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Jardines del Rey holidays
The Jardines del Rey (Garden of the King) is a stunning chain of islands off the northern coast of Cuba. It is one of the most incredible corners in the Caribbean with idyllic cayos (keys) of pearl-white sand and a sparkling calm sea. This archipelago is made up of 10 equally beautiful islets of white sand and crystal-clear waters, with the most popular ones being Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, and Cayo Santa Maria.
- Flight time
- 10h
- From London
- Currency
- CUP
- Cuban Peso
- Time zone
- GMT - 4h
Getting to Jardines del Rey
Geography of Jardines: Jardines del Rey is an archipelago off the northern coast of Cuba, in the northern parts of the provinces of Ciego de Avila and Camaguey and was named in 1513 by Spanish conquistadors to honour their king. Direct flights from the UK will generally fly into Havana Airport and then you can take an internal flight to Cayo Coco. Cayo Coco Airport is an international airport and there are indirect flight options from the UK via USA and Canada.
Average weather in Jardines del Rey
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Holidays in Jardines del Rey
While Jardines del Rey isn’t necessarily known for its crazy nightlife, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few spots that are great for a late-night adventure. Cayo Coco has most of the best bars in the area including Cueva de Jabali, the ‘party cave’ and Salsatek.
There is a wonderful range of Cuban cuisine and fresh seafood dishes available in restaurants in Jardines del Rey. Rancon Playa Flamenco, one of the top-rated restaurants in Cayo Coco, is a quaint restaurant with a relaxing atmosphere and friendly staff. With the beach on your doorstep, this is a lovely place to dine. Ranchon Cuba Libra is another excellent restaurant in Cayo Guillermo and offers a wide range of seafood, Cuban and Caribbean cuisine.
Gift shopping in Jardines del Rey might be restricted to the gift shops at your resorts which will have rum, coffee, t-shirts, hand-crafted jewellery and key chains. One of the nearest towns, Moron, is 60 km away on the mainland and offers a better choice of shops and markets.
Activities in Jardines del Rey
There are a plethora of things to do on a trip to Jardines del Rey; stunning stretches of shorelines, warm waters and plenty of watersports. Visit the Rocarena Climbing centre or test your skills during a kite surfing lesson or discover the natural wonders of El Baga Natural Park, there is so much to do with the whole family.
Watersports
Diving in Jardines del Rey
Jardines del Rey archipelago is a prime location for scuba diving and both beginners and experienced enthusiasts will love exploring the colourful marine life.
Coco Diving Center is one of the best scuba diving destinations in Cuba. Located on Cayo Guillermo, there is a lot of sea life including reef sharks and tropical fish.
Blue Coco Diving is another great place for those looking to explore the underwater world. The diving centre can be found at Hotel Pullman in Cayo Coco.
Windsurfing & kitesurfing in Jardines del Rey
Windsurfing and kitesurfing are some of the most popular activities you can try out while on holiday in Jardines del Rey. Head over to Cuba Kite on Cayo Coco, where you’ll be introduced to this adrenaline-pumping sport.
Kiteland Park Kite Training School, found on Cayo Guillermo, offers lessons for those new to the sport with helpful instructors and this is a great activity for everyone to get involved with.
Sailing in Jardines del Rey
Solways Cuba on Cayo Coco offers boat tours and watersports and it is a great way to explore the sea and the island. With spectacular views, and a chance to dip in the warm waters of the ocean, this is a fun activity for everyone.
A wonderful experience for families with younger children, the Glass Bottom Boat tours allow you to catch a glimpse of the underwater world without getting wet. You can choose to snorkel during this tour or stay dry relaxing on the boat.
If you are looking for a day out deep-sea fishing, head to Marina Gaviota on Cayo Coco and try your luck at catching some fish. They also offer full-day excursions, and you can explore the island.
Fishing in Jardines del Rey
If you walk to the end of Sol Cayo Coco Beach, you can try your luck and fish on your own near the footbridge, otherwise, Cayo Guillermo is the place in the region for boat fishing. There are multiple tours that offer fishing trips in Jardines del Rey.
Canoeing & kayaking in Jardines del Rey
Head to Playa Pillar Beach in Cayo Coco and while vague, on the left side there is a ‘hut’ with water equipment and your best bet for kayaks and other equipment. For those looking to partake in this activity should be aware that the waters are Pillar Beach are calmer than other water surrounding the island. You should also check with your resorts as some large hotels have kayaks to rent for the day.
Land activities
Golf in Jardines del Rey
While there are no golf courses in Jardines del Rey, there is an 18-hole 72 par golf course in Varadero. Varadero is located between Jardines del Rey and Havana.
Walking & hiking in Jardines del Rey
Cayo Coco, Guillermo and Paradon are very well-known birding areas with many guided hikes available. Cayo Coco is a dream for hikers – forest trails are well marked for some exploring and there are also horse trails that you can walk. Go towards Hotel Colonial and cross the street and follow a path and you will come to a horse stable. Don’t enter but turn right and follow the road that is parallel to the main road.
Cycling & mountain biking in Jardines del Rey
With a smooth terrain paired with scenic routes of the archipelago, it won't take long to fall in love with the natural beauty of Cuba. Whizz on two wheels through lush landscapes and platinum beaches, but don't forget plenty of water and sunblock in the scorching sunshine. Some popular cycling routes include the causeway connecting the islands to the mainland and fantastic trails around Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.
There are plenty of bike rental options available in some resorts abd rental shops in the area. It's notable to be cautious of local traffic conditions - very different from the British traffic.
