Our Island In The Sun

  I have put together a few photographs that I would like to share with any of my aquantances who would care to view them.I've put a description of the little island in Cuba that we vacation at most years.

Just click on "Cayo Largo 2004"etc..When you click a new window will open up.  It makes its easier to keep track of where you are.  I will be adding other photographs from time to time.  I hope you enjoy them.

Yes there is really a Caribbean island that is unspoiled, romantic, idyllic, casino free.My wife Karen and I have been vacationing there since 1990.   It is relatively inexpensive and easy to visit.  Known for many years to my wife and I as our Cuban Paradise Island.  This  tiny island doesn't initially strike the visitor as beautiful. Vegetation is sparse,since little besides mangroves, stunted palms and cactus can grow in the arid limestone soil, and the island is absolutely flat. ONE of the great joys of traveling to Cayo Largo in winter is being able to shovel out of Toronto snow in the morning, and be on the beach that afternoon in Cayo Largo.  Cayo Largo's chief attraction is its more than 30 km of beaches -- miles and miles of pristine, powdery soft white sand, and warm, crystal-clear blue water

Located south of central Cuba and about 180 km from Havana, Cayo Largo del Sur is a tiny island that has been developed by the Cuban government for international tourism.  In Cayo Largo you are likely to meet Germans, Italians, British, and other Canadians during your beach walks.  Once I met six Irishmen sitting up to the bar in Sol Club.  I asked them what they were doing in Cayo Largo and they told me that they were there on a special  mission to examine religious artifacts and visit the different churches in Cuba before Fidel Castro passed away!!  I didn't know whether to laugh or not LOL, because they were all feeling no pain for about three days.  I think they may not have known where they were.
 
There are several complexes that were developed over the years on the island. Sol club which is owned by the Sol Melia Group from Spain, The Pelicano, which is owned by the Sol Melia group also.  Villa Coral, Villa Capricho (destroyed by hurricane Michelle in 2001) , Isla Del Sur,Villa Iguana (destroyed by hurricane Michelle 2001) , Villa Soledad, and Villa Lindamar which are owned by the Grand Caribe Group.  There is also a new hotel in the last two years called the Barcelo and is owned by a Spanish hotel group as well.  All of these provide accommodation ranging from beach Chalets to hotel rooms in low-rise buildings.  The Pelicano is a series of three story buildings, dominated by a six story viewing tower.  The grounds are dotted with large cement sculptures on its landscaped lawns.  Two wooden walkways with steps lead to a beach that brings to mind the uninhabited shores first seen by Christopher Columbus or maybe the mythical Robinson Crusoe.  It is a wonderful place to swim out the front of this hotel.The stunning colored aqua blue water  is neither too warm nor too cold.
 
From any of these hotels you can get excursions to the neighbouring keys, such as Cayo Rico or Iguana, Cayo Cantiles or Alcatraces or you can choose other places in Cuba such as Havana, Pinar del Rio or Isla de la Juventud.There are also twenty different diving sites around the island  No one lives on the island on a permanent basis not even the Cuban workers.The workers live in the village near the Marina in low-rise apartments and work for 20 days straight,and then  they have 10 days off with their families who live on the big island of Cuba but also some of them live on the Isla de la Juventud which is in the same chain of islands (Los Canarreos archipelago) as Cayo Largo but much bigger of course than Cayo Largo.

Of the six complexes on the island the biggest and I will say the more sophisticated is Sol Club which is as I said owned by Sol Melia the Spanish hotel chain. The Pelicano hotel is also owned by Sol Melia.  I prefer if possible to stay at Lindamar which is one of the six still left standing after the hurricane damage in 2001.   The other hotels are Soledad, Coral, Isla Del Sur, Barcelo.All of these are basic but spotlessly clean.  Staying at Lindamar suits Karen and I much better as we have a great view of the ocean and usually we have a small hut with a patio which is wonderful for watching the sunrise or getting a good tan or gazing out at a sea of enchanting colors .  What ever hotel we stay at most afternoons we spend on the beach under our palapa as we watch on a lot of occasions, overhead,  three or four brown pelicans usually diving and soaring in search of their afternoon snack.  Sometimes in the mellow late afternoon sun, when the sea is calm  we will bob and swim in the gentle waves for the afternoon or on occasion when the sea is rough and the waves are crashing in we will frolic in the surf (yes we still frolic). 
  In past years you used to be able to  eat or drink at any one of these hotels, this was a marvelous idea and one that kept us coming back year after year since 1990.  But alas all good things come to an end and they changed all that two years ago. We still love it here on the island even though it has changed.  Right now it is just all-inclusive at your own hotel. Also the Lindamar is no longer available to Canadian guests.  It is now strictly for the Italian market.  This disappoints me but I will have to accept it.    At all hotels the food is basic but tasty and plentiful.  Chicken and pork and fish are the usual fare and the salads are plentiful and fresh.  We have stayed at most of the hotels and enjoyed them.  But Lindamar is our favorite as it is closest to the ocean with a million dollar view.  I will add though that the food at the Sol Club is the best on the island, but only by a small margin. Food presentation is better at Sol Club and the quality of the food is a little better.  You are paying a premium for this.  So the choice is really yours.

A must see for an afternoon or morning trip is a very beautiful beach called Playa Sirena and close by to it is Playa Paraiso.At these two beaches you can enjoy snorkeling,swimming and canoeing.At Sirena there is a bar and restuarant that serves lobster, fish,or burgers and fries, at additional cost to yourself of course.  If you are staying with the Barcelo group you can have free alcoholic drinks beer etc. here at Sirena, or if you know somebody LOL.

 On a lot of the beaches in Cayo Largo clothing is optional.  Naturism or nudism is practiced due to the influence of the many Europeans who vacation on the island. Another great benefit of the island is there no beach vendors trying to sell you there wares.  We never tire of this little island.  The tourist population changes from year-to-year.  This year there is a big Italian influx because of the strength of the euro.  The French Canadians have constantly kept this particular destination afloat.  Out of Toronto this destination is hit and miss on most years.  In the last two to three years it has been available out of Toronto on a regular basis from November until April or May.  But the most laurels should go to the French Canadians for keeping this destination alive over the years.

Cheers.

A happy Canuck.