Things to Do on Holiday in Guardalavaca, Cuba
By Emma Lelliott
If you dream of getting away from it all and relaxing on the
Caribbean coast, a holiday in Guardalavaca, Cuba could be just
what you are looking for. Located near Holguin on the northeast
coast of Cuba, Guardalavaca is something of a hidden gem when it
comes to Cuban beach resorts. The beach is fantastic, the resort
has plenty of activities to keep you occupied and Guardalavaca's
hotels are top notch, but the resort remains quiet, secluded and
unspoilt, making it ideal for a relaxing beach vacation. Here
are a few highlights for a Guardalavaca holiday:
The Beaches
Most people come to Guardalavaca for one thing and one thing
only time on the beach. As though it weren't enough for a
resort to have one beautiful beach, while you are on a
Guardalavaca holiday you can choose from three Guardalavaca
beach itself, Esmerelda beach, and Playa Pesquero. There's even
a mini train that connects Guardalavaca beach to Esmerelda,
making it easy to move between the two.
All three beaches feature pristine white sand that slopes
gently into clear water, dotted with the occasional tree to
provide a spot of shade. The presence of the coral reef at
Guardalavaca keeps the water calm most of the time, making it
perfect for families and gentle swimming. Catamarans, pedalos
and other common beach activities are all available for those
who would like to do more than sunbathe.
Reef Diving
Out of all the diving spots in Cuba, Guardalavaca is a real
highlight for scuba enthusiasts due to the expansive coral reef,
located a few miles offshore. Teeming with wildlife, the reef is
a wonder to explore while scuba diving, with plenty of caves and
sheer drops to see. If you tire of the coral reefs themselves,
there are a number of shipwrecks that can also be seen. If you
are interested in scuba diving, the resort has several diving
centres that can arrange trips and equipment rental for the best
dive sites.
Swimming with Dolphins
Swimming with dolphins can be an amazing experience, and if you
are on holiday in Guardalavaca you will have the perfect
opportunity to take part in this unique activity. Close to the
resort is the Acuario Cayo Naranjo aquarium, where you can see
spectacular dolphin, seal and walrus shows, and then swim with
the dolphins yourself. The trainers will teach you how to get
the dolphins to splash and clap, and there is also the chance to
"surf" on the dolphins at the end of your swim. People of all
ages are able to take part, and life jackets are provided.
Deep Sea Fishing
Deep sea fishing has been associated with Cuba ever since
Ernest Hemingway (who was a keen hunter and fisherman when he
wasn't writing books) made the island his home in the 1930s, and
the Cuban waters are rich with tuna, barracuda, sailfish,
snapper, grouper, and many other kinds of fish. Those on holiday
in Guardalavaca can take part in this exciting and demanding
activity, and you don't need to be a veteran fisherman to do it.
Experienced crews can teach you the basics and take you out, and
the concentration of fish around the reef makes Guardalavaca a
great place to go for deep sea fishing trips.
About The Author: Emma Lelliott is the general manager of
Captivating Cuba, an independent Cuba holiday specialist. With
offices in Havana and the UK, Captivating Cuba
(www.captivatingcuba.com/cuba/guardalavaca/index.html)
can help you tailor-make the perfect Guardalavaca holiday.
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