PLAYA ANCON
Area: Cuba
Country: Cuba


Location:
Half way along Cuba's S coast, 180 mls SE of Havana, 52 mls W of the provincial capital of Sancti Spiritus, 12 mls S of historical town of Trinidad.

Telephone code from UK:
53 419

Position:
A 3-mile spit of sand connecting the mainland with the Ancon peninsula. The beach on the S side faces the Caribbean; to the N is Casilda Cove. Backed in the distance by the Sierra de Escambray mountains.

Description:
Basically the beach and two hotels. The potholed road meanders along the narrow sand spit beside mangrove swamps on the inland side and stops just past the hotel Ancon at the marina (see entertainments). Although the Ancon Peninsula continues for another 3 miles and broadens considerably there is no road access.

Suitability:
Definitely a middle- to economy-market destination. No great refinement here even by Cuban standards. Sun, sea and sand predominate in a get-away-from-it-all location. Water sports fans and scuba divers will appreciate its facilities. More discerning clients wanting a similar location but 4-star accommodation would be better suited by Cayo Coco.

Accommodation:
Two modest three-star hotels which barely deserve that category. Both offer "all-inclusive" options but see our comments on this under the same heading in the Guardalavaca resort report. The area is currently under development so change will come.

Shopping:
Souvenirs and minimarkets at hotels. No shops at the beach area. Banks, chemist and craft market at Trinidad. For important information on Cuban currency regulations, see under Currency section in Cuban country report.

Beach:
The fine near-white sandy beach in front of the hotel Ancon is the best stretch (about a mile) though even this does not have the typical tropical look of a Caribbean beach _ perhaps due to the lack of many coconut palms. Elsewhere the coast is often rocky but a decent length of sand exists at Maria Aguilar Beach next to the Costasur hotel. No motorised water sports.

Entertainments:
Daytime: beach-based activities mainly organised by hotels. Scuba diving and all manner of other nautical activities offered at the marina. An independent visit to the historic town of Trinidad (declared a UNESCO world heritage site with cobbled streets and Spanish colonial architecture) is a must if the organised tours do not appeal. Nightlife: hotel entertainment programmes only.

Eating:
Nearest restaurants, apart from those in hotels, are at Trinidad. See also our general comments on Cuban food quality under this heading in the Guardalavaca resort report.

Public-transport:
None. Taxis, horse-drawn carriages, bicycle hire or moped hire.

Local-excursions:
Trinidad city tour. Jungle tour. Havana. Cienfuegos city tour. Local farm party. Boat trip to Cayo Blanco for snorkelling. Guama National Park (crocodile farm, lagoon boat trip, flora and fauna). Cayo Largo (by air). Flight by Russian biplane over Trinidad.