Holguin

Holguin is in eastern Cuba, a region renowned for its style, its music and its dance. The Carnival at Santiago de Cuba is famous for colorful pageantry, music and fabulous costumes, and is second only to the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. In this laid-back, festive region, Cuba resorts have a definite party atmosphere.

Holguin Beach Resorts

Guardalavaca is the main beach resort near Holguin, Cuba. It's the most popular beach destination in Cuba outside of Varadero. However, it feels more remote and is less populated, even though it's just 35 miles from Holguin.

The two-mile crescent beach at Guardalavaca is of fine white sand on a crystal turquoise gulf. There is a coral reef close to shore, with excellent snorkeling. West of the beach is Bahia de Naranjo, a nature preserve that encompasses 20 miles of coastline and nearly 2,500 acres of woods.

Another one of the outstanding Cuba resorts is Playa Santa Lucia, just north of Guardalavaca, up the coast. Playa Santa Lucia offers 13 miles of pure white beach, and a coral reef only two miles off shore. There are more than 30 dive sites along the reef, and international diving centers offer supervised dives of ancient Spanish ships and pirate vessels.