Things to do in Cayo Coco

Best time to visit Cayo Coco

• a note or something on   ✦ an occasion worth the trip

• December to April

  Dry, sunny, high season; book resorts ahead

• May and June

  Warm, good value, occasional rain

• July and August

  Hot and humid; hurricane season begins

• September and October

  Peak hurricane season; cheapest rates, highest risk

• November

  The island recovers; good value

What's on

• Resort theme nights year-round

  The calendar is the resorts' entertainment programs

Best things to do in Cayo Coco

• Playa Pilar

  Free

  The famous beach on Cayo Guillermo; go early before the tour buses arrive.

• Cayo Coco lagoons

  Free

  Shallow lagoons hosting pink flamingo colonies; best at early morning.

• Playa Los Flamencos

  Free

  Long north-shore beach backed by flamingo lagoons; good for a long walk.

• La Cueva del Jabalí

  $$

  The famous disco inside a natural cave; check which nights it runs.

• Rocarena Climbing Center

  $$

  Outdoor climbing park near the resorts; fun half-day, equipment provided.

• Parque Natural El Bagá

  $$

  Nature park with mangrove trails and wildlife; book through the resort tour desk.

• Playa Prohibida

  Free

  Quiet undeveloped beach at the island's eastern end; bring water.

Best restaurants in Cayo Coco

• Ranchón Playa Flamenco

  $$

  Beach ranchón for lobster and garlic shrimp; the best independent lunch.

• Ranchón Las Dunas

  $

  Dunes ranchón for BBQ lobster and fish at local prices.

• Camino del Mar

  $$

  Seafood restaurant on the island; a step up for dinner out of the resort.

• Plaza Los Flamencos

  $

  Shopping and dining plaza with casual food and a bar; a low-key evening out.

Outdoor things to do in Cayo Coco

• Cayo Guillermo

  Free

  Neighbouring cay by causeway: Playa Pilar, the marina, and quieter beaches.

• Morón

  $

  Mainland town day trip: market, rooster monument, and peso-priced food.

• Laguna de la Leche

  $

  The milk lagoon near Morón with flamingos and water birds; combine with town.

Best hotels in Cayo Coco

• Meliá Cayo Coco

  $$$$

  Adults-only resort on Las Coloradas with lagoon bungalows; best for couples.

• TRYP Cayo Coco

  $$$

  Family-friendly resort in the west zone with easy island access.

• Pullman Cayo Coco

  $$$$

  Modern five-star resort with multiple pools; good for families and couples.

• Memories Caribe Beach Resort

  $$$

  Big beachfront resort with a lively entertainment program.

• Playa Paraíso

  $$$

  Beachfront resort with a quieter feel.

• Iberostar Daiquirí

  $$$

  Beachfront hotel with colonial architecture; good for diving and water sports.

• Hotel Playa Coco

  $$

  Smaller good-value beachfront resort.

• Meliá Jardines del Rey

  $$$

  Big family resort with extensive facilities.

Is Cayo Coco expensive? What a day costs

A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room

What to book ahead

• Rocarena Climbing Center: a few days ahead
• Parque Natural El Bagá: a few days ahead
• Meliá Cayo Coco: weeks ahead
• TRYP Cayo Coco: weeks ahead
• Pullman Cayo Coco: weeks ahead
• Memories Caribe Beach Resort: weeks ahead
• Playa Paraíso: weeks ahead
• Iberostar Daiquirí: weeks ahead

• Reef and catamaran excursions: book at the resort tour desk the day before
• Playa Pilar day: go early; the beach bus is crowded by late morning
• La Cueva del Jabalí: check which nights it runs

Is Cayo Coco safe?

• The resort zone is very safe; risks are sun, sea, and mosquitoes
• Do not swim alone at unguarded beaches; use reef-safe sunscreen
• Police 106, ambulance 104; US travellers should check current Cuba travel regulations

Cayo Coco travel tips: tourist traps to skip

• Resort food quality varies enormously; read recent reviews of your specific hotel
• All-inclusive drinks are local brands; imported spirits cost extra
• Mosquitoes are fierce after rain; bring strong repellent

Getting around Cayo Coco: public transport and more

• The double-decker tourist bus runs the resort strip and to Cayo Guillermo
• Taxis cover the island; agree the fare first
• Excursions book through the resort tour desks
• The causeway connects Cayo Coco to Cayo Guillermo and the mainland

Who Cayo Coco suits

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