Cayo Coco

Ciego de Avila province is an agricultural paradise with its rich soil and plentiful water yielding enviable crops of citrus fruits, bananas and pineapples. Its traditions and culture are influenced by Spanish, Haitian and Jamaican immigrants.
Offshore, the tiny islands and keys of Jardines del Rey (the King's Gardens) constitute a tourist treasure. They are immortalized in Ernest Hemingway's novel, Islands in the Stream.

Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco (named after the white ibis, coco) ar covered by thickets of mangroves, palms, other forestation and gorgeous beaches.

Beaches
Cayo Coco has a 22-kilometre strip of beach and breathtaking coastline. La Jaula, Las Coloradas and Los Flamencos beaches are considered the best in the keys.

Cayo Guillermo's five kilometres of beach eagerly await visitors wanting to commune with nature. They can doze under the Royal palms, snorkel, swim and sunbathe.

Climate Cayo Coco has a warm climate with a rainy season from May to November. There is always an agreeable breeze in any zone of the archipelago.

Geography
The keys are in the agricultural province of Ciego de Avila, off Cuba's Atlantic coast, whose red clay soil is the most productive in the country. Today, a 27-kilometre causeway connects the mainland to the keys. Cayo Coyo is part of the Sabana-Camaguey Archipelago. There are 2517 keys and islets in the Jardines del Rey.

History Discovered by the Spaniards in 1513, the Cayos were named Jardines del Rey (the King's Garden) in honour of the reigning Ferdinand the Catholic. Later, many Spanish, Haitian and Jamaican immigrants came to work the land.

Nature Biosphere Reserve Buenavista Most islands are part of this reserve and display mangroves and everglades, flamingos and roseate spoonbills. There are over 200 birds species located here.

La Leche Lagoon This lagoon is famous for the sodium carbonate deposits that turn the water a milky white. The lake is a refuge for flamingos, snooks and tarpons. It is a popular fishing spot, and is often used for sailing regattas.

Unique to Here Redonda is a favorite place for largemouth bass fishermen. The average weight of the bass caught here is seven pounds, but some 1,500 largemouth bass weighing more than 10 pounds each have been caught here. The lake gained fame in the early 1980s when a group of American fishermen caught 5,078 bass in five days.

Airport :
Cayo Coco Airport Airport Tax : A departure tax of 25 Cuban convertible pesos per person is to be paid when leaving the country. Distance from Airport : 15 minutes Tourist Season : December through April Transportation Taxis and sometimes minibus are available. Budget travels by bus, in the popular destinations of the country, are also proposed by the Viazul Company.

Thousands of kilometres are to be discovered with a car, jeep or motorcycle rental. A moped ride along a winding path gets you up close and personal with the flora and fauna.

Activities & Sports
The islands are part of Cuba's northern coral reef, which yields spectacular snorkeling and diving. These keys provide a perfect backdrop for water sports such as boating, windsurfing and sailing.

For those who enjoy fishing you can access the International Center of Sports Fishing. You can head for Cayo Guillermo, favoured by Hemingway and see his boat, called the Pilar, docked in the waters.

Jeep safari tours will take you from your resort to La Redonda Lake for a boat tour where you'll visit a crocodile breeding farm, travel to the top of Cunagua Hill and go horseback riding.

Archaeology For archaeology buffs, the Moron Museum and the one-kilometre road to Jucaro, declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO, are important experiences.

Attractions & Sights Cayo Guillermo To the west of Cayo Coco boasts the highest sand dune in the Caribbean. Ernest Hemingway spent a great deal of time camping, fishing and boating on this key.

Turiguano Island This island has a lovely Dutch influenced village and is renowned for its cattle-raising. It is connected by a 23-kilometre road.

La Trocha Drive along this military route built in the 19th century. It stretches for 68 km with its fortifications, barbed wire and an ancient railway.

Other sites include the Diego Velazquez lighthouse in Paredon Grande and La Guira, a recreated charcoal maker's settlement.

Nightlife Most clubs are located in the hotels. Two recommended clubs outside of the resorts are:

Jabali Cave Enjoy a special night in a brightly decorated cave. Your evening includes a show, disco and four cocktails.

El Parador de San Francisco This club offers good food, music and dancing.

Side Trips Ciego de Avila Independence Avenue is the heart of the city, where attractions include the Principal Theatre, House of Culture, Raul Martinez Art Gallery, Jose Marti Park and San Eugenio de Palma church. Its architecture is defined by unique portals, arches, tiles roof and neoclassical columns. This region is known as the land of the pineapple.

Moron It is nicknamed the City of the Rooster because of the bronze statue of a rooster perched at the city's entrance. Developed by the sugar cane and cattle production, it features the Casa de Embarrado and the Casa de la Trova where you can enjoy local music.

Accommodations
A variety of excellent resorts, from the comfortable to the luxurious, line the beach. These are mostly sold under All Inclusive packages. Hotels on the mainland are available in Moron and in Ciego de Avila.

Eating Out Most restaurants are located in the hotels and resorts.

Shopping Cuban cigars, rum and coffee are the most popular souvenirs, followed by wood handicraft and congas. Cuban music recordings are a must as well.