Is Cuba calling your name? This popular Caribbean destination is filled with all-inclusive options which make for an ideal relaxing and fun getaway to escape the northern cold. Read on to discover the best resorts in Cayo Santa Maria and you’ll be packing in no time.
About Cayo Santa Maria
Cayo Santa Maria is a beautiful island/key off of Cuba’s north-central coast. The small (16km long, 2km wide) island is accessible by the Pedrapien, a 48km channel from the town of Caibarien. The island is famous for its soft white sand beaches, transparent blue-green waters, and the many all-inclusive resorts that dot the island’s coastline.
Although there are adult-only resorts on the island, there are also resorts suitable for families and solo travellers. In addition to the many resorts, Cayo Santa Maria also has pueblos (new towns) sprinkled around the island offering bars, restaurants, shopping and entertainment for visitors.
Don’t know what to bring on your vacation to Cuba? Read these top packing tips.
All-Inclusive Resorts in Cayo Santa Maria
Royalton Cayo Santa Maria
Best Cayo Santa Maria resort for: Luxurious experiences
Daily rates from: C$280
The Royalton Cayo Santa Maria is an all-inclusive, adults-only luxury resort, popular with travellers who love living large.
Rooms
The Junior Suites offer a choice of one king or two double beds with a sitting area, spacious bathroom with bathtub, writing desk, and a balcony or deck. You’ll also enjoy all the creature comforts such as air conditioning, ceiling fan, flatscreen TV, and a stocked minibar. For a step-up, the Royal Suite offers townhouse-style accommodation. The bottom floor is a living area featuring a deck with a hot tub for relaxing in the evenings. Upstairs, an elegant four-poster bed is the feature of the master bedroom, which includes a private ensuite and rain shower.
Amenities
To stay cool, take advantage of the hotel’s two freshwater pools or lounge on the spectacular beach – there’s even a beach bar. If you want to stay fit, play a game of tennis or head to the gym for a workout. Personal instructors are available at no extra charge, and their day spa is always there if you’re looking to treat yourself.
Dining
One of the best things about an all-inclusive resort is the food. At Royalton Cayo Santa Maria, you can choose from three à la carte restaurants and a daily beachside barbecue. Eggscellence is more than a clever play on words, it’s where you’ll find the freshest fruits, garden salads, and international cuisine from the overflowing buffet at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Senses is open for dinner only and a wise choice for authentic local dishes. Lastly, Sunset is the 24-hour eatery for your midnight hunger pangs. Like drinking? There are plenty of bars around the grounds for guests to choose from.
Melia Buenavista
Best Cayo Santa Maria resort for: Romantic beach getaways
Daily rates from: C$323
Melia Buenavista is another all-inclusive, adults-only Cayo Santa Maria resort that offers lots of luxury and direct beach access. The secluded space opened in December 2010 and features an array of amenities perfect for honeymooners and couples.
Rooms
Stylish suites here come with king beds, sitting rooms, and beautiful balconies. Get romantic with a bubble bath, a glass of champagne and a stroll along the beach, which is only steps away from your room. Each suite is equipped with a wall-mounted TV, desk, ceiling fan, air conditioning, safe, and minibar.
Amenities
Do a little or do a lot at this private beachfront all-inclusive resort. To keep you busy, there’s a fitness room with select classes, two pools, a day spa, free WiFi in common areas, and scooter rental. If you want to relax, grab a beachside hut with lounge chairs and spend the day gazing at the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. Need something? Just call your personal butler.
Dining
With three restaurants and four bars onsite, there’s no doubt you’ll stay well fed and hydrated during your time in paradise. Expect gourmet meals featuring a selection of Caribbean and international flavours, and fancy cocktails galore.
Hotel Playa Cayo Santa Maria
Best for: Families looking for a Cuban all-inclusive vacation
Daily rates from: C$499 per family of four
Hotel Playa Cayo Santa Maria is a 5-star, all-inclusive and family-friendly resort. This top resort in Cayo Santa Maria opened in December 2011 and offers an exciting all-inclusive vacation for families with kids of all ages.
Rooms
There are 793 rooms (standard and suites) at Playa Cayo Santa Maria, so expect to holiday with lots of other visitors. Standard rooms have a double bed or two singles, and suites generally have a king bed. All rooms offer tasteful decor, air conditioning, satellite TV, hairdryer, iron and board, telephone, tea and coffee, desk, and minibar. Ocean views are available.
Amenities
There’s a lot to love about Hotel Playa Cayo Santa Maria and something for all members of the family.
- Kids’ Club
- Childcare services
- Playground
- Mini golf
- 8 swimming pools
- Adult-only pools & kids pools
- Beach huts
- Beer garden & cigar bar
- Beauty salon
- Beachside beauty treatments
- Fitness centre
- Day spa (extra cost)
- Evening entertainment
- Lifeguards on beach
- Multilingual staff
Dining
There are five restaurants and five bars (plus beer garden) to enjoy buffets, à la carte meals, or snacks – nobody will go hungry here at this resort. The menus offer delicious flavours from around the world including Italian, Asian, and various seafood.
Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria
Best for: Adults looking for a relaxing vacation
Daily rates from: C$121
Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria is an award-winning space and one of the best resorts on Cayo Santa Maria. This adults-only retreat offers plenty of opportunity for a tranquil vacation in an island paradise.
Rooms
Junior suites at Sanctuary at Grand Memories Cayo Santa Maria offer a king or two double beds, ceiling fan, TV, USB/CD player, table and chairs for in-room dining, minibar, ensuite, iron, ironing board, coffee and tea facilities, personal safe, and hairdryer. Choose from a resort or garden view.
Amenities
At Sanctuary Grand Memories, you’ll love the 24-hour features such as front desk reception, room service, dining, and bars, especially since food and alcoholic drinks are included in the daily rate. The beautiful pool, tennis courts, sports activities, non-motorized water sports, and the nearby beach means you’ll always find something to do here.
Dining
On top of this Cayo Santa Maria resort’s 24-hour restaurants and bars onsite, there’s also nightly entertainment and live music. Flavours is the buffet restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can also enjoy four more restaurants at the other nearby resorts in the Memories brand. Smart casual dress code is in effect for all dining areas.
Getting to Cayo Santa Maria
The nearest airport to Cayo Santa Maria is Santa Clara Aeropuerto Abel Santamaria (SNU). SNU is a small international airport approximately 100 kilometres west of the island. Note that there aren’t any jet bridges at Aeropuerto Abel Santamaria; travellers must use mobile staircases and descend onto the tarmac before entering the airport. There are several flights each day with the most popular routes from Toronto, Montreal, Miami, and Milan. From Canada, look for cheap flights on Air Transat, Copa, WestJet, Sunwing, and Air Canada.
You’ll find direct flights to Cayo Santa Maria Airport from most major Canadian cities. Non-stop flights from Toronto take about three hours and 40 minutes. From there, head straight to your Cayo Santa Maria resort and let your beach vacation in paradise begin.
Getting to Your Cayo Santa Maria Resort
Transfers from the airport to Cayo Santa Maria are typically arranged by the resort. Expect a 90-minute commute by private van. About an hour into the road trip, you’ll enter the 48km causeway. Sit back and enjoy the views of clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea before arriving on the sandy key.
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