Paradise Found in Cuba: A Hidden Gem on Cayo Guillermo

When I think of the ocean, I picture those idyllic islands from the Bounty ads – turquoise waters, white sand, and a serene atmosphere. But in reality, the ocean's a lot more complicated and not always suitable for a dip. That was our experience in Cuba, where the Atlantic Ocean was so calm that for over a kilometer from the shore, it was only knee-deep and didn't get any deeper. Some might find that comfortable, but it's not exactly ideal for a swim – you can't even float or fully immerse yourself in the water. It was like a tranquil Pacific puddle...

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We were staying on Cayo Guillermo Island and the nearby beach saved the day when there wasn't a decent spot to swim near our hotel – it was just a short bus ride away.

That was the ocean near our hotel. It was pretty shallow and not ideal for a swimI'd heard of this beach ages ago – it's famous not only because Ernest Hemingway wrote 'The Old Man and the Sea' on its shores, but also because the beach's name comes from his yacht. Cubans are huge fans of Hemingway and have made him a cultural icon.

So, Playa Pilar's not just a famous beach – it's allegedly one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. And after visiting, I'd say I agree with that. Although these rankings are pretty subjective – how do you choose the world's most beautiful beaches?

Beach-hopping in Cuba is a given, so you'll find all the islands along the ocean coast. And Pilar Beach is a real showstopper – it's a stunning Caribbean stretch of sand that's spotlessly clean and breathtakingly beautiful.

The beach itself is pretty short, only a kilometer long, but we found it to be blissfully crowd-free when we visited. Unlike the chaos of Sochi, where it's hard to find a spot to lay your towel, Pilar Beach has plenty of space to spread out. We went on a weekday and a weekend, and I didn't notice any difference in the number of people. It was always peaceful and quiet.

There are plenty of taxi options at the bus stop. Prices are the same across the board.Atmospheric photos are a guarantee here. Pilar Beach is one of the most Instagrammable spots on the island, perfect for breathtaking photo shoots and stunning snaps.

To get to the beach, you can take the local bus. Cuba has a neat system where you can pay a fixed fee and ride the bus all day on the same ticket. However, the bus fare to Cayo Guillermo was a bit pricey – it was $5 per person. I'm not sure how much a taxi costs, as we didn't take one. If you want to splurge, there are taxis available at the bus stop before the beach.

One thing that caught me off guard was how infrequent the beach bus runs. If you want to spend the day swimming and avoid getting roasted in the sun waiting for the bus, you'll need to carefully check the schedule. The bus only runs a few times a day, and it's not super frequent – it's more like every hour and a half.

The bus itself is pretty authentic, though. It's a two-story bus with an open upper deck, so you can sit back and take in the views. And there's plenty to take in.

On the other hand, the other end of the route is a big shopping center. To be honest, I didn't find much of interest there, but you could definitely plan your day to avoid boredom. Take a break, grab some lunch, and head to the shopping center – and then back to the beach. But it's a bit of a hassle, and not exactly fun to ride in wet clothes, even in the heat.

Beach stopSince the island is small, there are some hotels within walking distance of the beach. For example, there's the Iberostar Playa Pilar and another smaller one that we always drove past. However, there are only a few of these hotels, and even a short walk in the hot Cuban sun can be a bit of a chore. I mean, it's not exactly pleasant to walk on the scorching pavement and get an extra dose of heat. All in all, it's possible that some people might choose to stay at a hotel near the Playa Pilar, but there are only one or two of them.

But what really ruins the view is the construction going on in the background. When you turn your head to the right while soaking up the peacefulness and surrealness of being in the ocean, you can't help but be distracted by these urban blights. Knowing Cuba, this construction might be going on for decades, not just years.

However, the beauty of the water, its transparency, and that incredible turquoise color, the whiteness of the sand, the seagulls' cries, and the vibe you get here – it's all worth it, even if you can't visit every day like we did. Playa Pilar is a cult spot, and you might not find nature like this even after traveling halfway around the world.

Talking about swimming is unnecessary because it's more comfortable here than in the most equipped pool: the fish are super small and rare, the bottom is sandy with no surprises, the ocean is clean despite the constant crowd on the beach, and I didn't see any food or plastic waste in the water. Swimming here is extremely safe, which means you can relax and let your kids play while keeping an eye on them – after all, this ocean is far from the Indian Ocean.

Of course, infrastructure is crucial for any beach, making it a beach rather than a random spot people chose for swimming.

As we pull up to the beach, you'll see a wooden walkway that takes you from the bus stop and parking to the actual swimming areas. It's a decent length, giving you time to stop, take in your surroundings, and appreciate the beauty around you. It's also a great opportunity to thank the universe for creating such a stunning spot.

You can either spread out on your towel, which you brought along, or rent a beach lounger. I don't remember the exact cost, but it's not cheap – it's a full-day rental, and you'll have a canopy for shade. Since there aren't any trees or natural foliage on the beach, it's worth splurging on a lounger if you plan to spend the whole day here.The beach lounger vendors are super chill, though. If you don't want to pay, you can just chill on the sand, and they won't bother you. In fact, most people were just claiming their own spots without renting loungers.

The beach bar has a few options, but the selection is pretty limited. You can always find beer or cold lemonade, though. Prices aren't outrageous, considering the Cuban vibe where they try to squeeze every last penny out of tourists like they're living their last day. But the bar and restaurant were always packed, so good luck finding a seat.There are plenty of surfboards, snorkeling gear, and other water sports to keep you entertained. They even offer guided tours to a tiny island, but we heard mixed reviews from people who've been, so we skipped it. The beach is always bustling with boats, yachts, and water taxis, but they don't bother swimmers.The shower cabin on the beach is a major plus. It's a bit worn out, but it's there and it's free – a lifesaver after a long day in the sun.One of the standout features is how clean the beach is. They keep it spotless, no seaweed, no trash, just pure relaxation.

I'd highly recommend visiting Pilar Beach – the other beaches in Cuba just can't compare to this one. The water is crystal-clear, you can see your feet, and it's home to some of the safest swimming conditions I've ever experienced. The ocean is calm, the sand is fine, and the air is thick with the salty scent of the sea.

The beach itself is pretty short, only a kilometer long, but it's blissfully crowd-free when you visit. Unlike the chaos of Sochi, where it's hard to find a spot to lay your towel, Pilar Beach has plenty of space to spread out. We went on a weekday and a weekend, and I didn't notice any difference in the number of people. It was always peaceful and quiet.

One thing that caught me off guard was how infrequent the beach bus runs. If you want to spend the day swimming and avoid getting roasted in the sun waiting for the bus, you'll need to carefully check the schedule. The bus only runs a few times a day, and it's not super frequent – it's more like every hour and a half.

Of course, infrastructure is crucial for any beach, making it a beach rather than a random spot people chose for swimming.

As we pull up to the beach, you'll see a wooden walkway that takes you from the bus stop and parking to the actual swimming areas. It's a decent length, giving you time to stop, take in your surroundings, and appreciate the beauty around you. It's also a great opportunity to thank the universe for creating such a stunning spot.

Atmospheric photos are a guarantee here. Pilar Beach is one of the most Instagrammable spots on the island, perfect for breathtaking photo shoots and stunning snaps.

The beach bar has a few options, but the selection is pretty limited. You can always find beer or cold lemonade, though. Prices aren't outrageous, considering the Cuban vibe where they try to squeeze every last penny out of tourists like they're living their last day. But the bar and restaurant were always packed, so good luck finding a seat.

The beach lounger vendors are super chill, though. If you don't want to pay, you can just chill on the sand, and they won't bother you. In fact, most people were just claiming their own spots without renting loungers.

There are plenty of surfboards, snorkeling gear, and other water sports to keep you entertained. They even offer guided tours to a tiny island, but we heard mixed reviews from people who've been, so we skipped it.

The shower cabin on the beach is a major plus. It's a bit worn out, but it's there and it's free – a lifesaver after a long day in the sun.

One of the standout features is how clean the beach is. They keep it spotless, no seaweed, no trash, just pure relaxation.

I'd highly recommend visiting Pilar Beach – the other beaches in Cuba just can't compare to this one. The water is crystal-clear, you can see your feet, and it's home to some of the safest swimming conditions I've ever experienced.

The blistering sun at Playa Pilar is no joke. You'll need to pack a ton of sunscreen or risk a nasty sunburn and peeling skin. Not exactly the relaxing vacation you had in mind.

So, to all the travelers out there, I highly recommend checking out Playa Pilar – it's definitely worth a visit!