Playa Giron, A Spot Not To Be Missed
This sleepy little town in Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs) was our first stop outside of Havana, sadly the Viazul bus was full so we needed to take a private taxi (cost around 80 CUC).
Upon arriving in Playa Girōn we were greeted by our beautiful hosts Xiomara and Gerardo. They were very knowledgable of the local area and ensured our stay was one we will never forget.
We recommend staying in one of the many casa particulars, Los Pinos was where we stayed. The prices here are a lot cheaper than in the cities.
Main street in Playa Girōn, with a bike and a vintage car sharing the road. Playa Girōn a spot not to be missed.
Playa Giron, named after the French pirate Gilberto Giron, is made up of only a few streets, the main street has a few restaurants and most houses around the area are casa particulars. It has a population around 2000.
The beach is sheltered by a large wall the stretches from one side to the other. You can even walk across it.
Hotel Playa Giron is a resort hotel that is mainly connected with the beach. There is also a little beach shack that does great toasted sandwiches for just a few CUC.
The beach itself is nice, not really one of those white sand beaches you see when you google Cuban beaches however it was fine for a swim and the kids had a great time playing in the sand and swimming it the calm waters. Hotel Playa Giron looks like it has seen better days, it’s showing its age.
Lukas and Sawyer sitting on the beach with the concrete break water wall in the background.
Things To Do Around Playa Giron
Caleta Buena
Trust me this place is a must and it won’t disappoint. Our hosts recommended this place which was 9km out of town. We made an early start and opted to take a horse and cart taxi for a few CUC, the kids loved this ride.
We arrived at 9 am, opening time and couldn’t believe the price. Including all you can eat and drink it costs 15CUC each for adults, 7.50CUC for Lukas and Sawyer was free.
Caleta Buena is a beautiful protected cove, a divers and snorkelers paradise. The waters are crystal clear and there is an abundance undersea life.
The amount of fish (surgeonfish and striped red mullets just to name a couple) that swim around you is pretty cool. There are also a couple of small rocky pools for swimming and snorkelling too and these a full of fish too.
A small walking track winds its way around the inlet with sun lounges set up in certain areas some private, some open.
It works on a first come first in bases. We opted to swim around the cove taking turns to hold the kids. In certain parts, around the rocky edges, Lukas could stand.
There are ladders to help you in and out of the water too. You can go scuba diving here too. Numerous times we saw a small boat head out to the open sea with a few divers on board.
Lunch is served as a buffet with a range of salads, meat dishes and bread. Dessert is also available. This is open for a couple of hours around lunchtime and Lukas certainly enjoyed going back and forth a few times.
You are never short of a drink as the barman always keeps you topped up, yep you have to go to the bar to order your drinks but you can grab as many as you like. Beer, cocktails and fruit juices are in full flow.
We stayed for the entire day 9 am until 5 pm and at the end of the day, our horse and cart taxi was waiting for the return trip home.
Here Lukas even had a turn at taking the reins for a while. It really was a great day trip for the whole family.
Make Sure To Read: Cuba With Kids, 10 Reasons Why You Should
The boys in the water at Caleta Buena as the fish swim around us
Museo Giron
Near Hotel Playa Giron is the local Museum, its costs 2CUC per person, kids were free. It gives the Cuba perspective of the US invasion of the Bay of Pigs that failed.
There are two rooms housing exhibits and artefacts from the battle and well as a detailed account of the invasion, how the Cuban troops trained and lived, as well as the soldiers who were killed.
This small museum is all in Spanish so its best to have a good understanding or you can hire a guide. Out the front are tanks and aircraft that were used in the battle.
Across the road, there is a little market place and sells a range of souvenirs too. This is also the place where the Viazul bus picks you up from.
Family photo out the front of the Museum
Punta Perdiz
This destination sits between Playa Giron and Playa Largo, it’s very much the same as Caleta Buena, 15CUC each for adults, 7.50CUC for kids (includes all you can eat and drink).
However, our hosts said it was more of a challenge for the kids to swim and see fish. To get out to the best snorkelling or scuba diving spots to need to swim around 40 metres to the coral reefs rich with flora and fauna.
This is written as one of the best diving spots in Cuba and here you can snorkel or dive around the reefs and coral exploring all the underwater sea-life.
Next Read: 10 Things To Do In Cienfuegos, Cuba
Punta Perdiz with its clear waters and rocky shoreline
Places to Stay/Eat
There are many places to stay and again I would recommend staying with locals instead of a hotel. We booked ‘Los Pinos’ on Airbnb, Xiomara and Gerardo are incredible hosts and know how to look after their guests.
This place was one of the best we stayed in during our time in Cuba and the amenities were spot on.
Because Gerardo was an amazing cook we always ate with our hosts, he makes the best mojitos with mint freshly picked from the garden!. He’s also a wealth of local knowledge and will happily organise trips, rent bikes and arrange transport.
We did see a few restaurants on the main street when we walked around however when Gerardo is cooking for you there’s only one place to eat. If you are coming to Playa Giron this is the place to stay.
Photo with Xiomara and Gerardo, sad to leave this place
Getting There
Playa Giron is 210km from Havana and the Viazul bus takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the bus you take. Most Viazul buses stop here on the way to Cienfuegos.
Make sure you book a few days before you want to travel otherwise it might be full. As mentioned early we spent 80CUC for a private taxi.
Playa Giron is 160km south of Varadero and the world-famous Varadero beach however our Cuban hosts shake their heads at the thought of tourists who go there.
Final Thoughts
Playa Giron is the perfect place for a two to three-night stay, we loved it and we would recommend it to anyone thinking of visiting.
The best time to go is during the offseason, our Cuban hosts said December to February as there are no mosquitos and it’s not as hot.
Our kids loved there time here, the Cuban people were so helpful and friendly. When we look back we wish we’d stayed a couple more days.
I guess we’ll just have to return next time we are in Cuba.
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Meet the family
We are a family of 4 living in New Zealand. I’m a teacher (great profession for traveling) and my wife Connie is a section administrator. We are also proud parents of two travel-loving boys.
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Hi, I've been fortunate enough to have travelled for over 25 years. My parents gave me the travel bug when I was 10 years old by taking my sister and I to the USA and Mexico for two months. I've travelled by myself, with mates, with my wife and now as a family of four. My goal is to inspire our families to get out and see the world.
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