Playa Sirena

Playa Sirena, Cayo Largo, Cuba

The spectacular Playa Sirena (Mermaid beach) is Cayo Largo's best equipped, widest and most stable off-resort beach. This pristine beach is part of the Cayo Largo area called the western beaches, with Playa Paraiso and Playa Mal Tiempo. You won't find any hotel there, but a full range of services are available to accommodate tourists (see below). Playa Sirena is the only beach in Cayo Largo cover with dozens of palm trees providing lots of natural shade (in addition to many palapas). On every other beach, shade is provided by palapas.

Location:
Playa Sirena is at the western tip of Cayo Largo, about 7 to 11 km from the hotels. It's accessible via a sandy path. Map of Cayo Largo's beaches
Watch our video (2018) of a trip to the western beaches on an ATV

How to go to Playa Sirena:
• Taxi: 2-3 USD per person one way.
• Shuttle (bus + boat): 5 USD per person round trip more info here
• Rented ATV or scooter more info here
• Walking the beach: About 1½ hour from the Memories Cayo Largo, about 2-2½ hours from the Grand Memories Cayo Largo (depending on beach condition).

Unlike beaches in front of the hotels, the sea at Playa Sirena is always calm. The western beaches are therefore an excellent alternative when the sea in front of the hotel zone is a little too agitated (red flag), or when the beach of a hotel has suffered erosion after strong winds or tide shits.

Another good reason to visit Playa Sirena is the opportunity to practice non-motorized water sports. Given that the sea in front of the hotel zone (Playa Lindarena and Playa Blanca) can be agitated most of the time (therefore less safe for water sports), in 2007 all non-motorized equipment (pedal boat, kayak, hobie cat, windsurfing, snorkeling, etc.) were brought to Playa Sirena because of its ever calm waters. The "Punto Nautico Playa Sirena" is now the only non-motorized water sports center in Cayo Largo, and is accessible to all tourists on the island with the all-inclusive plan.

There used to be a small Delfinario (dolphinarium) at Playa Sirena for a few years, it closed in 2017.

Services at Playa Sirena include:
Nautical excursions, non-motorized water sports, palapas (beach umbrellas), sun loungers (for rent, 2 USD each for the day), 2 bars, a restaurant, a massage hut, a souvenirs shop, bathrooms, and changing rooms. Note that only the non-motorized water sports are included, other services (food, drinks, massages) are not part of your all-inclusive package.

Note that naturism is not allowed at Playa Sirena. You have to go to Playa Paraiso or Playa Mal Tiempo to enjoy an "Au Natural" experience.

Playa Sirena is regularly visited by excursionists doing a day-trip to Cayo Largo from other tourist poles on the main island of Cuba, so it can get more "crowed" sometimes (compared with other virgins beaches in Cayo Largo). Nevertheless, this beach is so long and wide that it never seems "too" crowded.

IMPORTANT NOTES :

It is strictly forbidden to ride ATVs (or any other kind of vehicle) on the beach.
If you decide to take the long walk from your hotel to the western beaches, bring water, apply sunscreen, wear a hat, and bring sandals (you may sometimes have to step on rocks depending on beach conditions and tide).
Please respect this pristine environment; always pick up your trash.
Please, do not take starfish out of the water; this marine animal does not breathe air! Only a few minutes (or a few seconds repeatedly) is enough for them to die, they can also die of stress, they are not a toy!
Cayo Largo's beaches are nesting sites for sea turtles (May to September). Never disturbed sea turtles during nesting season, they are very sensitive to disturbance, which may prevent them from laying their eggs. Never step on a nest or disturb a hatching.