10 Best Resorts in Cuba: Ultimate Cuban Resorts Guide [2024]

Home to some of the most beautiful and untouched beaches in the Caribbean, Cuba is a Caribbean island beach destination like no other. While neighboring islands tend to be overbuilt and overcrowded, Cuba offers an incredibly refreshing, laid-back resort experience you’ll never forget.

Looking for the best resorts in Cuba for your ultimate beach getaway? These are our top picks among Cuba resorts, plus all the local tips and tricks you need to find and book the best Cuban resorts along the most beautiful beaches on the island.

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Best Resorts in Cuba

As you consider the best places to visit in Cuba for your resort stay, you’ll likely be looking at a few key beach destinations on the island. Varadero, just two hours west of Havana, is a popular, easily accessible spot that is Cuba’s most famous resort town and home to one of the best beaches in the world. For many travelers, it’s the best option for Cuban resorts.

Alternatively, Holguin in eastern Cuba has incredible beaches and beautiful resorts. Off the coast of Cuba, islands like Cayo Largo del Sur, Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Coco, and Cayo Guillermo have pristine beaches and the best Cuba resorts you’re dreaming of.

These are the best resorts in Cuba for every type of Cuban beach getaway:

• Best Luxury Beach Resort in Cuba: Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski
• Best All-Inclusive Resort in Cuba: Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa
• Best Family-Friendly Resort in Cuba: Paradisus Los Cayos
• Best Resort in the Northern Cays of Cuba: Royalton Cayo Santa Maria

Looking for a “city resort” getaway in Havana? While Havana is home to a few true resorts, they’re really nothing special. Resorts in Havana are located on the outskirts of the city and offer neither a great beachfront nor good proximity to the best things to do in Havana. None make this list of the best Cuba resorts.

Cuba Resorts

1. Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski

Best Luxury Beach Resort in Cuba

$$$ | Cayo Guillermo

The white sands of the world-famous Playa Pilar on Cayo Guillermo are home to Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski, our top pick among the most luxurious resorts in Cuba. What makes this all-inclusive beach resort in Cuba so special? It’s home to the island’s only overwater bungalows!

The resort’s seven overwater bungalows are truly luxe on a level it’s hard to find elsewhere in Cuba, with sparkling plunge pools and direct water access. However, even if you stay in one of the 222 “standard” rooms or suites at the Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski, you’ll be impressed with their lovely and luxe yet cozy furnishings and beautiful ocean views.

The resort is home to four restaurants, bars, and lounges, as well as a beautiful spa and wellness center with an impressive menu of services, and is complete with a sauna and steam room.

Reviews and Bookings: Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski

2. Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa

Best All-Inclusive Resort in Varadero

$$ – $$$ | Varadero | All Inclusive | Adults-Only

Of the many Cuba resorts to choose from in the island nation’s resort town par excellence of Varadero, the Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa is by far our top recommendation. This impressive adults-only, all-inclusive Cuban resort has endless amenities with a golf course, eight restaurants, a spa, and beautiful, expansive grounds where guests will discover a number of pools, beach bars, and places to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of Varadero.

Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa is perched on a pristine section of the Varadero beachfront, truly too beautiful to describe, and offers watersports and activities that will keep adventurous travelers busy for days. Overall, this stunning resort is the cream of the crop among Varadero resorts!

Reviews and Bookings: Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa

3. Paradisus Los Cayos

Best Family-Friendly Resort in Cuba

$$ | Cayo Santa Maria | All Inclusive

Our top choice among the best Cuba resorts for a family-friendly getaway is Paradisus Los Cayos, located along the beautiful beaches of Cayo Santa Maria in Cuba’s northern cays. A fantastic kids’ club and plenty of spaces around the resort that are dedicated families are highlights. Calm waters on the beach and the extensive choices of food and activities really help it cater to families with kids of all ages.

Even if you’re not traveling to Cuba with the whole family, you’ll love Paradisus Los Cayos with its numerous restaurants, bars, lounges, and beautiful beachfront. The resort also offers excellent options for upgrades in club rooms, which include private outdoor space and swim-out pools on the lower level.

While Cayo Santa Maria is a fantastic choice for a laidback, easygoing travel experience in Cuba trip, if it’s too far for you to travel (especially with kids in tow!), head to super-accessible Varadero and stay at Iberostar Selection Varadero instead. It’s another one of our top picks among family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in Cuba.

Reviews and Bookings: Paradisus Los Cayos

4. Royalton Cayo Santa Maria

Best Resort in the Northern Cays of Cuba

$$ – $$$ | Cayo Santa Maria | All Inclusive | Adults-Only

The Royalton Cayo Santa Maria was awarded by TripAdvisor as the number one all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean in 2023, and it’s easy to see why. This stunning resort, nestled among the white sands of largely untouched Cayo Santa Maria, offers an incredible mix of resort amenities and impeccable service while allowing travelers the chance to bask in one of the most beautiful destinations in the country.

With just 122 rooms, the Royalton Cayo Santa Maria feels almost like a boutique resort, especially in comparison to its overwhelmingly large neighbors on islands like Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo. Here, visitors will enjoy a retreat, not a circus.

Service throughout this award-winning Cuba resort is personalized and friendly, and despite the resort’s smaller size, the amenities are amazing. Guests can enjoy multiple swimming pools, a pristine, sandy beachfront with great options for watersports, and one of the best spas in the cays of Cuba.

Reviews and Bookings: Royalton Cayo Santa Maria

5. Meliá Buenavista

$$ – $$$ | Cayo Santa Maria | All Inclusive | Adults-Only

Yet another one of the most beautiful resorts in the increasingly popular destination of Cayo Santa Maria is the Meliá Buenavista. Nestled between a white sand beach and the tiny cay’s pristine natural forests, this dreamy resort makes enjoying one of Cuba’s most beautiful beach destinations a breeze.

This 108-room resort offers exceptional dining and has particularly great snorkeling, with beach areas that are protected and reefs fanning out right in front of the resort. Upgrade your stay to The Level for access to numerous additional amenities, and choose from a number of room configurations and even private villas for added privacy and convenience for parties of all sizes.

Reviews and Bookings: Meliá Buenavista

6. Paradisus Río de Oro Resort & Spa

$$$ | Guardalavaca – Holguin | All Inclusive | Adults-Only

Paradisus Río de Oro Resort & Spa is an adult-only, all-inclusive Cuban resort located along the sands of Playa Esmeralda, one of the nicest beaches in Cuba. Incredibly tranquil waters and pristine white sand make it the perfect destination for a beach vacation, though the amenities and attention to detail make it one of the top choices on our Cuba resorts list.

This beautiful beach resort is known for having delicious food, a great spa, and a beautiful pool, with several lounges and restaurants around the grounds of the resort. Watersports like kayaking, kitesurfing, and even the resort’s catamaran are all part of the all-inclusive resort package, which makes for even more fun at the beach.

Paradisus Río de Oro Resort & Spa is located in Holguin, an eastern province of the country that has some of the most impressive beaches on the island. Holguin’s international airport makes for easy transport, making this one of the easier-to-reach beach resorts on the western part of the island, especially if you have additional destinations on your Cuba itinerary.

Reviews and Bookings: Paradisus Río de Oro Resort & Spa

7. Iberostar Selection Ensenachos

$$ | Cayo Ensenachos | All Inclusive

Tucked away alongside the larger and more well-known Cayo Santa Maria is Cayo Ensenachos, home to little more than Iberostar Selection Ensenachos. Its secluded spot on a lesser-visited cay lends the resort an almost private island feel, while direct access to two of the island’s best beaches means guests can enjoy some of the most beautiful beachfronts in the Caribbean.

This impressive beach resort has great installations, including a number of restaurants and lounges, beach bars, and entertainment options, including plenty to do for visitors of all ages. The staff is friendly and exceedingly helpful. While some of the areas of the resort could use some stylistic updates, Iberostar Selection Ensenachos is both perfectly comfortable and luxurious, making for a memorable beach vacation.

Reviews and Bookings: Iberostar Selection Ensenachos

8. Gran Marena Cayo Coco

$$ – $$$ | Cayo Coco | All Inclusive

New, modern construction, beautiful furnishings, and delicious food make the Gran Marena Cayo Coco (formerly the Pullman Cayo Coco Hotel) stand out among the best resorts in Cayo Coco, and earn it a spot on our list of the best resorts in Cuba.

This 518-room resort is large yet maintains plenty of open space across its ample grounds, meaning that even at full capacity, it doesn’t feel overwhelming or crowded, but like a welcome retreat. With 8 restaurants, 10 bars, and even 7 different pools, you’ll need a return visit just to experience everything this hotel has to offer. The highlight is the direct access to two distinct beaches, considered among the best in Cayo Coco, with unlimited watersports options for guests.

Reviews and Bookings: Gran Marena Cayo Coco

9. Iberostar Selection Varadero

$$ – $$$ | Varadero | All Inclusive

Long a favorite destination among travelers headed for the ultimate resort vacation in Varadero, Iberostar Selection Varadero is among the best resorts in Varadero, home to its own pristine slice of beachfront with plenty of amenities and great service to match. Excellent service, great food, tons of activities, and a great spa make this one of the best Cuba resorts to consider.

While our top recommendation for the best resort in Varadero is the adults-only resort Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa, the Iberostar Selection Varadero is by far the best choice in Varadero for families, given the resort’s dedicated kids’ club and excellent programming for children and teens. Don’t count this place out if you’re looking for a romantic, adults-only getaway – there is plenty to do for adults, and dedicated adults-only spaces, as well.

Reviews and Bookings: Iberostar Selection Varadero

10. Iberostar Selection Holguin

$$$ | Playa Pesquero – Holguin | All Inclusive

Nestled between the white sand beaches of Playa Estero and Playa Pequero – both among the most pristine beaches on the island of Cuba – Iberostar Selection Holguin invites guests to experience one of Cuba’s most magnificent destinations while enjoying resort installations that anyone would love.

Updated, modern furnishings give a breezy Caribbean vibe to the entire resort, while the expansive beach and exterior spaces, including a massive pool deck with plenty of loungers and sun beds, invite unending relaxation. The resort also offers dedicated kid-friendly areas and adult areas, making the resort a great choice for a multigenerational vacation.

Fly directly into the international airport in Holguin or take a connecting flight from Havana that lasts just over an hour, and you’ll be on the beach in no time.

Reviews and Bookings: Iberostar Selection Holguin

Cuban Resorts

Can Americans Go To Resorts in Cuba?

Many American travelers are surprised to learn that traveling to Cuba from the United States is not really that complicated and doesn’t require that travelers apply for a visa or special permission ahead of time. However, American travelers are not allowed to stay at hotels and resorts in Cuba that are fully or partially owned by the Cuban government.

Unfortunately, ALL the resorts in Cuba on this list are off-limits to American travelers – almost every large beach resort in Cuba is, as the Cuban government closely controls major tourist development of this kind.

We recommend that travelers look for smaller, independently-owned beachside hotels as an alternative – Varadero and the town of Guardalavaca in the province of Holguin have plenty! – though you’ll find options all over Cuba.

For a full summary of hotels that American travelers should avoid while traveling in Cuba, check out the U.S. Department of State website for an updated list.

Read More: Legal Travel To Cuba Guide for American Citizens

Are Cubans Allowed to Stay in Resorts?

Yes, Cubans are allowed to stay at resorts in Cuba. This wasn’t always the case, however. For many years after the Cuban Revolution, Cuban citizens were not allowed to stay at many of the country’s biggest and most important hotels and resorts, which catered exclusively to tourists.

Now, you’ll find plenty of Cubans and Cubans living abroad who stay at hotels and resorts across the country.