Cayo Coco holidays

Fancy something a bit more active? The island’s glassy waters are perfect for snorkelling; with a handful of reefs just off the coast, you can swim out from some of its beaches. Alternatively, head out on a catamaran cruise for open water snorkelling.

For divers, there are a number of schools on the cay, which handle everything from one off excursions to full-on diving certifications.

Unfortunately for budget travellers, Cayo Coco’s enviable location means that the cheaper accommodation you’d usually find in other Cuban coastal towns is a rarity – the majority of hotels are four-star and up. That said, if you shop around and look to travel in the shoulder seasons, you can still find some decent deals. A small airport on the island, Jardines del Rey Airport, allows tourists to fly straight to the island.

July and August are the hottest months, regularly tipping over 30C, but rainfall can be heavy from May to September. Hurricane seasons lasts from June until November but serious storms outside of August and September are rare.

Kitesurfing is one of Cayo Coco’s most popular watersports. Calm waters and reliable – but not too strong – winds make the island an excellent place for beginners to learn but more experienced kitesurfers will have a blast, too.

Not for you? You can still drag yourself away from the sun-lounger and get active with pedal boats, windsurfing and sailing available. Most all-inclusive packages come with hire in the price, though renting some motorized equipment may incur an extra fee.

Scuba diving

The Jardines del Rey archipelago has some the most extensive coral reefs in the Caribbean. As a result, Cayo Coco is a prime spot for scuba diving.

The reef itself stretches for 32km (20 miles) beneath the surface, with over 30 different sites to explore. La Jaula, Las Coloradas, Los Tiburones and Casasa are among the best dives. Besides the staggering varieties of fish on show, marine wildlife includes rays, sharks, and turtles.

Morón

If you’re after a taste of the real Cuba, make time for a visit to nearby Morón.

Notable attractions include the city museum, with its neoclassical architecture, and Terminal de Ferrocarriles de Morón, one of the island’s oldest train stations. Mostly however, the town offers a chance to eat in local restaurants, drink in local bars and see that life in Cuba, for many, is not all palm trees and perfect beaches.

Morón is about an hour away from Cayo Coco, on the mainland. Most hotels will be able to help arrange a day trip.

Cueva del Jabali

A natural cave converted into a nightclub, Cueva del Jabali is probably the most unusual venue on Cayo Coco. The full “party cave” experience includes a short cabaret show, a Cuban band and late-night DJ set. Classic Cuban floor fillers come as standard and dancing is all but compulsory.

The club is open most nights (except Sunday), and you can visit by yourself or through a tour operator. Not a party animal? You can occasionally see the cave during the day for a tour. There are no official opening hours but ask around – locals tend to know the details.

Rocarena Climbing Center

A 32-metre high hexagonal tower of ropes, climbing walls, swings and tightropes, the Rocarena Climbing Center is Cuba’s answer to Go Ape.

Take on the course’s two-hour circuit, where you’ll find over 90 climbing activities across three floors. The centre is open to all ages and all climbers are required to wear a safety harness.