What to do and see in Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba: The Best Places and Tips

January 7, 2018 Carley Gatson

Travelers come to this small island north of mainland Cuba to bask in the sun, swim in sparkling blue water, and be pampered at an all-inclusive resort. To explore Cuban culture, you’ll need to go farther afield (this is a planned resort development; employees are bused in), but if you’re simply looking for a stress-free tropical break, Cayo Santa Maria might be perfect for you.
Restaurants in Cayo Santa Maria Resorts

1. Santa Maria Beach

Cuba
Excellent
76%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Santa Maria Beach

Reviewed By tparker027 - New Brunswick

The first couple of days it was windy at the beach and the undertow was strong with the waves, however the remainder of the week the water was perfect....clear, warm and calm. Lots of beach chairs and shade for those that didn't want the sun. Bar and grill were always close by as well as volleyball nets in which you could sign out balls at the building up by the pool.

2. Iglesia San Juan Bautista de Remedios

Plaza Isabel II Remedios, Cuba +53 42 395683
Excellent
58%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 450 reviews

Iglesia San Juan Bautista de Remedios

Reviewed By NH50 - Norwich, United Kingdom

It was probably the calm and the age of the church that first appealed followed by the carved and painted roof from the ships timbers. This is one of the oldest churches in Cuba, and feels like a respected and holy place, however that sits in a revolutionary society. Our guide was excellent in his explanations and in drawing us to the history of the religious statuary and paintings. Interesting, our driver had said. We agreed.

3. Centre de plongee, Marina Gaviota a Cayo Santa Maria

Cayo Las Brujas, Cayeria Norte de Villa Clara, Cayo, Cuba
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 199 reviews

Centre de plongee, Marina Gaviota a Cayo Santa Maria

Reviewed By SUVrider - Markham, ON

We visited this place on our speed boat excursion.
Relaxed 1 hour speed boating going into the ocean, passing a 1920 abandoned battle ship, and some lagoon/oasis area. Very Nice scenery.
There is also 30 minutes snorkling, Thousands of colorful fishes swam to us.
Good experience over all.

4. Delfinario en Cayo Santa Maria

Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba
Excellent
52%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 2 reviews

Delfinario en Cayo Santa Maria

Reviewed By 19Kelley - Brockville, Canada

I cannot even begin to express how amazing this experience was.
The dolphins are absolutely amazing. The show was incredible. The trainers were so attentive and professional.
The lobster lunch provided was delicious and it was so nice that it was an actual restaurant instead of out in the open with no shade. The staff were so polite and accommodating.
My daughter did a swim with the dolphin and beyond worth the 10 CUC's and the photo was amazing quality for another 10.
Could not have asked for a better day off the resort!

5. YHI Spa

Melia Las Dunas Hotel, Cuba
Excellent
56%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 250 reviews

YHI Spa

Reviewed By Yves P - Ottawa, Canada

Very professional staff, my wife and I always go for massages every time we are at that resort. Very relaxing, smooth music, extremely clean. Can't ask for more.

6. Plaza La Estrella

Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba +53 42 350758
Excellent
32%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 710 reviews

Plaza La Estrella

This is for all people on vacations who want to enjoy recreation, shops, Cuban parties, live music, crafthand souvenirs, have a nice good beberage or a delicious ice cream, taste a delicious dinner or relax with a great massage, we invite you to visit Plaza La Estrella, an ideal place for families, groups and couples with a varied offer for all ages and preferences.

Reviewed By tracey92mike - Stoney Creek, Canada

We enjoyed a few hours of shopping and some ice cold drinks! The prices were much better here then in our own resort gift shop. There was a great variety of homemade trinkets and treasures!! Our group took a few taxis from our hotel, it was probably a 10 min. Ride. We took the Double decker bus back to our resort. It was a great way to spend a morning off the resort.

7. Plaza Las Dunas

Cuba +53 42 350758
Excellent
24%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
36%
Poor
6%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 172 reviews

Plaza Las Dunas

Reviewed By olgaToronto_Canada - Toronto, Canada

This quaint, lovely place is nestled in Melia Las Dunas. Walk out of the resort voila the market place. It has such a variety of handmade souvenirs that will make you want to purchase many beautiful items. It also has a jumping castle for children. This is new.
Enjoy, relax, go bowling... magical !!

8. Melia Buenavista Spa

Punta Madruguilla, 52500, Cuba
Excellent
66%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 45 reviews

Melia Buenavista Spa

Reviewed By Glyn12 - Poole, United Kingdom

This is a relatively small luxury hotel on 3 very quiet and stunning Beaches. The rooms are very large and luxurious, the beds the most comfortable and the two pools great. The housekeeping staff, in particular, are excellent, friendly and very efficient. The lay-out and grounds are lovely. BUT unfortunately although Dos Navegantes restaurant is fine, Los Caribes is certainly below par for dinner and Los Marinos, for breakfast and lunch is very patchy - some of the waiting staff are excellent, the availability food is very variable (no Cuban restaurant should have no honey for 4 days) and the floor manager one morning was dreadful, full of her own self-importance, not doing her job and, if anything, getting in the way. The best morning was when there was a Melia survey running - it was disappointing that a special (excellent) effort was laid on by the restaurant just because there was a survey. I do not think that the two dinner restaurants cannot easily cope with all the guests there is a strong push to use restaurants in nearby other Melia hotels. We tried two which were truly awful and the third cancelled our booking the day after accepting it! Get the food sorted out to make this a great hotel

9. Nexus Tours Cuba

Cuba
Excellent
51%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
8%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 123 reviews

Nexus Tours Cuba

NexusTours is your source for all the best experiences, excursions, activities, and things to do. With over 20 years of experience, NexusTours are the local experts that can provide you the best price on the most popular day trips and arrange transfers to and from the airport and your hotel or resort.

Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member

To Delvis and Luciano
I must say you two out did yourselves yet again!! You two deserve a very big thank you! Your customer service is simply exceptional. You are both very genuine people very knowledgable kind and very courteous. We can't wait to see you both again. This time our daughter will be back. She can't wait to go back to Santa Clara and see your helpful friend.
Miss you both can't wait to get back
Mark and Kim

10. Playa Las Gaviotas

Cuba
Excellent
37%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
12%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 8 reviews

Playa Las Gaviotas

Reviewed By NassimKitty - Montreal, Canada

It was located right to our hotel Valentin perla Blanca , so we got in and took a walk to the beach . We didn't see any animals , maybe not at this time of the year. Nothing special . The enterance is 4 cuc.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.