Where is Santa Lucia in Cuba?
Santa Lucia, also known as Playa Santa Lucia, is located on Cuba’s north coast in the geographic center of the country. Santa Lucia is detached from the island of Cayo Sabinal due to the La Boca canal, a slim sea estuary which leads into the larger Bahia de Nuevitas (Nuevitas Bay). Seen using satellite imagery, Playa Santa Lucia would have been an island had the lowlands between the aforementioned Bahia de Nuevitas and Bahia de Nuevas Grandes (further east) been just 30 meters lower than they currently are. Therefore, while not an island, Santa Lucia is as close to being part of the Jardines del Rey Archipelago as any Cuban mainland destination could be. The obvious benefits of the location are, easy road access from Camaguey (population 330,465) and the same coastline and reefs that make the Jardines del Rey Islands so attractive to tourism.
The town of La Boca is a small seaside town, with less than 2000 inhabitants, perched on the northwest coast of Santa Lucia at the limit of the sea estuary. There are no tourism installations in the town, although it is a popular place to visit from the Playa Santa Lucia Hotels which are around 10 km further down the coastline.
At the start of the hotel zone there is an airport called Joaquin de Aguero Airport or NLU, also known as Santa Lucia Airport. The airport is being updated to permit direct flights from international destinations such as Canada and Europe. The update underway will extend the runway for larger planes and also incorporate the building of a new terminal.
Santa Lucia is 643 km (399 miles) from Havana. Varadero is 554 km (344 miles) from Playa Santa Lucia, whereas the closest major cities to Santa Lucia are Camaguey (population of 330,465) at 109 km (68 miles) and Las Tunas (population of 193,338) 87 km (54 miles) away. Both Camaguey and Las Tunas are authentic Cuban cities and, as such, popular tour destinations from Playa Santa Lucia (click above map for detail)
Santa Lucia as part of a tour of Cuba? Due to its easy mainland access and multiple entry points to Cuba’s 1435 km Carretera Central (Central Highway), the main road artery that runs through the center of the country, Santa Lucia is a favorite destination for those looking to add a beach destination to a broader tour of Cuba. Located between Camaguey and Las Tunas, it takes just 1 hour to transit the minor roads from the Central Highway at Camaguey to get to the resorts along the 21km (13 miles) beach of Playa Santa Lucia. Departing again from Santa Lucia, road trip vacationers often continue their tour of Cuba by taking the alternate route southeast. This passes through Puerto Padre (see image below) in Las Tunas then leads onto Holguin and beyond. In fact, it’s quite feasible to use Santa Lucia as a stopover point, halfway through a Cuba road trip, before contemplating the final 286 km (178 miles) to Santiago de Cuba. Contact us via chat for our unique Cuba Road Trip Package.
Even though there are no direct flights, to give an idea of just how close Santa Lucia in Cuba is to The Bahamas, the Clarence A. Bain Airport (MAY) in the Bahamas is just 301 km (187 miles) from Joaquin de Aguero Airport or Santa Lucia Airport (NLU).
With regard to the United States of America, Key West Florida is just 356 miles (572 kilometers) by flight from Playa Santa Lucia.
San Hilario Fort and Colon Lighthouse Tour
Just a 20 minute boat ride from Playa Santa Lucia is the island of Cayo Sabinal. An important historically relevant island due to the Spanish presence and fortress present there. Faro Colon (Christopher Columbus Lighthouse) is Cuba’s tallest lighthouse, located on the north coast of Cayo Sabinal its an omnipresent reminder of Spanish rule on the island of Cuba throughout the 19th century. The Columbus lighthouses focal length is 53 meters (174 feet). It employs a white light which flashes every 15 seconds. Next door to the lighthouse is the one storey light keeper’s dwelling.
The Punta Maternillos Faro Colon serves as an observation center that can still cover the entire Bahamas channel. Over the past +160 years it has played an important role in advising Captains who use the port of Nuevitas. Visitors can access the lighthouse by road and the whole area and tower is open for tourists.
Faro Colon is still a great tourist attraction and is still active. It is admired by Cubans and is one of the oldest lighthouses in Cuba. Take your camera to snap some shots of the views and the blue sea, for as far as the eyes can see. The views of the coastline are also spectacular.
There’s a local legend which claims that Punta de Maternillos is a place of immense buried treasures and great riches left by wayward pirates. The Columbus lighthouse (Faro Colon) was built in 1847 as observation post, the lighthouse beacon a savior for sailors passing through the treacherous Bahamas Channel on their way to Havana, Florida and Mexico. Further along the coast on Cayo Sabinal is the fortress of San Hilario that served as a fortified tower and barracks for Spanish artillery and troops, Built to defend against repeated pirate attacks in the 17th and 18th centuries, the fort kept marauding corsairs at bay. The San Hilario fort later became a prison and, in 1875 was used as a base for a brief uprising against the Spanish queen, Isabel II, in Cuba.
This whole day excursion from Hotels in Santa Lucia is a great history lesson. It provides a deeper understanding of Spanish rule on Cuba plus, there’s some impressive historic buildings and, of course, the beautiful Island of Sabinal in the Jardines del Rey Archipelago.
Bucanero Restaurant Playa Los Coquitos Santa Lucia
Even though you’re probably at an all-inclusive resort in Santa Lucia, there may be one night you fancy something different. The Bucanero Restaurant is located a short distance from the hotel area of Playa Santa Lucia at Playa Los Coquitos, about a 10-20 minute walk from the hotel zone. We like this restaurant because it serves fresh fish (local catch) along with the Cuban staples of Creole dishes, including delicious black beans and rice with either marinates chicken or pork. Most of the resorts along the Santa Lucia Coastline serve lobster rarely, if at all. At the Bucanero Restaurant you can order the succulent garlic butter adorned gigantic lobster for just 22 CUC.
There’s always a live trio playing and dancing salsa is a must. The ambience is truly authentic and its worth taking time-out from your resort for a nice meal at the Bucanero Restaurant in Playa Santa Lucia.
Phone: +53 (32) 365226
Opening Hours: 10am to 11pm
Seating: 80 people
Santa Lucia Beach Camaguey Cuba
Probably the singular reason vacationer’s visit Santa Lucia is of course it’s amazing 21km (13 miles) of beach. One of Cuba’s longest extensions of sand, it offers truly idyllic scenery and still-untouched beauty. The fine golden-white sand, bathed by warm turquoise waters is always calm due to the extensive reefs of the Jardines del Rey Archipelago which skirts the coastline along the Bahamas Channel, less than 1km from the Santa Lucia coastline. Harboring an astonishing variety of marine life, it has become a major attraction for those who enjoy snorkeling and diving in Cuba. Try to venture out from your hotel and stroll along its compacted sands, you’ll soon arrive at truly virgin territory and secluded coves, ready for you to explore on both land and sea.
The Santa Lucia beach in Cuba is packed with life; Coconut salesmen, authentic Cuban souvenirs dangling from rickety bicycles, hair braiding, palm leaf hats made while you watch…and more…
Tour from Santa Lucia to Cayo Sabinal
Taking an excursion from your All-Inclusive hotel in Playa Santa Lucia to Cayo Sabinal’s virgin beaches is like visiting another country. This virgin island is home to large colonies of Pink Flamingos who have made the island their home due to its abundant fauna and excellent feeding possibilities. Thousands of birds flock to the island in barren areas along the empty beaches while feeding in the saltwater lakes. Due to the virgin nature of Cayo Sabinal we urge visitors from Santa Lucia to take ample mosquito repellant when visiting Cayo Sabinal.
The excursion begins by collecting participants at their respective hotels show on our website. Collections begin at 8.am so please be at the reception of your hotel by then. The cost of the tour, sold at the below hotels is 40 CUC for adults and 19 CUC for children and includes lunch.
Setting off from the port of Santa Lucia Beach, the comfortable motor yacht offers ample room for all 24 people. Jetting across the blue Jardines del Rey waters you’ll be able to see flying fish and schools of wild dolphins.
After arrival at Cayo Sabinal you’ll be able to snorkel for an hour from the boat or walk to shore through the warm shallow waters. Once on shore, our guide will take you to the Fort San Hilario and Faro Colon, we then progress down the coast to the Flamingo and Iguana Sanctuaries. These majestic birds are unfazed by human presence, as they strut elegantly through the waters, feeding on tiny crustaceans and marine life. Nearby you’ll experience one of only a few Dolphin sanctuaries, seeing these beautiful mammals nursing their young and playing in the sea is an almost spiritual sensation and one you will never forget.
Returning to the boat we will head out to Cayo Ballenato, a tiny island and reef just off the coast of Cayo Sabinal, from which, you´ll be able to see the island in all its glory, including the majestic Columbus Lighthouse in the distance. Once again, this tiny island is home to several families of dolphins that can be observed while you eat lunch on the beach.
The tour departs back to the Playa Santa Lucia port at 4pm, arriving back by 5pm.
Advice concerning this Excursion from Playa Santa Lucia to Cayo Sabinal
- Use and take mosquito repellant
- Use and take sunscreen
- You don’t need water or drinks as these are included
- You don’t need lunch as this is included
- If taking any valuables, bring a ziplock bag as you’ll be wading through some shallow waters
- You don’t need snorkels or fins as these are supplied
You can book this excursion at the reception desk of your hotel. Click for more details about Cayo Sabinal
Hotel Costa Blanca Nuevitas near Playa Santa Lucia Cuba
If you are looking to visit Playa Santa Lucia but don’t need or want the all-inclusive experience, the 2 star Hotel Costa Blanca in the town of Nuevitas is a great choice. With rooms that cost less than half the all-inclusive rates of hotels close-by, you’ll be able to save money while exploring the same areas. Nuevitas is probably the best place to stay if you intend to drive to Cayo Sabinal or visit the city of Camaguey because it’s located half way between these locations and Playa Santa Lucia. All room rates shown at our reserve link below include breakfast to help you get started in the morning. The hotel has a small but nice pool and ample grounds to relax and just chill out fatre your day of exploring the area with your rent a car.
There are numerous paladares or private restaurants in this sleepy Cuban town so you won’t be short of options to eat. From Nuevitas you are 20km drive from Playa Santa Lucia, 30 minutes from Cayo Sabinal and around 40 minutes from Camaguey City Center.
This is a basic hotel but its clean and has a nice size swimming pool, the 2 star rates starting at just 20 USD per night its probably better (and cheaper) than a Casa Particular in the same area.
When you click “Click Reserve at Hotel Costa Blanca near Santa Lucia” you will be comparing rates and availability from all three possible sources:
- All major international suppliers of Hotel Costa Blanca near Santa Lucia
- The Cuban tourism ministry
- Direct with Hotel Costa Blanca near Santa Lucia itself
Our booking process is unique because it shows the best rate from all of these for Costa Blanca near Santa Lucia in Nuevitas and the types of rooms available. Our Hotel Costa Blanca in Nuevitas rate comparison is an industry first for Cuban Hotels.
Once you’ve compared the rates, finalizing the booking at Costa Blanca near Santa Lucia Hotel takes just seconds and an immediate confirmation is provided in real-time.
No Prepayment – No booking fees – No Charges
Hotel Cuatro Vientos Playa Santa Lucia Cuba
Hotel Cuatro Vientos Santa Lucia is a 4 star all-inclusive resort located on the pristine white sands of Playa Santa Lucia. This hotel shares installations with the Brisas Santa Lucia, the Cuatros Vientos name being used in several international markets and Brisas being used in others. However, the prices on our booking system can sometimes be advantageous when booking under the Cuatro Vientos name, when in fact you’ll be staying at the Brisas. We urge you to check each hotel when you click to reserve below to establish, if in fact, you’ll get a better rate with one or the other. There’s no fixed rule we can provide, so checking is the best route.
For further details about this hotel please visit Hotel Brisas Santa Lucia.
When you click “Click Reserve at Cuatro Vientos Santa Lucia Hotel” you will be comparing rates and availability from all three possible sources:
- All major international suppliers of Hotel Cuatro Vientos Santa Lucia
- The Cuban tourism ministry
- Direct with Hotel Cuatro Vientos Santa Lucia itself
Our booking process is unique because it shows the best rate from all of these for Cuatro Vientos Santa Lucia hotel in Playa Santa Lucia and the types of rooms available. Our Cuatro Vientos Santa Lucia Playa Santa Lucia rate comparison is an industry first for Cuban Hotels.
Once you’ve compared the rates, finalizing the booking at Cuatro Vientos Santa Lucia Hotel takes just seconds and an immediate confirmation is provided in real-time.
No Prepayment – No booking fees – No Charges
Hotel Gran Club Santa Lucia Cuba
Hotel Gran Club Santa Lucia all-inclusive offers a lot for the money. Its 3 star rating being totally superfluous based upon the hotels oceanfront location and excellent food options, including one a-la-carte fish restaurant perched on stilts over the sea. Having been totally rebuilt some years ago, Hotel Gran Club Santa Lucia has managed to keep up with the times due to this overall. Another great plus for this hotel is its ideally located 24 hour beach bar where revelers can congregate at all hours for a few drinks and laugh. With 252 rooms in total divided into 12 luxurious coral suites, 8 superior junior suites and 86 junior suites, the latter option gives you a 5 star size room for the cost of a nice meal at home.
The whole resort is a large scale affair, covering vast amounts of land and beach, giving guests a great feeling of privacy wherever they may be on the resort. The same attractions available to higher level hotels are available here. Snorkeling of the Jardines del Rey Barrier Reef or an exclusive sea excursion to Cayo Sabinal will spice up your stay and make your 3 star accommodation feel like a 5 star vacation.
When you click “Click Reserve at Gran Club Santa Lucia Hotel” you will be comparing rates and availability from all three possible sources:
- All major international suppliers of Hotel Gran Club Santa Lucia
- The Cuban tourism ministry
- Direct with Hotel Gran Club Santa Lucia itself
Our booking process is unique because it shows the best rate from all of these for Gran Club Santa Lucia hotel in Playa Santa Lucia and the types of rooms available. Our Gran Club Santa Lucia Playa Santa Lucia rate comparison is an industry first for Cuban Hotels.
Once you’ve compared the rates, finalizing the booking at Gran Club Santa Lucia Hotel takes just seconds and an immediate confirmation is provided in real-time.
No Prepayment – No booking fees – No Charges
Hotel Club Amigo Mayanabo Playa Santa Lucia Cuba
The beachfront location of Club Amigo Mayanabo Hotel in Santa Lucia is absolutely stunning. If we add to this prime location the fact that the hotel is just 1km from the world’s second largest barrier reef of Jardines del Rey and Cayo Sabinal’s exclusive virgin sands, you could say that Hotel Mayanabo has it all. As a 3 star all-inclusive, it’s probably the bargain of the century where beach resorts in Cuba are concerned.
In few three stars can you sample a la carte dining but you can here. For those days when you are looking for a more intimate dining experience than the buffet, you have this separate restaurant included in your rate. Bookings are required though. Club Amigo Mayanabo Santa Lucia has 225 rooms split into three buildings, all facing the terrific white beach and blue sea. With 4 bars onsite, you have your choice of drinking holes, the bar on the beach being the favorite at sunset.
When you click “Click Reserve at Club Amigo Mayanabo Santa Lucia Hotel” you will be comparing rates and availability from all three possible sources:
- All major international suppliers of Hotel Club Amigo Mayanabo Santa Lucia
- The Cuban tourism ministry
- Direct with Hotel Club Amigo Mayanabo Santa Lucia itself
Our booking process is unique because it shows the best rate from all of these for Club Amigo Mayanabo Santa Lucia hotel in Playa Santa Lucia and the types of rooms available. Our Club Amigo Mayanabo Santa Lucia Playa Santa Lucia rate comparison is an industry first for Cuban Hotels.
Once you’ve compared the rates, finalizing the booking at Club Amigo Mayanabo Santa Lucia Hotel takes just seconds and an immediate confirmation is provided in real-time.
No Prepayment – No booking fees – No Charges
Hotel Club Amigo Caracol Santa Lucia Cuba
Hotel Caracol is a 4 star hotel located on the white sands of Santa Lucia beach Cuba. An ideal all-inclusive beach resort for families, the Hotel Club Amigo Caracol guarantees hours of daily activities for young and old alike. With 150 comfortable bungalows, all surrounded by beautiful lush tropical gardens. The whole resort was designed in a novel style to resemble a large snail, its shape lending itself to easy access to all the resorts facilities.
Because you’re situated on the beach, the blend of beach and pool activities makes this hotel a big hit with those who prefer to spend time at both. Furthermore, Hotel Caracol Santa Lucia is just minutes from downtown shopping malls, coco beach and many other local attractions.
When you click “Click Reserve at Hotel Caracol Santa Lucia Hotel” you will be comparing rates and availability from all three possible sources:
- All major international suppliers of Hotel Caracol Santa Lucia
- The Cuban tourism ministry
- Direct with Hotel Club Amigo Caracol Santa Lucia itself
Our booking process is unique because it shows the best rate from all of these for Hotel Caracol Santa Lucia on Playa Santa Lucia and the types of rooms available. Our Hotel Caracol Santa Lucia in Playa Santa Lucia rate comparison is an industry first for Cuban Hotels.
Once you’ve compared the rates, finalizing the booking at Hotel Caracol Santa Lucia takes just seconds and an immediate confirmation is provided in real-time.
No Prepayment – No booking fees – No Charges
