, transport has become more complicated in Cuba so taxis may be harder to come by. Arrange your collection time in advance with the same taxi, rather than trying to get a return taxi at the beach.
Public Local Bus
There is a public bus that will take you to the beaches to the east of Havana. Bus #A82 (previously #400) runs from Havana centre to Guanabo. Whilst the cost is very cheap compared to the Transtur bus, at around only 2 CUP per journey, the bus will be crowded and hot. It’s also advisable to pay close attention to your valuables, phone etc.
Pro Tip: The Cuban word for bus is different from the Spanish word autobús. In Cuba you take the local guagua (pronounced wah-wah) instead.
Is it Safe to go to the Beach in Havana on Your Own?
I’ve been to the beaches in Havana by myself plenty of times. I’ve never felt threatened either on the journey or at the beach. Sure, you might get the odd ‘compliment’ called out to you by locals but I’ve never had my physical space invaded.
There are often beachside security guards stationed at parts of the beach where hotels lead onto the sand. There are also lifeguards placed along some of the more popular stretches of beach.
Of course, you have to make your own judgement about how safe you feel on your own and it would be sensible to maintain the usual travelling precautions of not taking expensive jewellery or equipment with you and letting someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Where To Stay At The Beach In Havana
Why not treat yourself to an overnight stay at the beach and enjoy the sunset? There are some great cheap places to stay in at Guanabo and you’ll have the local bars and restaurants to choose from in the evening.
Due to the situation between the USA and Cuba, some of the usual accommodation booking sites don’t include places to stay in Cuba. However, you can find Havana hotels on Skyscanner (who do hotels as well as flights) and on Hotels.com.
Check prices and availability at Ocean View Villa. Enjoy relaxing on the balcony at this comfortable home that you’ll have all to yourself.
Other Beaches Near Havana To Visit
In the opposite direction to the beaches of Havana’s playas del este, are a couple more gorgeous beaches. They take more planning and longer to reach but if you can make the journey you’ll be rewarded with spectacular glistening waters, soft sand and fewer tourists to share your slice of paradise with.
I must also mention the spectacular beaches of Varadero. This famous stretch of Caribbean beaches is touristy with a capital T. Love it or hate it, Varadero is an impressive beach vibe.
Cayo Jutías (Playa de las Estrellas)
At approximately 3.5 hours from Havana lies the paradise beach of Cayo Jutías. The sea here is a similar shade of delicious to the beaches to the east of Havana, a turquoise dream rendered real. The mangrove trees clamber into the water’s edge, making this beach all the wilder for it.
The spectacular beauty of this beach, and the giant starfish it’s famed for, does attract plenty of tourists but it’s such a huge stretch of coastline that you should be able to easily find solitude amongst the woods. From your arrival point keep walking until you reach a quiet spot. There is a beachside restaurant but I wouldn’t turn up without any emergency snacks, it might not have what you want or even be operating.
I suggest you combine a visit to Cayo Jutías with a stay in Viñales and experience the verdant Cuban countryside as well as the beach.
Options to get here include sharing a taxi from Havana. Ask your accommodation to help you arrange the trip or turn up at the bus station in Havana and the taxi drivers will ask you where you want to go. If possible, try to set this up the day before you plan to travel.
It’s also possible to take the Viazul bus to Viñales (3.5 hours) and then organise a taxi to Cayo Jutías from your accommodation (journey time from Viñales is around 1.5 hours).
Check prices and availability to stay at this cheap and traditional Cuban home near Cayo Jutías.
Cayo Levisa
If you want to spend time on an island within an island then head to Cayo Levisa. This is a small idyllic island located off the northwest coast of Cuba, approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes away from Havana. Cayo Levisa really is like a desert island, with the only way to reach it being on one of the daily ferries that leave from Palma Rubia.
To get here you can book a trip from the tourist agency in Viñales (approximately 1 hour away) or organise a return taxi from Havana, although this will be an expensive option. There’s one hotel on Cayo Levisa, so you could make an overnight stay of it and have all this loveliness (almost) to yourself.
Varadero
The beaches in Havana described above are the best options if you want to go for a day trip to the beach from Havana city. However, it’s also possible to experience yet more stunning Cuban beaches within a reasonable distance from Havana. Strictly speaking, the beaches of Varadero aren’t Havana beaches, as they sit outside of the province of Havana, but they’re close enough and gorgeous enough to be worth mentioning.
Varadero is one of the most popular resorts in Cuba for beaches. Popular equals touristy and if you’re looking for a Cuban beach that’s off the beaten track then don’t head to Varadero. However, if you don’t mind a resort feel, what you will get at Varadero is miles of pristine white sand beaches and the water of your Caribbean dreams. There’s a reason Varadero is busy and that reason is the quality of beach here. There’s also plenty to do, with a strip of hotels, most of which are not high rise, a small town centre with a market and plenty of water sports and day trips available.
Spend some time strolling the peninsula with the soft white sand between your toes and you’ll soon understand why people return to Varadero year after year.
Where to Stay in Varadero
If you’re planning a trip to Varadero’s beaches there are plenty of chain hotels to choose from. However, if you’re looking for something more authentic you can book to stay in a casa particular (a private home that Cubans rent out).
Check prices and availability for the highly-rated Casa Karelia apartment.
The Best Beach in Havana
Whilst there are plenty of gorgeous beaches in Europe, like the stunning Blue Lagoon in Malta, and the the gorgeous Balos beach in Chania, it has to be said that Cuba has some of the the absolute best beaches in the world.
When considering what is the best and most beautiful beach in Cuba, Cayo Jutías must be a contender but it’s a bit of a trip to get there from Havana. However, quite honestly, all the beaches described in this article could be considered the best beach in Havana as they all offer that beguiling mix of floury soft sand and sparkling turquoise sea. The Havana beaches of playas del este are perhaps all the more special due to their proximity to the big city.
What to Do After a Day at the Beach in Cuba
After all that lounging around on some of Cuba’s best white sand beaches, you’ll be feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy the Havana nightlife. There are loads of cool bars in Havana to choose from so pick a favourite, or favourites, and get ready for a fiesta.
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