Other useful things to know
This section contains additional details, tips, and information that is not (or little) covered in the rest of our website.
Gratuities
It goes without saying that they are at your discretion, and on merit. The guide below is only meant to give you a usual average, but you are free to increase or decrease the amount depending on the quality of service received and the situation. Also note that this guide applies to all-inclusive hotels (as is the case for all hotels in Cayo Largo). In an independent restaurant the average tip is 10% of the total bill.
- Chambermaid: 2-3 USD per day per room
- Waiter/waitress (in a buffet restaurant): 1 to 2 USD per table
- Waiter/waitress (in à-la-carte restaurants): 3 to 5 USD per table
- Bartender: 1 USD every 2-3 drinks if you go to the bar yourself. 1 USD per order if you are served at the table.
- Porter: 1 USD per suitcase
- Guide + driver (during an excursion): about 5 USD per person (they will share with each other)
- Taxi driver: 1 USD per trip (one way or round trip)
- Entertainment team: at your discretion, depending on your interactions with them
- Reception staff: at your discretion, depending on your interactions with them
- Indirect employees (cooks, gardeners, maintenance staff of public areas, office workers, etc.): Think about them too, 1 USD here and there will make many happy!
Cayo Largo back stage
We can find on the island: a small power plant that produces electricity from diesel generators, a desalination and water treatment plant, a small fire station ("bomberos"), a supply port located north of the pueblo where goods and supplies are unloaded and stored.
Drinking water
Although water is "technically" drinkable everywhere on the island, it does not taste very good, probably because it is desalinated seawater. It is suggested to tourists not to drink tap water (in your room or in public areas). On the other hand, water (and ice cubes) served in bars and restaurants is purified and fit for consumption. At most hotels, a 1.5-liter water bottle is left in your room each day. You can also buy some in the shops, or have your empty bottles refilled at bars and restaurants free of charge.
Saltwater pools
In Cayo Largo the pools of all the hotels have saltwater, however the showers around the pool are desalinated water. On a coral island like Cayo Largo, where there is no source of fresh water, water management is always a challenge. The desalination and water treatment plant provides water for hotel rooms, public areas (restrooms, showers, etc.), but it would probably be too demanding and expensive to fill the huge pools with desalinated water. But, it goes without saying that the pool's water is still filtered and sanitized.
Palapas and beach chairs
Palapas are fixed sun shelters (round parasol style or rectangular shelter) whose roof is made of dried palm leaves. There are some in front of every hotel in Cayo Largo, and also on the western beaches (Playa Sirena, Playa Paraiso and Playa Mal Tiempo). But it happens quite regularly that they fall or break during storms, strong winds, or because of beach erosion. It is therefore possible that a hotel may not have palapas (or very little) on its beach for a while, so portable umbrellas are then available (but in limited amount). Note that there is no natural shade (tree or palm trees) on the beaches of Cayo Largo, except for Playa Sirena (a beach at the west end of the island). If you travel in high-season and/or you learned (through forums) that you hotel currently has only a few or no palapas, you may then want to bring your own beach tent or umbrella.
As for the beach chairs, there is usually enough of them. The type of sun loungers that we find now everywhere in Cayo Largo is the one shown on the thumbnail opposite (click to enlarge). Note that it is forbidden to reserve in advance a palapa and chairs at the beach if you do not intend to use them immediately or soon; the same rule applies at the pool.
On beaches outside the hotel zone located at the western end of the island (Playa Sirena, Playa Paraiso and Playa Mal Tiempo), it costs 2 USD/day to rent a beach chair, palapas are free.
Clothing and dress code
Light clothing suited to a tropical climate is appropriate, but you should also bring a sweater or a light jacket, especially if you travel between mid-December and mid-March, when the evenings can sometimes be a little cool.
Dress code: In the restaurants and snack bars, a casual outfit is appropriate for breakfast and lunch. For dinner, a casual outfit is fine at the buffet restaurant. In à-la-carte restaurants the required dress code is "Smart Casual", which means for men: long pants and a shirt (without a tie) or a polo shirt (no jeans, camisole or sleeveless t-shirt); for women: dress, skirt, bermuda shorts or capri pants (no jeans, short shorts, crop top (belly shirt) or beachwear).
Swimming at sea
It is not advisable to swim in the sea at night, let alone solo! The sea in front of the hotel zone of Cayo Largo is often agitated, a wave that you didn't see coming can quickly make you lose feet with risk of injury (or even drowning). But if you have always dreamed of a midnight swim at sea and absolutely want to live the experience, choose a day of calm sea, and never do it alone!
You shouldn't wear jewelry while swimming or snorkeling. These small sparkling objects can be mistaken for a small fish and may catch the attention of an inquisitive barracuda; this doesn't mean that it will necessarily attack (they rarely do), but it may frighten you.
Starfish are not a toy!
There are plenty of them in Cayo Largo, and they are so beautiful! PLEASE, do not take them 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, so do not manipulate them. You can very well take beautiful pictures just next to them without disturbing them. The same is true of course for all other marine or terrestrial creatures.
Iguanas are not pets!
Many iguanas roam freely in Cayo Largo, especially on the east side of the island, where they like to bask in the sun on the rocks overlooking the beach. Although they usually are harmless and shy, some have become more "social" by being fed by humans. A curious (or glutton!) iguana can be approached and even be pet. But BE CAREFUL, they still remain wild and unpredictable animals! Their bite is quite painful and can transmit many germs. These reptiles also have long sharp claws, and they can give powerful tail strokes.
Flying Insects, fumigation and repellent
« Mosquitos »
Mosquitoes, lovers of heat and humidity, proliferate during the wet season (May to October). There can sometimes be a lot of them depending on weather conditions and wind direction. They are particularly present at sunrise and sunset time; but much more rarely during daytime, thankfully.
« Jejenes »
These tiny midges, called jejenes in Cuba, are part of the family Ceratopogonidae. They are also commonly called sand flies or no-see-ums. Their bite can be painful and cause some people a prolonged itch. Like mosquitoes, they are more abundant during hot and humid periods (May to October), and especially active at sunrise and sunset.
« Tabanos »
This fly of the family Tabanidae is commonly called deer fly or horse fly; the Cubans call it "tabano". Although they are less frequent and less abundant than mosquitoes or no-see-ums, they can be present in Cayo Largo, especially during the wet season.
Fumigation
During the wet season (May to October), hotels regularly fumigate their gardens once or twice daily; usually at sunset time but sometimes at dawn too. During the dry season (November to April), fumigation is done as needed; mosquitoes may be more or less present depending on the heat and humidity.
Insect repellent
Whether traveling in the dry season or wet season, it is always suggested to bring a good mosquito repellent. Travel health clinics generally suggest cream type products (rather than spray) containing DEET, because of their effectiveness (DEET) and longer protection (cream type). But depending on age, sensitivity or allergies, other products may be more appropriate, it is better to consult a travel health specialist.
"Caribe" or thimble jellyfish larvae (Linuche unguiculata)
This natural phenomenon commonly known as sea lice or seabather's eruption (or by Cubans: "Caribe"), usually occurs in the spring, most often in May or June. Several coasts may be randomly and momentarily affected in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Some years the coasts of Cuba can be affected, other years less or very little, depending mostly on weather conditions (rain, temperature, wind and wave strength, etc.). These larvae are found just under the surface and in the first meters. When there are many, it looks like large oil patches on the surface.
Adult thimble jellyfish measures 5 to 20 mm but it's their microscopic 0.5 mm transparent larvae (invisible to the naked eye) that affect swimmers. Prolonged contact with the skin may cause an itching dermatitis. Not all people are affected or inconvenienced in the same way, depending on the level of sensitivity to this microorganism.
These tiny larvae remain trapped in hair, body hair and swimsuits. When out of the water, they are deprived of their natural environment (salt water), so when rubbing on the skin, the larvae sting and inject their toxin "nematocyst" which causes irritation. The areas of the skin that are often the most affected are: under wet clothes (swimsuit, t-shirt), neck and shoulders (because of long hair and also because these larvae stay near the surface ), as well as hairy areas.
Precautions to limit exposure:
- Take a shower after each swim at sea, making sure to rinse thoroughly your hair and swimsuit. At the slightest sign of irritation or redness, remove the contaminated swimsuit as soon as possible.
- Do not wear a t-shirt to swim, and choose a bikini (or monokini!) rather than a one-piece swimsuit to limit the area of fabric in contact with the skin, or even better, swim naked! (which is not a problem in a destination like Cayo Largo where naturism is common and tolerated).
- Applying an oil-based sun lotion prevents them from sticking to the skin and body hair, but the hair and below swimsuit remain vulnerable areas.
Most cases of rash are treated fairly easily with hydrocortisone creams or calamine lotion to relieve itching. Antihistamines (topical or tablet, such as Benadryl) and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can help too. But in the case of severe or prolonged irritation, it is recommended to see a doctor.
To learn more on Seabather's Eruption: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seabather's eruption
Lily & Normand
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