Pueblo Isla del Sol (aka the village)

Click to view a map of the pueblo
This small pueblo named “Isla del Sol” (Island of the Sun) is located to the northwest of Cayo Largo, about 1.5 km from the airport, and about 8 km from the hotel zone. It's a not really a “village” as such, because no one live there permanently. You can find in the pueblo some tourist services and facilities (listed below), as well as many apartment buildings for hotels staff who come to Cayo Largo for a 20-day shift and then go back to their real home on Isla de la Juventud or the main island of Cuba for a 10-day leave, and so on.

There's a few people who are in Cayo Largo continuously. These are mainly foreign workers who stay in Cayo Largo for the duration of a contract, and for some with their families, hence the presence of a small school in the pueblo.

Services and facilities found in Pueblo Isla del Sol include:

• To learn more, visit our webpage dedicated to Villa Marina

• To learn more, visit our webpages Marina and Scuba Diving

• Formerly "La Granja de la Tortugas", also known as the "Turtle Farm" or "Turtle Hatchery". To learn more, visit our webpage dedicated to the Turtle Center

• A small museum; to learn more, visit our webpage dedicated to Casa Museo

• A restaurant/bar located within the Marina Marlin. This is a nice place to enjoy a cold beer, cocktail or snack on a large terrace with a view of the marina. Hours: 8:00 am to 2:00 am. View their menus here:
  Food – Cocktails – Beer, Liquors, non-alcoholic beverages – Coffee and Cigars

• There is an international polyclinic in Cayo Largo, it's located at the entrance of the pueblo Isla del Sol ( about 8 km from the hotel zone). To learn more on healthcare provided at this medical facility, please visit our Health section.

• This is a private fishing outfitter that specialized in fly fishing in Cuba for over 20 years, There website: cubanfishingcenters.com. They are located on the grounds of hotel Villa Marinera.

• Here you will find the largest selection of handmade Cuban cigars, as well as Cuban rums and jewelry. They also have a smoking lounge to enjoy your favorite Habano, pairing it with a glass of rum. This store is located at the entrance of the pueblo, to the left, across from the clinic.

• On the pueblo's main square (across from the marina), there's an outdoor stage where DJ music, live bands, and dance shows are featured weekly, and for special events. The center of the pueblo then becomes on big dancing floor under the stars. The usual weekly fiestas are:
  • Disco Retro (usually on Monday, from 23:30), dance party to the music from previous decades.
  • Noche de Blanco (usually on Wednesday, from 23:30), dance party where you wear white.
  • Cayo Largo Tonight (usually on Friday, from 23:30), Cuban live band and dancing.
  Note that the Discotheque “El Torreon” (previously a restaurant) is closed for an indefinite period. We heard that the roof of this old building had become too unstable.

• A snack bar located near the main square, between the bowling alley and the little museum (Casa Museo).

• A 2-lanes bowling house with a small bar, located in the center of the pueblo.

• Located on the main square, this is the “largest” souvenirs shop in Cayo Largo where you'll find: Some food items and beverages, Cuban coffee, Cuban rum, local handicrafts, t-shirts, postcards, books, CDs, etc.

• On the main square (aka the “boulevard”), across from the marina, you'll find a small open-air market with a few souvenirs stands.

• Located across from the marina and turtle center, this BANDEC branch is the only bank in Cayo Largo. If it happens that you are in the pueblo for other reasons, this is where you'll get the best exchange rate but the wait can be very long, and don't forget to bring your passport. A trip (taxi cost) exclusively to go to the bank is only worth it if you want to change a larger amount or need to draw cash from your credit card. Find here more information on: Currencies, Money exchange, Debit/Credit Cards

Lily & Normand
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