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Major city · Cuba

Maria la GordaMaría la Gorda

Spend one night for diving or a beach stop; otherwise skip – travel time ~3 h from Viñales, CUC15 transfer each way.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Maria la Gorda is a tiny resort village on a peninsula in western Cuba, known for its dive centre, mangrove‑shell landscape and limited services. It is reachable only by pre‑booked transfer (about 3 h from Viñales) and offers one hotel, a beach and basic dining. One night is enough for diving or a quick beach break; otherwise it can be omitted from a western Cuba itinerary.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
CUP
Best months
Nov–Apr (dry season)
avoid Jun–Oct (hurricane risk)
Airport
HAV
Nights
1

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Maria la Gorda: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 8Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…US State DepartmentUS citizens and US residents (US persons) may not travel …No cards
  • Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
  • Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
  • Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
  • Cuba ↗US State Department: Level 2, exercise increased caution (in place since 2025; the US Embassy reported another island-wide blackout on 18 September 2026). UK FCDO: against all but essential travel (updated 25 September 2026). Canada: avoid non-essential travel (updated 28 September 2026). Australia: reconsider your need to travel. Read your own government's advice and check your insurance still covers Cuba before booking (checked 2026-09).
  • Cuba ↗Check entry rules for your passport with the Cuban embassy or official sources; most visitors need an e-visa (formerly the tourist card) and the online D'Viajeros form, and requirements change.
  • Cuba ↗US citizens and US residents (US persons) may not travel to Cuba as tourists. The trip must fit one of 12 OFAC general-licence categories: family visits; official government business; journalism; professional research and meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, competitions and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; private foundations and research institutes; information and informational materials; and certain export transactions. Most independent travellers use 'support for the Cuban people', which needs a full-time schedule of activities with Cuban people and private businesses (casas, paladares, private guides), and records kept for 5 years. US persons may not stay at properties on the State Department's Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List (11 more Havana hotels added 14 July 2025) or deal directly with entities on the Cuba Restricted List (GAESA and other military-linked businesses). Rules tightened in 2025–26; check OFAC before booking (checked 2026-09).
  • Cuba ↗Medical insurance is compulsory for entry: carry proof of a policy valid in Cuba, or buy a Cuban (Asistur) policy on arrival. US-based insurers are generally not accepted in Cuba; flights from the US include a Cuban medical policy in the fare — keep the boarding pass as proof (check with your airline). Hospital bills are payable in cash only, so buy cover with medical evacuation as well (checked 2026-09).
  • Cuba ↗No cards: US-issued debit and credit cards have never worked in Cuba because of the embargo, and since 6 June 2026 Visa and Mastercard cards from any country are no longer accepted (Cuban Central Bank, after a foreign processor dropped FINCIMEX under US Executive Order 14404). Bring enough US dollars or euros in cash for the whole stay plus an emergency reserve (checked 2026-09).

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Maria la Gorda106 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Maria la Gorda, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Budget bedHotel Maria la Gorda double room, a night, per roomCUP 6,600
  • Mid-range bedHotel Maria la Gorda double room, a night, per roomCUP 6,600
  • High-end bedHotel Maria la Gorda double room, a night, per roomCUP 6,600

A day, not counting the bed: Budget CUP 2,000 · Mid CUP 3,500 · High CUP 5,000

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Diving centreMangrove‑shell shorelineBeach
Airports
HAV José Martí International Airport (Main international gateway; connect via Havana‑Viñales transfer to Maria la Gorda)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    30°C (86°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Apr (3). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Maria la Gorda: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

27°C (81°F)

18°C (64°F)

5 rd

Feb

27°C (81°F)

18°C (64°F)

5 rd

Mar

28°C (82°F)

19°C (66°F)

4 rd

Apr

29°C (84°F)

20°C (68°F)

3 rd

May

30°C (86°F)

22°C (72°F)

5 rd

Jun

31°C (88°F)

24°C (75°F)

9 rd

Jul

32°C (90°F)

25°C (77°F)

12 rd

Aug

32°C (90°F)

25°C (77°F)

12 rd

Sep

31°C (88°F)

24°C (75°F)

10 rd

Oct

30°C (86°F)

22°C (72°F)

6 rd

Nov

28°C (82°F)

20°C (68°F)

5 rd

Dec

27°C (81°F)

18°C (64°F)

5 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

No public buses. Book a transfer through a tour agency (e.g., daily 08:00‑17:00 from Viñales, CUC15 each way). Within the resort walk to beach, restaurant and dive centre.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Playa Larga (nearby beach)

go

Door to door: ≈1 h total

Walk 2 km (1.2 mi) along the peninsula trail, about 30 min each way

Good for a quick swim and shell‑watching; no transport needed.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Hotel Maria la Gorda

CUC66 per double room, hot water, TV, rich breakfast; only accommodation in the area.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
CUC20–30 excl. bed
Mid
CUC35–50 excl. bed
High
CUC60+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Hotel Maria la Gorda double room1 × 1 night × CUP 6,600CUP 6,600
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CUP 3,500CUP 7,000
Transfer Viñales ↔ Maria la Gorda (round‑trip)2 × CUP 1,500 · CUC15 per person each way; check schedule.CUP 3,000
Dive day‑ticket2 × CUP 3,000 · Typical price, check with dive centre.CUP 6,000
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeCUP 2,260
Trip total≈ CUP 12,430 per person per day, bed includedCUP 24,860

CUC66 ≈ CUP6600 (2026 rate).

2026 estimate in CUP; flights and international transfers excluded.

Prices of common things

Hotel room (double, CUC66)CUC66
Transfer from Viñales (one way)CUC15
Dive day‑ticketCUC30–45
Meal at à la carte restaurantCUC10–20

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Generally safe for tourists; main risks are weather (hurricanes) and limited medical facilities nearby.
  • Hurricane damage from Ivan (2004) and Wilma (2005); check weather before travel.
  • Dinner buffet is low value (CUC15 per person) – consider à la carte or skip.
  • Limited activities beyond diving and a short hike; plan expectations accordingly.

Emergency numbers

Police
106
Ambulance
104
Fire
105

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Maria la GordaMaría la Gorda

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police106
  • Ambulance104
  • Fire105

Embassy

US consular services are in Havana; check for updates before travel.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Viñales → Maria la Gorda transfer: about CUC15 per person, 3 h (check schedule)

Say or show

  • Hola / Disculpe — Hello / Excuse me (ola / diskulpe)
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwanto kwesta)
  • Quisiera una habitación — I would like a room (kisiera una abitacion)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Maria la Gorda. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season) · avoid Jun–Oct (hurricane risk) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 1 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Cuba

Sources

Ask about Maria la Gorda

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