Well, we’re here to walk you through ten of the best beaches in Havana.
Get ready for clear blue waters, LGBTQ+ hotspots, and family-friendly activities.
Playa Tarara
Playa Tarara is a popular tourist hotspot situated just 20km away from Havana.
The marina (called marina Tarara) is the ideal place to visit if you love all things diving and fishing-related.
The diving center is also home to several boats, an experienced team of divers, and diving equipment.
Don’t expect to see any coral reefs here, though- this beach is situated to the east of Havana, where waters are mostly shallow.
However, these conditions are perfect for diving if you just want to enjoy the sport!
When you visit this beach, you’ll be greeted with long stretches of sandy coastline, clear blue waters, and palm trees. It’s ideal for families, couples, and singles alike.
Santa Maria del Mar
Santa Maria del Mar is a little further out from Havana than Playa Tarara, and if you make the most of Havana’s bus links, you can expect your journey to take around 40 minutes.
You can reach Santa Maria del Mar on the T3 bus from Parque Central.
Once you arrive, you’ll be thankful you made the trip. To say the views surrounding this beach are breathtaking would be an understatement.
With wide views of the ocean, plenty of space for walking, white sand, and a nearby cafe, this beach is the perfect place to unwind.
This beach also tends to be quieter than others in the area, so it’s ideal if you’re looking for a little downtime.
Although there are not many facilities near this beach, you will find a cafe nearby that tourists praise for its quick and friendly service.
They’ll even serve your food and drink to you while you’re sitting on the sand!
Mar Azul Playa
Mar Azul Playa is a must-see destination for travelers.
With clear blue waters and white sand both in and out of the water, you’ll never want to leave.
There’s even a hotel just a stone’s throw away from the beach, so if you feel like sticking around for the views… you have no excuse not to!
Mar Azul Playa is close to the city of Havana, and your journey will take just shy of 30 minutes by car or taxi.
If you’re not a confident swimmer, but you love being in the water, this is the ideal beach to visit.
The water is shallow for the first 25 feet, so you can take some time to get used to the water before going in a little deeper (if you’re brave enough!).
This also makes Mar Azul Playa an excellent destination for families with children who can’t wait to take a dip in the water.
This beach can get busier than some of the others on our list, and if you’re visiting in the summer, come prepared for the occasional rain shower.
However, the views from the beach (particularly the sunset) are worth it all.
Playa Brisas del Mar
Brisas del Mar is around 25km away from the city of Havana.
Although this beach is in a more urban area than others on our list, it still benefits from some tree coverage which will give you a well-needed cover of natural shade.
Even during the peak of the season, Playa Brisas del Mar is quiet.
It also has plenty of amenities, including showers, toilets, restaurants, loungers, and umbrellas, making it ideal for families, lone travelers, and couples alike.
At Playa Brisas del Mar, you’ll also have the option to rent out jet skits or catamarans and take to the water for a fun-filled day of activities.
Playa Bacuranao
Playa Bacuranao is 12km from Havana, and it’s based in the Barreras settlement.
This stretch of short and straight coastline is another more urban beach, but it still has plenty of fine gold sand and blue water to keep you satisfied.
However, this beach does tend to get quite crowded at peak times, so it may not be ideal for those looking to relax in peace.
Playa Bacuranao is perfect for families and is never short of local amenities, including restaurants and loungers and umbrellas to hire.
There’s also the option to go snorkeling here, with plenty of interesting fish and corals to see!
If that wasn’t enough, there’s also parking on the beach – so feel free to bring your own equipment!
Mi Cayito
Mi Cayito is based an hour east of Havana and can be reached by bus, car, or taxi.
Mi Cayito is the most famous ‘gay beach’ in Cuba, making it a hotspot and safe haven for LGBTQ+ visitors.
Mi Cayito also has plenty of restaurants nearby, and its fine sandy beaches and blue waters boast ideal temperatures and that idealistic ‘paradise beach’ feel.
This beach is often bustling with life.
With a great atmosphere, incredible views, and plenty of amenities nearby, Mi Cayito is perfect for all travelers, especially those looking for an LGBTQ+ safe space.
Playas del Este
Playas del Este is a stretch of several beaches, which are all located around 11 miles east of Havana.
This slightly unkempt beach strip is popular with both locals and tourists, and you can expect to find both busy spots and quiet havens to kick back and relax.
The area is surrounded by pine trees and is packed full of things to do.
From nightclubs and stores to private homes, lounging areas, and access to water activities, this is ideal for those who dislike ‘mainstream’ beaches and want to enjoy their time somewhere that’s a little different.
Playa Guanabo
Playa guanabo can be found in the Playas del Este region.
It’s similar to most other beaches in this strip, but it’s situated around the town of Guanabo.
This beach is large and usually visited between June and October when conditions are best.
With blue seas, white sand, coconut palms, and music, you’ll find plenty of things here to satisfy your itch for an exciting beach trip.
Playa Guanabo is one of the most popular beaches in Playas del Este, so don’t expect to find too many quiet spots in the height of the season.
Playa Boca Ciega
Playa Boca Ciega is around 20lm from the center of Havana, and it boasts plenty of amenities including toilets, loungers, umbrellas, and water activities.
The beach is supervised by a lifeguard during the season, and it can often get busy.
This is one of the most popular beaches near Havana for swimming and sunbathing, and there’s parking located directly on the beach, so it’s easy to reach!
Playa Megano
Last up is Playa Megano. This beach is 17km away from Havana, and it has good bus links from the city.
This beach is never too crowded, and you’ll find plenty of things to do here – whether you want to order food and drink to your lounger or hire pedal bikes, banana boats, or sailboats, Playa Megano offers something for everyone.
Not to mention the views of the coastline are something you really won’t want to miss!
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to relax by the water, take a snorkeling trip or gather with your friends and family, you’ll find plenty of beaches near Havana that can offer it all.
So, get ready for some fun in the sun – these beaches will not disappoint!
Hello, my name is Jim Stanton and I have been living in Havana for the past three years. I originally found my way here while backpacking, fresh out of college with not many ideas on where I wanted my life to go.
Once I got here, I fell in love. The buildings, the beaches, the monuments - I was in awe. I went on a different sightseeing walk every single day and never got bored of the city, which I had found to be a common issue while traveling through other places.
It just made sense for me to stick around in Havana from then on out. I never had the urge to keep backpacking, and I certainly didn’t want to return home to Utah now that I had seen this.
So, if you’re thinking of visiting Havana, stick around and learn more about the city from my website. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you out here!
