The Best Havana Beaches Guide:   Beaches near Havana Guide

You’ll know from our guides to Havana that most people don’t come here to visit the beaches.  There are many other places in Cuba to visit for the beaches.  However, there are beaches you can see within the limits of the city of Havana, and you don’t have to go far. Here are Havana’s best beaches, how to get to the best beaches in Havana, and top tips to ensure you have the best time.

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As you travel around Havana, you’ll notice that most of the ocean that butts up to the city is surrounded by a seawall, and that the Malecón stretches all the way down from Old Havana to Vedado.   You’ll also see locals in the water here, but not a whole lot of sand.  And no, it doesn’t look that great. But fear not, we’ve got you covered, our guide takes you to the best beaches within Havana’s city borders and tells you how to get there too.

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Havana’s Best Beaches

These aren’t the best beaches in Cuba, for that you’ll need to head to places like one of the stunning Cays of Cuba, or perhaps Varadero or Holguin.  But we know not everyone has the time that it will take to get there.  So if you’re in Havana and you’re looking for a beach, then look no further.  Here are the best options for hitting the beach and staying in Havana.

The best beaches closest to Havana are known as the Playas del Este (the beaches of the east). I’ve written about these beaches here in my best beaches of Cuba guide, and they’re also covered in my day trips from Havana guide, too.  And, when I get it updated, there’s my specific guide to the Playas del Este.

You’ll also find waterfront (I hesitate to call it a beach) at Playita de 16 in Miramar, but there’s not much sand here, lots of rocks, and well, I’m mentioning it because you might be really desperate! 

So let me step through these beaches, and I go through them in proximity to Havana, so the first ones are the closest to the city.  Ready?

Havana’s Playas del Este

These beaches, to the east of the city, continue for around 4 miles (6 kilometers), and you can reach them in a short 20-minute drive from the city.  They’re perfect for a day trip from Havana, and they’re also popular with Cubanos looking to escape the heat of the city.

Over the European winter months of January through April is when you’ll find them less crowded. Cubans tend to find the water and the temperatures too cold to visit at this time.  (It’s usually around 26 degrees (79 Fahrenheit) – but perhaps, like me, that’s fine to be dipping in the water!

Getting to the Playas del Este Beaches from Havana

These are popular beaches with Cubanos from Havana because they can get there on public transport very cheaply.  Your easiest option is to take a private transfer and maximise your time at the beach.   Alternatively, here are the other ways to get from Havana to the Playas del Este beaches.

• The most affordable way to reach the Playas del Este is by taking a public bus, which costs around US$0.05. In Havana, these buses are known as “guas guas” (pronounced “wa wa”). Be aware that they’re usually crowded, lack air conditioning, and you’ll likely stand out as a tourist. Keep your valuables in sight at all times.  To get to Guanabo, make sure you catch the bus heading in that direction.
• Take the train — it typically operates from Tuesday to Sunday (note: not on Mondays). There are usually only three carriages, so it’s often very crowded. The train departs from Havana’s railway terminal at 9:00 AM and arrives at the beach at 10:32 AM. The return train leaves the Playas del Este at 6:05 PM, arriving back in Havana at 7:40 PM. Tickets cost 35 CUP each way.  Note that a lack of rolling stock, fuel, and maintenance means that trains in Cuba aren’t the most reliable way of traveling.  Read my guide to Cuba’s trains here.
• Take the Hop-on Hop-off bus to the Playas del Este — The Havana Hop-on Hop-off bus, operated by Transtur, goes to Playa del Este in about 30 minutes. You’ll need the T3 route, which departs from Habana Centro, with the main stop at Parque Central (right across from Hotel Inglaterra). An all-day ticket costs US$10, and the service operates from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. You’ll find both locals and tourists riding this bus.
• Take a taxi — You can ask your casa particular host to help arrange one, or head to the nearest major hotel to find a taxi easily. A ride from Havana to the Playas del Este beaches typically costs around US$15 each way, though the exact price may vary depending on your bargaining skills.

Right.  Now you know what your options are for getting to the beaches. Here are the beaches to the east of Havana.

1. Playa Bacuranao

As I said above, this comes first because it is the closest beach to the city of Havana.  That doesn’t mean it’s the nicest.   It’s generally a local’s beach, but it isn’t the cleanest, and you might want to consider others before this one.

The beach is quite small and is in a bay, so that confines it somewhat.   The sand is a little coarser here than beaches further to the east, and it’s not a magical white sand beach.  The water gets deep quite quickly.   And, unless you’re local, you’re likely to be a target for the touts wanting to sell you something.  The Torreon de Bacuranao on the headland to the west frames the bay.

2. Playa Tarará

Next further to the east of Havana is Playa Tarará.   It is the first of the beaches that almost run into each other along this stretch of the coast.  Playa Tarará backs onto a town behind the beach, which usually has several places to eat and some rooms that you can rent (I usually recommend Homestay for places to stay, but they’re only showing availability at the moment at the next beach along, check them out anyway). 

The beach here is pretty, and you’ll get some awesome sunsets if the weather behaves itself!

3. Playa Megano

Here at Playa Megano, you’ll hit the glorious white sand beach, which really is stunning and possibly the nicest along this stretch of waterfront.  You’ll be able to rent beach chairs and umbrellas – check that they’re working and not broken before you pay.  And if there’s cold beer available, they’ll also bring it to you as well.

Vendors wander along the beach selling snacks too, so it’s well serviced in that respect.  Locals will fish directly from the beach, and the restaurants on the beachfront will offer lobster (if available) for a good price. 

There’s likely to be watersports available here– from kayaks to paddle-boarding and inflatable banana boats too.

4. Playa Marazul

You’ll know that you’re on Playa Marazul as it fronts the Mar Azul Hotel.  But it also lives up to its name – you’ll find beautiful white sand and relatively shallow water here.   It’s also one of the less crowded beaches of the Playas del Este.

You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas here, and there are a few places to eat. 

5. Playa Santa Maria del Mar

Continuing our journey eastbound, we’ll find Playa Santa Maria del Mar – with more beautiful white sand, although quite a bit more of it.  Santa Maria is a great beach to come to.  It has super facilities for Cuba, with umbrellas and beach chairs, vendors selling food and drinks, and it is stunning.

6. Playa Mi Cayito

Known as “the Gay Beach”, this is a little more secluded and has fewer services, but is no less beautiful than the others in this part of the Playas del Este.   There’s soft white sand here, and the water is shallow a long way out.   You’ll find sunbeds and chairs, and umbrellas for rent here as well as vendors who will bring beer and snacks to your chair.  Mi Cayito is LGBTQ-friendly.

7. Playa Boca Ciega

This quiet beach is often overlooked by those heading further east to Playa Guanabo.   It is one of the quietest and least crowded in Havana, and it’s worth a look for that reason alone.   As usual, there are rentals of sunbeds and umbrellas available, but other facilities are a little more scarce.  For food, try La Casa del Pescador, a few blocks inland. 

There’s more wave action here in the water, especially with an onshore breeze, and it’s not recommended for nervous swimmers.

9. Playa Guanabo

We have reached the end of the string of beaches known as the Playas del Este in Havana.  Playa Guanabo is the furthest away, although if you’re using public transport to get here, it might be easier to get here than, say, Playa Boca Ciega or Playa Marazul because of the stops and distance of the beaches from the stops.

Taking a private transfer, of course, means that it’s easy to go to whichever beach you want!

Playa Guanabo gives you gloriously white, soft sand and clear waters.  There’s also a town here backing onto the beach, so there tend to be more facilities too.   Of course, sunbeds and umbrella rentals are also possible here.

And this is also a great place to stay over.   There are some super options for casa particulars that you can stay at and relax a little longer at the beach here.  Check out Homestay for options. 

Final Words on Havana’s Best Beaches

You don’t have to travel far from Havana to get a great beach.  You can be on white sand, lounging on a sunbed with a cold beer in your hand in 20 minutes or so if you head to the Playas del Este.  These beaches to the east of Cuba’s capital are a great way to explore beach life in Cuba without going too far.  Which will you pick?

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