Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos

Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos are islands located about 30 kilometres off the northern coast of Cuba, in the province of Villa Clara. Nearby is also Cayo Las Brujas, and together, they form part of the so-called Cayos de la Herradura, which includes more than 500 islets spread across the area. Many of these are uninhabited and pristine, offering an explosion of fauna and flora.

They are popular tourist destinations due to their resemblance to the most famous Caribbean beaches, with soft, light-coloured sand and turquoise waters. Additionally, this area is known for the appeal of its marine life, as the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest coral reef in the world, lies along its northern edge. Therefore, you can not only sunbathe but also dive and engage in other water sports.

If you love animals and nature in general, Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos are part of a Wildlife Refuge, home to an abundance of birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, as well as nearly 250 species of flora, many of which are native.

And while the beauty of this place is impressive, there is also the option to visit the surrounding areas, such as the towns of Remedios, Caibarién, Santa Clara, and Trinidad. All of these are small towns with interesting architecture and various museums.

To fully savour what a destination has to offer, it’s essential to get to know the local cuisine - these are the typical dishes to try in Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos!

Best dishes

This little paradise is located in Cuba, so the typical dishes here are the same as in the rest of the country. These include arroz congrí, the national dish par excellence, which consists of rice with red beans and can be accompanied by garlic and onion, spices, and pork crackling; ropa vieja, shredded beef with red peppers and tomato paste, served with white rice and fried plantains; a light meat broth called caldosa, or yuca with mojo, which is fried and served with this delicious sauce.

However, as it’s a small island, fish is another staple in the restaurants of Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos, as the island is surrounded by sea on all sides. If you like fresh fish, this is your chance to indulge!

On the other hand, due to the tourism, you can not only enjoy fresh fish and seafood or local cuisine, but there’s also a variety of international dishes, with options inspired by any culinary style.

Best Restaurants

As this is a very touristy region and the hotels and resorts are located right on the beach, most places to eat in Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos are within these establishments, offering either a menu or buffet service. In Cayo Ensenachos, the Ranchón Pelícano is very well-known, while in Cayo Santa María, Meliá Buenavista and Paradisus stand out.

If you want to include adventure activities and outdoor sports in your trip, these are the things to do in Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos!

Sports in Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos are mainly concentrated on the beaches, which are the main attraction of this place. In addition to enjoying relaxing swims, you can explore the underwater world by snorkelling and admire the beauty of the second-largest coral reef in the world. Anther activity in Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos are sports fishing, where you will have to immerse yourself in their natural pools, or catamaran rides, if you prefer to explore the area from the surface.

Other activities in Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos include sport fishing, where you’ll dive into their natural pools, or catamaran rides if you prefer to explore the area from the surface.

For nature lovers who want to get up close and personal with the local flora and fauna, exploring the area will reveal various types of birds, such as flamingos, seagulls, or the loggerhead shrike. Regarding plant species, more than 200 are waiting for you here, spread across all the cayos. Don’t miss out on adventure activities in Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos!

If you want to complement your holiday with some local culture and entertainment, don’t miss these activities in Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos!

As the area is almost entirely set up for tourism, this destination doesn’t have museums or spaces to learn about the history, customs, or culture of Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos.

For that, you would need to head to the Cuban mainland, where Santa Clara is the nearest area and the gateway to El Pedraplén, the road and only access route to the cayos. In this small city, you’ll find the Che Guevara Mausoleum, making it a perfect stop to immerse yourself in the country’s history and culture.

For leisure in Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos, there are numerous shops and entertainment venues. From shopping centres to greengrocers and small artisanal markets.

And if you want to enjoy the nightlife as much as the day, active tourism in Cayo Santa María and Cayo Ensenachos is in luck because, once again, the hotels have bars and spaces dedicated to this purpose.