(Approximate distances performed with the excellent positioning software Google Earth. Acq. 2011)
Here is a brief description of the beaches in Cayo Santa Maria ...
Sector 1 - about 1 km
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Small beaches of the western tip of the island
This is the beach area of the new Melia Buenavista, which opened on December 1st, 2011. This approximate kilometer of beach is actually divided into three sectors: Playa Canyon (400 m), Ensenada Punta Madruguilla (200 m) and Ensenada Punta Matamoros (300 m). The section of beach north-east connects with the beach that leads to the Sol Cayo Santa Maria. This is the "Au Natural" beach in Cayo Santa Maria.
Sector 2 - about 6 km (1.5 km of clothing optional beach, westend)
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The hotels beach in Cayo Santa Maria
The area for the walkers! There is more than 6 kms of fine white sand in continuously. The beach is fully occupied by all the resorts on the island. The Memories Azul Beach Resort (formerly Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria Tropical) delimiting the eastend of the beach area and the west end by the Melia Buenavista. Note that the Villa Zaida del Rio is no longer attached to the Sol Cayo Santa Maria, but instead the Melia Buenavista. The west end is more difficult to walk because the ground is soft (from the Melia Cayo Santa Maria to the Melia Buenavista).
If you love snorkeling, unfortunately there are few places from the beach in Cayo Santa Maria. However, there is a tiny coral island located in the west, nearly the Melia Buenavista. It is important to bring your fins, as it is located about 200 meters from the beach. You may want to book a catamaran excursion if you wish to do beautiful snorkeling. There are few corals where you can venture directly from the beach, West of the hotel Sol Cayo Sanata Maria.
Sector 3 - about 0.6 km
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The beach that leads to the red-roofed house
This is the beach area past the hotel zone eastbound. If you venture into this area in the direction of the house with the red roof, do not be surprised to get tackled by a guard, because it is a government building. It is about 1.4 km from the Memories Azul Beach Resort (formerly the Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria tropical), so there is only 0.6 km of sand beach. Allow water shoes or sandals if you want to venture in this sector. In July 2011, we flew over the region going to Jamaica, and we found a construction zone near the Memories Azul Beach Resort.
Sector 4 - about 2 km
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Playa Perla Blanca (West)
Located seven miles from the Sol is the pristine beach of Playa Perla Blanca. It is divided into two sections, accessible by the main sandy path. To reach the west end, you have to take a small path. The path to get to Perla Blanca is easier since the construction of a new road (2011).
Sector 5 - about 3 km
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Playa Perla Blanca (East)
There are few palapas in that beach area. Note that these are not maintained beaches. Near the parking area, there is a small kiosk, which is a meeting point for the Cubans. Note that there is no organized excursions for Perla Blanca. You must get there by yourself. The eastern and western Perla Blanca is divided by about 350 meters of old coral.
