The beach can be said to be bad. . There is no smooth entry into the water, only from the pontoons on which there are several sunbeds, the rest of the sunbeds on the shore are on the sand and to get into the sea you will have to go onto the pontoon. There is a small part of the approach from the shore near the place where the catamarans are located, but even there it is not really comfortable to enter because of the reef. The beach is located in a bay and is shallow and there is a reef in places, so swimming shoes will not hurt here. The stairs for descending into the water are normal and quite comfortable, but the entire pontoon is already old, in some places even nails are sticking out. Well, in principle, you can crawl under the pontoon and there are places with normal sandy entry). There are shells on the imported sand beach. When the tide is high, the depth increases greatly and small children will find it uncomfortable to swim. There are always enough sun loungers and umbrellas. On the beach there is a bar with drinks. If you tip, they bring you straight to your sunbed). Not far from the hotel is the famous Pilar beach. It takes about 30 minutes to walk along the path there. It’s just wonderful there! When we asked our travel agent to find us a hotel closer to Pilar beach, he warned that this hotel has some nuances and explained everything about the level of the hotel and the beach, but this did not bother us. We were traveling in a big, cheerful group. Just to get high from the beaches and get drunk, what’s there to do) That’s why everything suited us. And what about a 30-minute walk with a group to a great beach? It’s just a thrill). In the reviews, many complain about the beach at the hotel, but here you have yourself to blame. It was necessary to make the right choice. Personally, we haven’t even bothered for the first year and trust our travel agent for the entire holiday. We just voice our wishes and then he finds us excellent options and will always advise on all aspects, including where it’s cheaper to buy and how we can save. His name is Dmitry Mir, you can easily find him on the social network VKontakte by searching for friends by last name. The hotel staff loves tips and, in principle, in all of Cuba without tips the service is lame. Don’t be stingy, leave some money and sometimes gifts like chocolate and the conditions for you will change for the better. And the cleaning is better and the cocktails are sweeter)). Spend a little and get many times more. Tested several times). If you arrive early and need to wait for check-in, there is a room where you can leave your luggage. It’s a pity that you’ll have to change clothes in the toilet and they’re not that clean. If they made a changing room it would be great! Well, the numbers on the cube are tough. And here, choose a hotel or go online, but you still won’t find anything particularly good. The dampness is strong, and it’s not surprising because even things here don’t dry after the sea, and here the rooms are by the ocean. So if it smells musty, ventilate it here without any options. Well, the furniture and everything else in the room is old. Sleeping is ok, the bed is comfortable. The room is basically clean. Frill with tip is tolerable). There is a coffee maker in the room, but tea and coffee are rarely served, so I advise you to stock up immediately. Sugar too). They provide water and finding water in the hotel is not a problem at all. Our sockets don’t need an adapter, but we always carry ours with us just in case. There is an iron and ironing board. The food is good and the main thing is that everything is fresh. The waiters serve drinks, which is a little inconvenient, sometimes you have to wait, but magical tips speed up the process). In general, they cook well, but sometimes they still manage to spoil something, over-salt it, or add a lot of spices. It doesn't happen that often, but it does happen. During breaks from the main dining room, snacks can be found in the bars. But in bars something often runs out. Either there are no cutlets or something else, but overall you can have a snack. But if you leave a tip, then again everything appears). Ala carte restaurants are nothing to talk about, you don’t even have to go, everything is almost the same as in the dining room. Drinks are the same as everywhere else. You have to ask for normal rum and there are no straws, but we take it with us). In general, the choice of food is standard, there is a choice of meat, a couple of types of fish and seafood shrimp. For the price of the hotel it is quite normal. The animation is weak and not varied. They knew about it, but we had fun anyway. Holidays with a group have their advantages).…
Imagine milky sand washed by a turquoise sea shimmering in the sun like a diamond, exotic plants around and the unobtrusive sound of the breeze. This is Pilar beach. Its location on the island, far from hotels and the bustle of the city, attracts tourists who love a secluded, relaxing holiday.
The sea near the island is shallow, and you won’t see any waves because of the high sand dunes and small islands around. But the water is so clear that you can see the bottom, which also seems blue, and colored fish scurrying under the water in search of food.
Staying on Pilar is akin to “plunging” consciousness into nirvana. But you won’t be able to meditate for a long time under the scorching sun. You can hide under an umbrella (luckily they are present on the beach). Or you can visit local restaurant, bar or go to conquer the seabed at the nearest diving center.
Kiting is also popular among tourists. The first kite station was opened here on the island of Cayo Guillermo. You will find KiteLandPark near Hotel Villa Cojimar.
Fishermen are incredibly drawn to the Redonda Lagoon (between the islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo), where the Trout Breeding Center is located.
On the beach, near the shore, there is a boat on duty, taking vacationers to the reef for snorkeling.
You can have a bite to eat at the restaurant and bar located on Pilar. Its menu is varied, most dishes are prepared from fish products.
You will have to pay for sunbeds and umbrellas: from 2 to 10 cookies. The price of visiting depends on the place on the beach where you want to stay. The better it is, the more expensive it is.
About 20 hotels have been built on the archipelago (and construction is still ongoing). The hotels provide all-inclusive service for residents. There are no hotels on Pilar Beach itself.
Entertainment on Cayo Guillermo: visiting mangroves and palm groves, watching colonies of pink flamingos, watching pelicans in pristine lagoons. Near the island there is one of the largest coral reefs, so diving enthusiasts have plenty of room to explore.
Tourists sail on yachts, exploring and enjoying the picturesque local natural beauty. The hotels try not to let their vacationers get bored, so every evening they hold themed parties, discos and other entertainment events.
You can always diversify your vacation: if only you had the means and the desire to do so.
Pilar Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the coral island of Cayo Guillermo. north coast Cubes. The beach was named after the yacht of the American writer Ernest Hemingway, which he bought in 1934 and went fishing here.
The length of the beach is about 1 km, the width in different parts of the beach has different sizes: from 30 to 100 meters.
The entire vast area of the beach is covered with fine white and very clean sand. However, it is advisable to wear rubber beach shoes on the beach, as there are sharp stones that can cause pain or create a wound. The water in the sea is clean and transparent, the entrance is sandy and flat. The clear azure sea is perfect for swimming; there are no strong waves here, so the sea is relatively calm.
Panorama of Pilar beach in Cayo Guillermo:
If you look at the horizon from the beach, you can see the islands - these are the American Bahamas, which are located about a hundred kilometers from Pilar Beach.
Pilar beach is divided into 2 zones: the tourist developed part and the secluded wild one. Both parts are popular, since some people like a developed recreation system, while others prefer to retire rather than swim or sunbathe among other tourists. Many guests of the island call Pilar Beach a paradise, and one cannot but agree with this, because the beauty of these views fascinates, enchants and makes you fall in love.
Water temperature
The peak season on the beach is from November to April; during these months the air and water temperatures are at their highest.
Minimum and maximum sea water temperatures by month:
- January: +23.4°C/ +26.7°C;
- February: +23.8°C/ +26.7°C;
- March: +24.1°C/ +27.3°C;
- April: +24.5°C/ +28.7°C;
- May: +25.2°C/ +29.4°C;
- June: +27.1°C/ +30.4°C;
- July: +28.0°C/ +30.7°C;
- August: +28.4°C/ +31.3°C;
- September: +28.4°C/ +31.2°C;
- October: +26.2°C/ +30.4°C;
- November: +24.4°C/ +28.8°C;
- December: +24.4°C/ +27.5°C.
Infrastructure
Pilar Beach can offer vacationers various services and excellent service to make their vacation memorable for a long time, and the time spent here becomes meaningful and fruitful for tourists. Almost all the infrastructure on the beach is free.
Among the services provided are the following:
- Sun loungers and canopies.
- Playa Pilar Restaurant, where you can taste a variety of fish, seafood and meat dishes. This is the largest and most visited restaurant in the area.
- Beach bar where you can buy refreshing drinks.
- Hotel Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski Cuba, which is located near the beach and where you can stay.
- Showers.
- Rent sun loungers provided various types: both single without a roof and double under one roof.
- A water sports center where you can rent equipment needed for water sports or order water activities. For example, snorkeling, which is a dive during which you can see underwater world with all its unique inhabitants.
- Free parking next to the beach.
Leads from the parking lot to the beach footbridge in the form of a wooden flooring 130 meters long. This bridge greatly facilitates access to the beach, especially for people with disabilities.
In addition to the developed infrastructure, Pilar beach also has a developed active recreation. For those who are tired of lying in the sun or have already rested on a sun lounger, you can kayak, go diving or take unique boat trips on a boat or boat. Small excursions are very interesting because during this time you can see all the surroundings.
How to get to Pilar Beach in Cuba
Coordinates: 22°36’44.6"N 78°41’55.4"E
You can get to the beach in the following way:
First you need to fly to Havana Airport, then fly to Cayo Coco Internacional de Jardines del Rey Airport. The flight schedule can be viewed at this link. Next, you can choose one of the most convenient ways to get to the beach:
- On tasks: There are two types of taxis on the island of Cayo Coco: public and private. You can order a taxi from the airport to the beach at the airport itself; cars regularly wait for orders at the airport.
- By bus: ply around the island of Cayo Coco tourist buses, who stop at many hotels and take tourists to the beaches. These buses run every half hour.
- By car: one of the most convenient ways because you don’t have to wait for the bus. Independent trip By car will be the most comfortable option for traveling from the airport to Pilar Beach. To get there by car, you need to follow the highway to Cayo Guillermo, to the very end of the island.
Route from Cayo Coco Airport to Pilar Beach by car:
Video: Pilar Beach, Cuba (Playa Pilar)
But for many, one of the most important will be the beautiful Cuban beaches. Huge areas of untouched white sand, warm weather and turquoise water welcome tourists all year round, because average temperature rarely falls below 21 degrees Celsius. No matter which part of the country you choose for your holiday, you are guaranteed to enjoy your time at the beach.
Fine THERE I am ready to present for you a list of the best sandy beaches that are worth visiting while you are in Cuba.
1. Cayo Jutias
Not many foreign tourists visit Cayo Jutias Beach, which is located west of Viñales. Come here to eat lobster, drink rum and watch Cubans have fun on the beach.
Cayo Jutias beach, Cuba
2. Varadero Beach
Cuba's most famous beach stretches over 19 kilometers and is surrounded by numerous resort complexes"all inclusive". If the dance classes, aerobics classes and games offered by the resorts aren't your thing, explore the surrounding area's natural attractions, including sea caves and coral reefs.
Varadero beach, Cuba
3. Playa Pilar
Lots of people check into the big hotels on Cayo Coco, but far fewer choose to go to Cayo Guillermo. Although it's much quieter, you'll have no trouble finding a spot to soak up the sun at Playa Pilar.
An interesting fact is that the beach is named after the yacht of the writer Ernest Hemingway, since he often came here while on the island
Playa Pilar, Cuba
4. Playa Ancon
If you are in the colonial city of Trinidad and want to spend some time on the beach, then Playa Ancon is the perfect place. This is one of best beaches on south coast Cubes, a stunning destination with beautiful thatched umbrellas and attractive golden sand, offers snorkeling and diving in the nearby reefs.
Playa Ancon beach, Cuba
5. Cayo Santa Maria Beach
Cayo Santa Maria Beach, quite popular among honeymooners, is a delightful place on the northern coast of Cuba. Long, picturesque sandy beaches are famous places for swimming, snorkeling and watching the sunsets, which are said to be particularly impressive. Also opens from here beautiful view to luxury hotels located nearby. Santa Maria has 13 kilometers of public beach, so if sea and sand are your thing, this is the place for you.
Cayo Santa Maria beach, Cuba
6. Maria La Gorda
At the westernmost point of Cuba lies this stunning palm-fringed beach, favorite place divers. He was named one of ten best places for diving throughout Latin America.
Maria La Gorda beach, Cuba
7. Guardalavaca
Guardalavaca is a typical example of a classic Cuban beach: swaying palm trees, kilometers of white sand and clear blue sea. A cluster of small cafes, bars and a bustling street market are minor distractions from the vast sea of sand, which is said to be much less cluttered with algae. Vacationers can walk for several hours without reaching the edge of the beach, making it an excellent choice for those looking to relax, replenish energy and get closer to nature.
8. Playa Sirena
An excellent 3-kilometer beach - the only one on the island with perfect palm trees. Almost all hotels organize ferry and bus services to this point of the peninsula, which is located at the western peak of Cayo Largo. The harbor, shared by hotels, has a restaurant, bar and a full range of water sports, including diving, snorkeling and boat rentals of all kinds from kayaks to catamarans. If the beach is crowded, you can arrange a boat to take you to nearby, deserted islands such as Cayo Rico and Cayo Iguana.
Playa Sirena beach, Cuba
9. Playa Giron
Playa Giron beach is not much different from other small beaches in Cuba, it has the same coral sand and turquoise waters that are covered with wonderful reefs. But what makes it truly special is its testimony to how the Cuban people, over the years, have been the victims of various attacks that they so desperately fought off.
The first attack occurred at the beginning of the 17th century by a group of pirates under the command of Drake. The result was the beheading of the pirate by the inhabitants for attempting to capture him. Because of this, the Cubans decide to preserve the memory by baptizing the beach after the pirate Guiron.
Just five kilometers from the city of Guardalavaca in eastern Cuba, this beautiful beach. If you want to pamper yourself, there are two luxury hotels that are great place for accommodation. Among the amenities you will find here delicious food, drinks, aquatic species sports, as well as meet the best sunrises and take unforgettable walks.
Playa Esmeralda beach, Cuba
