Cayo Largo del Sur

Cayo Largo is a low limestone and sand island in the Canarreos archipelago, around twenty-five kilometres long, with a line of hotels at one end and beach for the rest of it. There is no town: the workforce flies in on rotation, and the island exists for the resorts. Playa Sirena and Playa Paraíso at the western end are the widest and calmest beaches, sea turtles nest on the southern shore, and iguanas live on the neighbouring cays, which boats visit.

What you actually see

• Playa Sirena - a wide calm beach on the western point, reached by boat or shuttle.
• The turtle nesting beaches - the southern shore, with a small hatchery and nesting season protection.
• Cayo Iguana - a neighbouring cay with a large population of rock iguanas, visited by boat.
• The reef - diving and snorkelling on the reefs along the southern side.

When to go

November to April is the dry season and the peak. Hurricane season from August to October affects the island directly. Turtle nesting runs through the summer months, which is the trade-off.

Honest expectations

There is nothing here but resorts: no independent restaurants, no town, no local life, and leaving the hotel means an excursion. Getting on and off is by air only, which makes changes of plan expensive. Prices are high and quality varies sharply between hotels.

Nearby

Isla de la Juventud is west in the same archipelago, and Havana is an hour by air.