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If a quiet stretch of sugar-sand beach on clear Caribbean waters sounds like the perfect vacation spot for you, then Cayo Coco, Cuba may be the tropical island vacation you are looking for.

Cayo Coco is one of the largest cays, little islands, tucked away on Cuba’s north coast among the string of cays in the area known as Jardines del Rey which translates to “Gardens of the King”. The cay is separated from the mainland by a stone causeway and only tourists and workers at the hotels and resorts are allowed over to the island. Because the island is a vacation destination only and no locals live there, the crime rate is almost non-existent which helps to make this a stress-free environment for visitors.

Cayo Coco has a long history as a quiet island destination with such famous visitors as Ernest Hemingway who spent his days there fishing and writing. However, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that this cay became a sought-after tourist destination and several hotels and resorts have sprung up over time. Because of its fairly new status as a vacation destination, Cayo Coco visitors enjoy quiet beaches with plenty of room as compared to other island destinations. Visitors from Canada and Europe have enjoyed the luxury of these four and five star hotels and resorts with all-inclusive accommodations for several years. After President Obama lifted travel restrictions, tourism in Cuba may see a big increase at destinations such as Cayo Coco.

Flying into this island paradise has become easier since 2005 because of the addition of their own international airport, the Jardines del Rey Airport. From there you are escorted to your hotel and checked in quickly so you can begin enjoying your vacation. Some of the hotels cater to adults only while others are very family friendly. You will want to choose your hotel by the services it offers and the style of vacation you wish to have. All of the hotels are within walking distance of the vast stretch of pristine beach.

There are many ways to spend your day at Cayo Coco. Water sport enthusiasts have several exciting options to enjoy the crystal clear ocean waters. You can jet ski, kayak, sail a catamaran across the water, go windsurfing or speed-boating, or try paracending. A day can be spent sport fishing, trying to hook a Blue Marlin or wrestle a Swordfish out of the water. Swim with dolphins and learn about these intelligent creatures or just enjoy a leisurely swim in the ocean and a day lying on the beach. Keep an eye on the water and watch the antics of the many wild dolphins spotted less than 25 yards off the shore.

Snorkeling and scuba diving in the ocean off of Cayo Coco is a very popular sport because of the long stretch of coral reef just off shore. Cayo Coco’s barrier reef is the second largest coral reef in the world and is home to many tropical species of ocean life. Scuba diving lessons are offered at many of the resorts and hotels for those who want to learn in order to enjoy visiting the coral reef. If you want to see the beauty of the coral reef and its inhabitants without getting wet you can board the glass-bottom boat for a magnificent tour of the reef.

Those who prefer the land can explore the marshes and lagoons and marvel at the beautiful flora and fauna of the island. Hiking and bike trails make exploring the island easy and fun. Bird watching is also a popular pastime on the island as there are over 100 species of wild birds. Cayo Coco is a wild-life preserve and is home to the largest colony of wild pink flamingos in the world as well as such species as the gray heron, cormorant, woodpecker, pelican and the coco bird in which the island is named after. Horseback riding along the shoreline is also a fun and romantic way to spend your day.

If you enjoy sports you will not be left out as most of the hotels and resorts offer such amenities as tennis courts, swimming pools, exercise gyms, beach volleyball, aerobics classes and many other activities to keep you fit and trim.

Day trips to various locations on and off the island are also available. The Jungle Tour offers adventurous visitors the chance to speed-boat through a mangrove swamp and snorkel in one of the crystal-clear lakes. A visit to the crocodile farm, a train ride through the sugar cane fields or a tour of one of the local sugar mills are also popular trips. Day trips to Trinidad or Havana let you explore Cuba more fully and a day trip to Jamaica is also a fun way to spend your time.

In the evening you can enjoy dinner at one of the many hotel restaurants. Hotel and resort packages include meals but you can always go to one of the other restaurants to sample their cuisine. Buffets are plentiful in this island paradise but you can choose to eat a la carte off their menu also. Wherever you choose to dine you are sure to enjoy a delicious meal.

Many of the family-friendly hotels offer activities, game rooms and entertainment for the younger generation in the evenings so parents can go out and enjoy the nightlife. Each hotel and resort has its own bar or disco but you can wander freely between places to sample all of the nightlife. At the Melia Cayo Coco Hotel they put on a different themed show each evening and some of the discos have dancers who put on a show. You can also take a short train ride to the Cueva Del Jabali, Boar’s Cave, a disco and restaurant inside a cave. Whether you spend your nights dancing or taking a moonlight stroll on the quiet beach, you are sure to enjoy the island nightlife.

Cayo Coco offers a friendly, relaxing atmosphere for your island vacation and is a destination you are sure to want to visit more than once. From water sports to bird watching, Cayo Coco has the perfect mixture of fun and relaxation to make your vacation a dream come true.

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