Cuba > To paradise

The bus trip to Cayo Coco is on the agenda today — the first of the two beach resorts along the coast. There’s a feeling that our Cuba trip is now transitioning into a beach holiday. This feeling is reinforced by the fact that on Cayo Coco, there are virtually no Cubans present except those who work there.

Cuba - The vintage car passes the railway

At nine o’clock, the bus is loaded at the hotel. This time it’s a small bus, so small that the luggage has to be stacked on the back seat as well — a noticeable difference from the previous bus. From Camagüey, we drive north toward the coast. Although there are no highways here, the roads are in good condition, and the journey progresses smoothly. We stop briefly in Morón at a hotel for a drink, a bathroom break, and to stretch our legs. Next to the hotel, there’s an old Dutch yellow bus parked — a perfect photo opportunity.

Cuba - Full speed across the lake

We continue toward Cayo Coco. Just before driving onto the 25-kilometer-long causeway to the island, we stop for lunch by a lake. After ordering lunch, we board a few motorboats for a trip through the mangrove forests. The trees and roots hang in the water like a labyrinth, and the boat maneuvers skillfully between them — a remarkable sight. Near the end of the mangroves, the skipper accelerates and speeds through a narrow channel toward the “Milk Lake.” Clearly, he knows the route and every turn. We circle the lake at full speed before returning to the restaurant after about half an hour. After lunch, we board the bus for the final stretch to Cayo Coco. At the hotel, Abel welcomes us to paradise — and it’s no exaggeration. The four-star all-inclusive hotel looks excellent. At the reception, we receive wristbands, and while waiting for the keys, we order a Cuba Libre. The rooms are spacious and beautiful. Towels in hand, we head straight to the beach, where sunbeds are set up for us. We swim, sunbathe, and order rounds of cocktails from the beach bar. When the beach bar closes at five, we continue ordering drinks from the pool bar. The waiter brings a tray full of drinks to the sand, and Abel brings a large bag of fries so we have something to eat. In the evening, before dinner, I take beautiful photos of the sunset at the beach and pool. Dinner is served buffet-style, with the chef preparing hot dishes to order and mixing salads — a stark contrast to the first part of our trip. Later, we watch the finale of the enhanced Disney show and dance in the nightclub until half past midnight.