Who does not dream of a holiday relaxation on a paradise beach, with heavenly blue-turquoise water, with soft and pristine white sand, in full sun…. And still preferably without wild crowds and screen? We managed to reach such a place….
Cayo Jutias – through the ordeal to paradise
Just about 55 kilometers from Vinales is a paradisiacal peninsula (or small coral island as some claim) with the familiar name of Cayo Jutias. From Vinales, we head west to Highway 121 and then bounce north through the mountains on scenic winding roads.
Unfortunately, at the very end, just before the peninsula, we hit a terribly potholed road. Nevertheless, there is no other way. Looking at the map, it may seem that from Vinales we will first get north and then head west along the coast. However, this road was advised against by all the locals, and as they advised against it, it means that it is much worse there. If it is possible to drive at all :)
The peninsula itself is reached by an 8 km long causeway.
On Cayo Jutias itself you won’t find any accommodations (and very well!). There is only an old steel lighthouse and one restaurant, where by the way we can rent swimming and diving equipment.
A car, because that’s the best way to get there, can be parked at the end of the road (at the height of the restaurant). The cost is only $1 ;) It’s worth parking in the shade…. The heat here is usually incredible, and the weather is fine for most of the day.
The beach right next to the restaurants is beautiful. A bit commercial (deck chairs, umbrellas, bar, etc.), but worth the day trip and blissful rest.
However, it is worth heading further west along the shore on foot. First we will pass the washed out end of the road.
Then you will have to turn minimally towards the land to walk along an amazing path. Isn’t it a beautiful sight?
Later, we return to the shore and the further we venture, the more beautiful and wild beaches we see. Recommended!
Just watch out for jellyfish, which are virtually invisible and unfortunately found on the beaches in the area.
Us, unfortunately, they scared us away, and after resting in this area for a while, we returned to the beach near the restaurant, where the jellyfish were no longer there. And it was so beautiful there!
There are no crowds, although we liked a Cuban family relaxing on a pedal boat :)
One other minor comment. It’s a good idea to walk around the area with footwear. The little dried out algae tips (we think) can get pretty bad on footwear :)
All in all, we recommend everyone who is in the Vinales area to take a day (or at least half a day) for a blissful rest on Cayo Jutias. Because Cuba is also beautiful and wild beaches! Apparently it’s even nicer here than in Varadero, and certainly less commercial :)
We also recommend the photo gallery: