Playas del Este is Havana’s own 9-km-long Riviera. It starts about 18km east of Havana at the Bacuranao resort, continuing through the towns of El Mégano, Tarará, Boca Ciega, Santa María del Mar until it reaches Guanabo. Lined with shady pine trees, during the hot summer months Playas del Este becomes the center of social life, the place where the whole of Havana descends to cool off and relax on the fine white sand and azure waters of the Atlantic.

Don’t expect the facilities of similar beaches at the fancy Cuban resorts of Cayo Coco or Varadero. The place is real Cuba, unpretentious and unadorned, with large, ugly Russian-style hotels and small, seedy restaurants lining the beach, which ultimately is what makes it so attractive for tourists who want to see how real Cubans spend their free time and enjoy themselves.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Book Market in Plaza de Armas Camera Obscura Castillo de la Real Fuerza Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro Catedral de San Cristobal El Malecon Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana Fusterlandia Gran Teatro de La Habana Hotel Nacional de Cuba La Bodeguita del Medio Miramar Museo de la Ciudad Museo de la Revolucion Museo Hemingway Finca Vigia Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes Museo Napoleonico Paseo del Prado Playas del Este Plaza de la Revolucion Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas San Francisco de Asis Square The Capitol Building

Explore more: Caribbean > What to See in Havana, Cuba

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.