Organized Tours

All the hotels offer day trips to remote beaches, including the finest in the cays, Playa Pilar, as well as flamingo tours, jeep tours, and city tours by minibus to Morón, Trinidad, and Camagüey, or to Havana and Santiago by plane. Other options include sugar cane tours and visits to Sitio La Güira (a purpose-built dude ranch). Horseback treks and jeep safaris through the interior of the cays and to Morón are also available. A popular trip is to Laguna de la Leche, a massive lake on the outskirts of Morón with plenty of pelicans, flamingos, and other native birds. The lake's name comes from the water's murky, milky appearance (caused by limestone deposits). Another, much smaller lake that's worth a visit is Lago La Redonda, where you'll find thick mangroves, swamps, and funky woodlands growing out of the still waters. It's best seen by lancha (motorboat) tour leaving from the entrance of the little restaurant. On a cruise, you'll see huge spider webs, massive mounds of termites in trees, and thick Spanish moss. Both lakes are most often visited in combination with a city tour of Morón. Consult a tour operator representative from Havanatur, Cubatur, or Cubanacán in the lobby of any of the hotels for information and current prices.

One of the only true attractions here, aside from the beaches and nature, is the Parque Natural El Bagá (tel. 33/30-1062, ext. 103), an interesting little complex that features a series of nature trails and lookouts through mangroves and litoral forest, and on raised platforms over lagoons. There is also a small reconstruction of an ancient indigenous village, with periodic live shows of local actors engaged in re-creations of Taíno dances. (Parents, be forewarned: The women in the shows are topless.) A wonderful stretch of beach is also right here. Admission to the whole complex is CUC$25 (US$27/£14).