Península de Guanahacabibes
Getting there from Havana: No matter which way you slice it, you’re in for a long journey. The best way to reach Península de Guanahacabibes is by rental car, with a total travel time of approximately five hours. If you take the train part way and then a taxi, expect a 10-hour journey.
All a part of the Guanahacabibes Peninsula Biosphere Reserve, created by UNESCO IN 1987, this verdant and seldom-visited destination is at the tail end of Cuba and can be difficult to reach for the casual tourist, but it’s definitely worth it. You’ll experience impressive diving and pristine beaches, and there’s a good chance you’ll be one of the few there to enjoy it all.
As far as nature goes, it’s hard to find an area—both above and below the surface—richer than Península de Guanahacabibes. Guanahacabibes National Park is an important nesting spot for green turtles, attracting researchers from all over the world, and has more than 170 bird species. The park’s prized jewel, María la Gorda beach, has a world-class diving center to serve the ambitious divers that trekked all the way to Cuba’s westernmost point, and a single beach hotel, Villa Maria la Gorda.
If you want to explore more than 1,000 feet of caves, head to Cuevas Las Perlas (Pearl Caves) in Cabo San Antonio where there’s also a lighthouse and beautiful beach.
