Keys of Cuba

Cayo Coco & Cayo Guillermo

North of the Cuban eastern province of Ciego de Avila is one of the fastest-growing destinations in the Island's tourist sector, the Jardines del Rey (King's Gardens) archipelago. According to legend, the exuberant nature of such islets as Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo and Paredon Grande led Conquistador Diego Velazquez to name that region in honor of Spanish King Fernando the Catholic.
The region's tourist infrastructure has grown dynamically, and the sector's main target is to build more than 20,000 rooms, in addition to a modern airport, ports, nautical bases, natural parks and, of course, to implement ecotourism programs. Jardines del Rey's closeness to a 400-kilometer coral reef, considered the second largest in the world - after the one in Australia, gives a touch of class to the region's tourist offer, with a wide range of diving activities in warm and crystal-clear waters.

Many colonies of flamingos and other migratory birds choose the aforementioned islets to nest in winter, a condition that has been preserved while building a tourist infrastructure that respects the natural environment in the first place. The region's major key, Cayo Coco, is the fourth largest islet in the Cuban archipelago, covering an area of 370 square kilometers, including 22 kilometers of excellent beaches, complemented by mangrove vegetation and coconut trees. Among Cayo Coco's beaches stand out Las Coloradas, Jaula and Flamenco, where vacationers can go diving and enjoy the breathtakingly-beautiful sea bottoms, which are populated by a wide range of plant and animal species.

The name of Cayo Coco comes from the presence of White Ibis - popularly known as Coco (coconut) birds - which adorn the islet with their bright colors. Some 200 animal species live on the islet, including birds and reptiles like iguanas, as well as more than 360 plant species, many of which are endemic. Cayo Coco offers first-class hotels, artificial lakes, swimming pools, entertainment and services in an environment that has barely been altered by human action, guaranteeing an unforgettable stay.,The islet is separated from mainland by a causeway that begins in Turiguano, which is north of Ciego de Avila and is famous for its lagoons, where trout fishing and beautiful rural landscapes are the main attractions for tourists.

Book yourself on a splendid cruise on the Royal Caribbean cruise line as it brings you to exotic islands and splendid tropical locations in the Caribbean islands. You'll get the opportunity to explore the beauty of these tropical paradises while onboard our modern luxury cruise ships of the Royal Caribbean cruise line. Azure blue waters, clear sunny skies and powdery white sand beaches await you should you have a stopover in the Jardines del Rey archipleago found at the tip of the eastern province of Ciego de Avila.

Cayo Santa María

A 48-km-long road on the sea - called causeway - connects the largest island of the Cuban archipelago with Santa Maria, Las Brujas, Ensenachos, Cobos, Fragoso, Frances and Espanol de Adentro, among other keys.

There exist unique conditions for the keys to be a safe haven for the local flora and fauna, including such exclusive species as the rat hutia, in addition to other endemic species such as lizards, mollusks and the so-called shrike bird. Animal diversity is complemented with the region's exuberant flora, made up of 248 species, including 91 medicinal, 72 timber, 41 resign-producing and 40 ornamental species, along with vestiges of pre-Columbian cultures in caverns near the beach, and beautiful underwater seascapes. A system of channels becomes a true aquatic labyrinth between the keys, while offering a huge potential for observation programs and nautical activities. Another singularity of the region is the San Pascual boat, which ran aground near Cayo Frances almost 70 years ago, and has become a naval rarity, since it was made of reinforced concrete in San Francisco, California, in 1920. Also known by the local people as El Ponton, many consider the ship another islet. It offers vacationers the amenities of its 10 cabins and an enviable location to enjoy the region's many attractions. ,For those visiting the area, Ensenachos boasts one of the best beaches, although its small extension limits the key's development program to a maximum of 600 rooms to prevent damaging the environment. The stronghold in the development of the local leisure industry is Cayo Santa Maria, where there is a hotel, and there exists an investment project to build a maximum of 5,000 rooms, in addition to an air terminal and a runway on Cayo Las Brujas to receive small- and medium-size planes. ,Nature itself has created the conditions for leisure, including a coral reef that attenuates the force of winds and waves, thus creating a unique environment to welcome thousands of vacationers who visit the region every year, Cayo Santa Maria, which is 13 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide, boasts 11 kilometres of excellent beaches and is linked to the big island by a causeway on the sea. The islet, which was designated a "Biosphere Reserve" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is inhabited by a wide range of animals, including ten endemic species.

Cayo Santa Maria is also home to large colonies of flamingos, seagulls and anhingas, as well as iguanas, mollusks and the so-called shrike bird, while its sea bottoms are inhabited by algae. The key is also a safe haven for amphibian mollusks, reptiles, mammals and birds. Other birds living on the key are the tocororo (Cuban trogon), which is Cuba's national bird, as well as woodpeckers and hawks. Among the mammals are deer and various species of hutias, including the rat hutia. Animal diversity is complemented by the region's exuberant flora, made up of 248 species, including 91 medicinal, 72 timber, 41 resin-producing and 40 ornamental species. Mangroves, as well as palms, fruit trees and coconuts cover the islet. The key holds remnants of pre-Columbian cultures in caverns near the beaches, which boast beautiful underwater seascapes.