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Voykit pocket guide · Cuba
Cayo Guillermo
Two nights max: the beach is world-class but there is nothing else. Use it as a pure beach stop between Central Cuba and the airport, not a base.
Cayo Guillermo is a narrow island off Cuba's north coast with 3–4 all-inclusive hotels, a long white-sand beach and zero local population. It is a dedicated resort zone: no towns, no shops, no Cuban residents. The beach rivals any in the Caribbean, but the experience is entirely contained within hotel walls. Most visitors fly into Jardines del Rey Airport on neighbouring Cayo Coco and cross the causeway by road. Two nights are enough; longer trips should include day trips to Morón, Remedios or Trinidad.
- Country
- Cuba
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (hurricane season, especially Sep–Oct)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CUP
- Money
- Currency is the Cuban peso (CUP). There are three official rates: 24 and 120 CUP per US dollar for state accounting, and a managed "floating" rate launched in December 2025 (about 680 CUP per US$1 in late September 2026). The informal street rate tracked by elTOQUE was about 730 CUP per US$1 on 26 September 2026. Rates move weekly — check before you go (checked 2026-09).
- Daily spend
- All-inclusive package USD 150–350 per person (check) · Day trip from Cayo Coco USD 30–60 (check) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- ETECSA is the only operator; tourist SIMs and eSIMs are sold with passport at the airport and ETECSA offices (check eSIM).
- Emergency
- Police 106 · Ambulance 104 · Fire 105
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C, L · 110 V and 220 V · 60 Hz · Casas often have both; check before plugging in.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% in cash.; Casa hosts, drivers, musicians: US$1–5.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water can be scarce, so bring a filter bottle or tablets.
- Toilets
- Often without seats or paper; carry tissue and small coins for attendants.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Taxi from hotel to Morón | USD 30–50 (check) |
| Organised day trip to Trinidad | USD 80–120 per person (check) |
| Bottle of water (hotel shop) | USD 2–3 |
| Cocktail at hotel bar | USD 5–10 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CCC · Jardines del Rey International Airport
- On neighbouring Cayo Coco; about 30 min by road across the causeway.
Typical fares
- Jardines del Rey Airport → hotel
- About 30 min by taxi; USD 30–50 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
No public transport on the island. Hotels run shuttles to the beach and to Cayo Coco. Taxis from the hotel reception for day trips. Walking between hotels is possible along the beach but not practical at night.
See and do
Known for
- Playa Pilar beach
- All-inclusive resort zone
- Birdwatching and flamingos
- Proximity to Cayo Coco
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Morón | Taxi from hotel, about 45 min | About 1 h |
| Remedios | Taxi or organised tour, about 1 h 15 min | About 1.5 h |
| Cayo Coco | Hotel shuttle or taxi across the causeway, about 20 min | About 30 min |
| Trinidad | Organised tour or taxi, about 3 h | About 3.5 h |
Sleep
- All-inclusive hotel strip
- The only option: 3–4 hotels along the north shore. No independent accommodation exists on the island.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | HolaOH-lah |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-see-ahs |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWES-tah |
| Where is the beach? | ¿Dónde está la playa?DOHN-deh es-TAH lah PLAH-yah |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favorlah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, or a cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Casas: Respect the family's routine and water use; avoid: Leaving air conditioning on in blackouts or low supply
- Shortages: Share useful supplies if asked; avoid: Handing out gifts in the street
- Politics: Let hosts lead; avoid: Pushing people to criticise the government
Scams and watch-outs
- Hotel room safes sometimes use the same key as the room door: keep valuables at reception instead.
- No ATMs or banks on the island; bring enough cash (CUP, USD or EUR) for tips and excursions.
- Wi-Fi is limited and slow; buy an eSIM before you travel if you need data.
- Organised excursions to Morón, Trinidad or Havana are expensive; check prices before booking.
The resort zone is very safe. The main risk is petty theft from hotel rooms if the safe is not secured. Avoid walking on the beach alone after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Cayo Guillermo yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Playa Pilar beach
- All-inclusive resort zone
- Birdwatching and flamingos
- Proximity to Cayo Coco
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Cayo Guillermo, revision 4944065 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4944065
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/cayo-guillermo). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.