7 Best Cayo Largo del Sur Resorts [2024 Guide]
The far-flung, white-sand island of Cayo Largo del Sur – often just Cayo Largo, for short – feels a world away from everything, and even the rest of Cuba. Nestled along Cuba’s Isla de la Juventud, it really is a world away, making it the perfect destination for the ultimate unplugged vacation on some of Cuba’s most beautiful beaches.
Despite its tiny size, there are eleven unique Cayo Largo del Sur resorts to choose from, ranging from sprawling mega-resorts to tiny properties dotted with villas and private beach houses – and many are getting better with recent or ongoing refurbishment. These are the best resorts in Cayo Largo del Sur to choose from for your next visit.
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Best Resorts in Cayo Largo del Sur
One unique feature of Cayo Largo del Sur is its exclusive management by Blue Diamond Resorts. While other cays in Cuba are home to resorts from a number of different hotel brands, the Canadian Blue Diamond Resorts brand operates all the resorts on the island and the island’s entire tourism industry.
Looking for our top picks for the best places to stay in Cayo Largo del Sur? These are the best Cayo Largo del Sur resorts for every type of traveler:
- Best Resort in Cayo Largo del Sur: Grand Memories Cayo Largo
- Best Adults-Only Resort in Cayo Largo del Sur: Sanctuary at Grand Memories Cayo Largo
- Best Family-Friendly Resort in Cayo Largo del Sur: Memories Cayo Largo
In addition to four larger resorts on Cayo Largo del Sur, there are also a number of smaller properties that offer villas and bungalows scattered around the island. These accommodations offer all the resort amenities you could ask for, plus even more seclusion.
Read More: Cayo Largo del Sur: Ultimate Traveler’s Guide
Cayo Largo del Sur Resorts
1. Grand Memories Cayo Largo
Best Resort in Cayo Largo del Sur
Long one of the best resorts in Cayo Largo del Sur, Grand Memories Cayo Largo easily earns the title of the best resort on the island and is among the best all inclusive resorts in Cuba. Immensely popular with return visitors, some of whom have been coming to the island every year for more than a decade, it recently completed a top-to-toe refurbishment and renovation and is better than ever.
Grand Memories Cayo Largo is a resort that families love, with amenities like a kids’ club and babysitting services, as well as plenty of family-friendly spaces throughout the resort, including a dedicated family pool. However, adults-only spaces across the property ensure that those seeking more peace and quiet can also find it; the resort is plenty popular with couples as well.
Reviews and Bookings: Grand Memories Cayo Largo
2. Sanctuary at Grand Memories Cayo Largo
Best Adults-Only Resort in Cayo Largo del Sur
Adjacent to Grand Memories Cayo Largo is the Sanctuary at Grand Memories Cayo Largo, an exclusive adults-only resort within a resort, and easily the best spot on the island for travelers looking for a totally child-free escape. The resort’s bungalow accommodations offer even more seclusion for visitors.
The resort’s regular return visitors know that the upgrade to Sanctuary at Grand Memories Cayo Largo is well worth it. A private pool and beach access, butler services, exclusive entertainment options, and dining options above and beyond what guests also have access to at the neighboring property make the experience that much better.
Reviews and Bookings: Sanctuary at Grand Memories Cayo Largo
3. Memories Cayo Largo
Best Family-Friendly Resort in Cayo Largo del Sur
For travelers looking to visit Cayo Largo del Sur with the family in tow, there’s nowhere better to stay than Grand Memories Cayo Largo or its neighboring Memories Cayo Largo, which both offer great amenities and activities for families, including a kids’ club.
Memories Cayo Largo offers a more budget-friendly experience than the larger Grand Memories Cayo Largo despite offering many of the same amenities, including several dining options, an incredible white sand beachfront, and a variety of watersports. Memories Cayo Largo‘s rooms and many of its common spaces were recently renovated and refreshed, making it better than ever.
Reviews and Bookings: Memories Cayo Largo
Travel Essential
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4. Starfish Cayo Largo
The 307-room Starfish Cayo Largo is one of the largest resorts in Cayo Largo del Sur and has long been one of the most popular. Popular with both families and couples alike, it offers adults-only and family-friendly swimming pools, five different restaurants, and additional benefits like a kids’ club and a beautiful beachfront.
Starfish Cayo Largo is one of the resorts in Cayo Largo that was recently renovated, making it now one of the nicest spots on the island. While it’s still a budget-friendly resort – no major luxuries here – it feels totally fresh and ready to welcome new guests to the destination that tons of repeat guests already know is something special.
Reviews and Bookings: Starfish Cayo Largo
5. Villa Marina
In addition to the four largest resorts on Cayo Largo del Sur, the island also has a number of villas and beach houses. Rather than independent properties, these are resort-like spaces offering all the amenities of a traditional resort but with the added privacy of standalone accommodations.
Villa Marina is one of the recently renovated villa resort properties on the island, offering 23 redesigned independent villas to choose from, many with waterfront locations and private balconies. Amenities include a private pool exclusive for Villa Marina guests, free wifi across the property, and all-inclusive meal plans. Families and welcome at Villa Marina.
Reviews and Bookings: Villa Marina
Travel Insurance
Cuba requires that all travelers have proof of a comprehensive travel insurance policy in order to enter the country. Check out our guide to travel insurance for Cuba for more details. We recommend these brands for Cuba travel insurance:
- Visitors Coverage: Coverage for Cuba travel available to citizens of all countries, though not currently available to residents of New York and Maryland in the United States.
- Insubuy: Coverage for Cuba travel available to citizens of all countries and states of the United States.
6. Villa Linda Mar
One of the larger villa-style resorts in Cayo Largo, Villa Linda Mar offers 53 Caribbean-inspired independent villas to choose from, surrounded by all the resort-style amenities visitors love. Three different restaurants, a private bar, and a large swimming pool are available on the property, which offers easy access to nearby things to do in town and the most beautiful beaches on Cayo Largo.
Villa Linda Mar is another one of the most recently renovated villa resorts in Cayo Largo del Sur, making it exceedingly popular with visitors looking to enjoy the added privacy of its independent villa accommodation style. It’s one of the most popular villa-style accommodation options on the island for families.
Reviews and Bookings: Villa Linda Mar
What to Pack for Cuba
Check out our Ultimate Cuba Packing List to help you pack for your trip – we’re sharing exactly what to bring to Cuba and what we never travel without.
7. Villa Caprice
With 100 bungalows perched along the sand near Cayo Largo del Sur’s hotel zone, Villa Caprice offers the island’s most popular adults-only villa-style accommodation on the island.
In comparison to some of the other villa-style accommodation options on the island, the larger Villa Caprice has much more to offer. Two different pools, four restaurants, and two bars mean that guests planning on a longer stay will have even more variety to enjoy. Recently renovated garden-view and ocean-view bungalows are cozy but comfortable and offer easy access to the rest of the resort’s amenities and beachfront.
Reviews and Bookings: Villa Caprice
Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Home to Havana and Explorers Away. She is a serial expat and traveler, having visited 40+ countries and counting. Carley has written for publications like Travel + Leisure, MSN, Associated Press, Weather Channel, Wealth of Geeks, and more. Find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.