Toward the south of the western region of Cuba, cays, islets and islands are seen above. They belong to the insular group of Los Canarreos Archipelago and among them Cayo Largo is found.

That image of the dreamed small Caribbean island surrounded by endless sandy beaches, very white in contrast with a turquoise sea, fully corresponds to Cayo Largo, the prototype of the tropical paradise made true. Out of 4,195 cays and islands forming the great Cuban archipelago are 672 that belong to Los Canarreos, that are grouped also in smaller cays. The Jardines and Jardinillos extend over 148 km, 111 cays are found, lined from east to west, following the direction of the great ocean currents that have been depositing the sand. These are rocky cays formed by long and narrow islets whose tips are hook-shaped. They are in essence barriers that have emerged from the sea bottom for the accumulation of coral detritus and sand deposited by the wind and waves and then cemented by calcium carbonate on older lime structures, lined up, according to orogeny. Cayo Largo extends over 24 km, measured from Punta del Mal Tiempo (Bad Weather Tip) and its Punta Este (East Tip). The entire south coastal line exhibits a high and splendid beach of white oolitic sand, i.e.,made of lime stones resembling fish eggs especially formed with the characteristic that when you walk on it, you never have the sensation of burned feet, it could be said that this is an ever-fresh sand. This large set of islands was a convenient scenario for piracy practice. They served as a secured shelter for the bandits of the sea for their coves, beaches, tips, rocks, reef. In brief, suitable spots to watch, surprise, attack and escape. Alexander von Humboldt, the German scholar, traveled the whole Cuban island in 1801, doing significant research works on botany and zoology, then explored the cays, thinking that these small coral islands should have "as a foundation some primitive or volcanic rock joined to them at a low depth." And he was right.

Nature and Rest Cayo Largo's nature is still largely preserved. The island offers unspoiled beaches, a good hotel infrastructure and certain feeling of seclusion, a good reason to enjoy without stress. A permanent settlement of population never existed in this resort, except for the Cuban workers at your service who now have started to be socially organized in a small village with its school and tavern. Genuine reserves for wild nature have become the cays for being so far-away and secluded. Turtles and iguanas have found here their shelter and entire groups of pelicans, seagulls and herons populate the area. Some beaches located on the West are used by turtles to lay their eggs. The vegetation is formed by mangroves, coastal mate and beach purslane. The beach area does not exhibit large tropical palm trees, but dunes, covered by a thick vegetation area, are found in the interior lands. A splendid excursion is to set out North and approach Cayo Iguana, a small island only inhabited by iguanas. After a short while of the landing and at a few steps inside, animals are immediately seen and you can get closer. Walking slowly, you may be surrounded by a dozen reptiles as if you were in the midst of a cute Jurassic Park. The iguana fixes its sight on you, blinks and leaves dragging its long tail of great lizard, looking for a shade under a shrub, if you move slowly, good photos can be taken. Approximately 350 iguanas live here. They have found in this cay a proper ecosystem since this is the only one with caves and prickly pears, its favorite food. Playa Sirena (Mermaid Beach), beautiful during daytime for its wide strip of white sand contrasting with the variety of blue colors of the water and a reddish-cloud twilight, extending in stripes. Other recommended beaches are Lindamar, Blanca, Los Cocos, Tortuga and Luna. Cayo Largo helps to find yourself. Would it be a "philosophical" place? A place that helps to indulge in "deep thinking" as to determine what to do next: lie down on the sand, practice sports or go to an excursion or simply ignore the outside world?

An Underwater Garden Emerging on the water surface by sections, a coral reef welcomes on its thorny structure, a varied underwater fauna. Sun glasses, snorkel and fins are all what is needed to be submerged into the silent world of the capricious corals and colored fishes. The bottom, covered by crystal-clear water, looks like a glass lightly dyed in blue, allowing us to see very neatly the wonderful sea bottom. The most varied assortment of corals dressed in the rainbow colors and mixed with a whole set of mollusks, echinoderms, foraminifers, make up a organic hill fairly hallucinatory, name given by some scholars to this coral reef. Among gorgonias, gray-violet fans grow that thanks to their flexibility are moved by the swinging of the water. Starfishes can be seen on the sandy soil. A wonderful world where oneself can imitate this friendly little animals, relax and take it easy.