Beaches · Havana · Cuba
The best beaches in and near Havana
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Lukas Mathis, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
The best-known beach is Santa María del Mar (About 25 km east of Old Havana). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 3
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 30°C (86°F)
The beaches
About 25 km east of Old Havana · Swimming and a classic beach day
1.Santa María del Mar
The finest beach in Playas del Este, with white sand, clear water and a few hotels and beach bars.
About 30 km east of Old Havana · Local atmosphere
2.Guanabo
A local beach town with a long sandy shore, casas, cafés and a lively weekend atmosphere among Havana families.
About 18 km east of Old Havana · A quick escape from the city
3.Bacuranao
A small, sheltered cove that is the closest beach to Havana, quieter outside summer weekends.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 25°C (77°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| February | 25°C (77°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| March | 25°C (77°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| April | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| July | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| August | 30°C (86°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| September | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| October | 28°C (82°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| November | 27°C (81°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| December | 26°C (79°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for beach, families and budget
Playas del Este
A chain of beaches — Bacuranao, Tarará, Santa María del Mar, Boca Ciega and Guanabo — runs east of Havana. Santa María del Mar has the finest sand and a few hotels; Guanabo is a local town with casas and cafés. Habaneros pack the beaches on summer weekends.
- Good
- Real beach time near the capital; Local atmosphere at weekends; Cheaper casas in Guanabo
- Watch out
- 30–40 minutes by car from Old Havana; Limited services and dining
- Nearby
- Santa María del Mar, Guanabo, Cojímar
Getting to the beaches
- Car — Shared taxis (almendrones), often old American cars, run fixed routes along main avenues and pick up anyone flagging them down, for a low flat fare.
- Ferry — Small passenger ferries cross the harbour from Old Havana to Casablanca and Regla, a short and inexpensive ride.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in November–May. The busiest of those is December, so book early.
Beach safety
Violent crime against visitors is uncommon, but bag-snatching and pickpocketing occur in crowded areas, and touts promote fake cigars and overpriced restaurants. Watch for broken pavements and open drains, and carry a torch, as power cuts have been frequent in recent years. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Havana have beaches?
Yes: Santa María del Mar, Guanabo and Bacuranao.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Havana?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Havana?
Santa María del Mar: The finest beach in Playas del Este, with white sand, clear water and a few hotels and beach bars.