Cold Canadian Winters can have any of us dreaming of warmer weather and sunny days. Perhaps that's why so many Canadians head south for a stay on the sunny island of Cuba.
Cuba is a beautiful island country located in the tropics. It's a place where the weather is warm and the vibrant culture is bustling, making it a great place for a winter getaway.
If you're going to visit Cuba, you simply have to book a stay at the Playa Cayo Santa Maria. Here's what to know about this idyllic vacation spot.
Playa Cayo Santa Maria is a five-star, all-inclusive resort in Las Dunas, Cuba. The hotel caters to families, but is a great destination for couples and singles too.
The hotel's rooms are comfortable and spacious, coming with in-room amenities such as:
Cuba is a tropical island located in the Caribbean Sea. The island's climate is dry and mild during the dry season and rainy and humid during the wet season. The temperatures on the island hover at about 25ºC year-round.
While visiting the island you can expect to see a wide variety of animals, including the Cuban Treefrog, crocodiles, the hutia, and more exotic species. The island has a wide range of tropical plants, most of which are various types of palms.
Getting to Playa Cayo Santa Maria
Do we have you ready to pack your bags and book your flight? Here's what to know about getting to the Playa Cayo Santa Maria.
Location
The Playa Cayo Santa Maria is located in Las Dunas, Cuba. It's situated on the shores of the beautiful Cayo Santa Maria and offers sweeping views of the ocean from its property.
Transportation
The hotel is located 92km from the Santa Clara Airport. Don't let that scare you, however. The hotel offers a rental car service so that you can easily make your way to the hotel for your vacation.
Local Language and Culture
Cuban culture has Spanish and African influences. The island's atmosphere is bright, vibrant, and laid-back.
Festivals and carnivals are common in the nation, with a few favourites being the Fire Festival and the Cubadisco Festival. At these events, you can expect to hear Afro-Cuban genres of music such as rumba, son, cancion Cubana, danzon, and punto guarjira.
If you love to dance, you'll enjoy visiting this nation. Dance is a big part of the culture, with rumba, mambo, and cha-cha being the most popular styles.
Is It Beneficial to Know a Little Spanish?
The national language of Cuba is Spanish. However, if you're planning to stay at the Playa Cayo Santa Maria you won't necessarily need to learn Spanish to do so.
Plenty of Cubans are bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish. Plus, the staff at the resort speak English, Spanish, and French to make it easy for you to get around.
The Atmosphere at Playa Cayo Santa Maria
The Playa Cayo Santa Maria has a family-friendly atmosphere. It's a place where kids are welcomed and you'll find plenty of activities for the whole family.
It's also quite a modern hotel. The facilities have new equipment and are kept up-to-date, making the hotel feel comfortable and relaxing.
How Do People Rate the Service?
When staying at the Playa Cayo Santa Maria, guests state that the staff went above and beyond. The front desk staff received special shout-outs for offering 24-hour service and being extra attentive to guests' needs.
The cleaning crew also goes above and beyond, offering daily room service and keeping your room stocked at all times. If you need extra shampoo or other small items, the cleaning crew is happy to bring those by upon request.
Staff at the bar and in the dining rooms are also very attentive. They make sure that guests are having fun and are never empty-handed.
Hotel Amenities
There are tons of amazing amenities to take advantage of when you stay at the Playa Cayo Santa Maria. Here are some of the top amenities to know about.
Restaurants
Food is a big part of Cuban culture, and the hotel embraces this with its eight restaurants. Sit down to a meal on the beachfront at the hotel's international restaurant or enjoy swinging by the buffet.
If you want a la carte dining, there are plenty of options available on that front, too. Choose from tasty Asian cuisine, seafood, Italian dining, or international menus.
While staying at the hotel, we recommend checking out one of the international restaurants so that you can enjoy some classic Cuban fare! Make sure to order a plate of Yuca with mojo salsa, it's a local staple!
Bars
There are nine different bars at the Playa Cayo Santa Maria, each with its own different vibe. Choose from a swim-up bar by the pool, a wine bar, a cigar bar, a beer garden, a snack bar, a beach-front bar, or classic bars for hanging out!
No matter which bar you choose, you'll love the drinks on offer here. We recommend ordering a Cuba Libre, one of the island nation's classic drinks!
Beach and Pools
There are eight pools at Playa Cayo Santa Maria, which means you'll have plenty of places to hang out. The party pool is appropriate for kids and constantly has fun events going on.
One of the pools also has a swim-up bar where you'll be able to sip on your favourite drinks. Or you can head over to one of the hot tubs on the property to relax and unwind there.
Plus, the hotel is located on its own private beach. Head down to the waterfront to have some fun splashing in the ocean. There are tons of beach chairs for lounging or non-motorized watersports for you to enjoy.
Sports and Recreation
If you love sports, there's plenty to do at the Playa Cayo Santa Maria. Challenge your friends to a game of pool at the hotel's pool table or hit the tennis courts for some more active fun.
There's also a mini-golf course on-site. This is ideal for families with kids of all ages!
Nightly Entertainment
The fun never stops at the Playa Cayo Santa Maria! Every night the hotel offers a wide range of entertainment to keep the fun going and help make your vacation even better.
Enjoy live music shows that feature traditional Cuban music. Or, head to the nightclub and enjoy dancing your heart out all night long. The nightclub isn't appropriate for kids, however, so plan to head there once they're in bed.
There are also beach parties and pool parties that happen, so make sure you don't miss out on those, either.
Kids’ Club
If you're travelling with kids, the Kids' Club is the perfect place to hang out. The staff offers group games for kids as well as providing puzzles, toys, and art supplies for little ones to use. There's also a playground to enjoy!
Kids under age 11 are welcome to hang out at the club. Children younger than 4 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Other Services
If you want to find more activities, the hotel has plenty to offer. Additional services and entertainment at the hotel can be found for any type of vacation. These include:
Ping pong tables
Spanish lessons
Salsa dancing and lessons
Aerobics classes
Windsurfing
Canoeing
Catamaran
Non-motorized water sports
PADI scuba certification and dive lessons
Fitness facilities
Spa facilities
Excursions
Do you want to check out what Cuba has to offer apart from the resort? Here are some fantastic excursions to try.
Cayo Ensenachos
Cayo Ensenachos is a beautiful private cay, perfect for anyone who wants to get off the resort and enjoy the beach. This beach offers snorkelling activities and places for you to lounge and relax in the warm Cuban sunshine.
Swim With Dolphins
Have you always dreamed of swimming with dolphins? The Delfinario is located just a few minutes drive from the hotel and is an animal sanctuary where you have the opportunity to get in the water and interact with dolphins up close!
You'll have 20 minutes to play in the water with the dolphins. Afterwards, guests can enjoy a sea lion show to keep the fun going.
Remedios
Remedios is a town located near the hotel. If you're wanting to explore Cuba, this is a great way to get out and see more of what the country has to offer. In Remedios, the highlight is visiting the Sugar Museum or checking out the local nightclubs.
Scuba Diving
If you want to go scuba diving you can head a few minutes off the resort to the Marina Gaviota and plunge beneath the waves. There are several different types of diving experiences you can try, including day and night dives, deep dives, coral reef dives, shipwreck dives, and cave dives.
Is Playa Cayo Santa Maria Kid-Friendly or Adults Only?
Playa Cayo Santa Maria is a great place to visit if you have kids. The hotel has a family-friendly atmosphere, with plenty of activities for kids to get involved in.
On top of that, the hotel's Kids' Club allows parents to get some alone time. The staff does an excellent job looking after kids while their parents are enjoying time at the bar or other adult activities.
Is It Safe to Travel off the Resort Alone?
Solo travel can be a great experience. Anyone who's wanting to venture off the resort on their own will be pleased to know that this is considered fairly safe in Cuba.
If you do travel off the resort, it's best to let the front desk staff know when you plan to be back and where you're going. Even though Cuba is pretty safe for solo travel, it's best to be prepared.
Are There Extra Costs to Be Aware Of?
The Playa Cayo Santa Maria is an all-inclusive resort, but there are a few add-ons you can enjoy for an extra fee. These add-ons include:
Internet café
Conference and meeting rooms
Medical service
Gift shop
Car rental service
Spa and beauty services
Laundry services
Premium dining
Scuba diving
Best Time to Visit Playa Cayo Santa Maria
Because of its location in the tropics, Cuba has great weather year-round. However, in order to avoid hurricane season, it's best to visit between January and February.
If you want to avoid crowds, you can visit toward the end of the dry season, during March or April. Make sure not to stay any later than mid-April, however, as that's when the rainy season sets in.
Overall Reviews
Overall, guests give the Playa Cayo Santa Maria 4/5 rating. The hotel's cleanliness, service, value and location were all considered fantastic aspects of this hotel and great reasons to stay there.
Guests enjoyed the entertainment above all, rating the nightly entertainment as one of the highlights of the resort. They also gave shoutouts to the lobby staff and the hotel's safety protocols.
NAME
DETAILS
Star rating
4
Is it kid-friendly?
Yes
Is it safe to travel off the resort alone?
Yes
Best time to visit
January - February
What Are You Waiting For? Book Your Trip Today!
Are you ready to book a trip to the Playa Cayo Santa Maria? You'll be able to enjoy a vacation like no other at this incredible vacation spot!
Before you buy your tickets, make sure you get a travel insurance policy. Get in touch with Insurdinary to get the most affordable travel insurance quotes on the market.
