Cuba offers one-of-a-kind options that include the many islets that make up the Cuban archipelago.

Generally, keys of different sizes are part of Cuba’s tourism options, due to the prefect preservation of their beaches.

That is the case of Cayo Santa María, off the central Cuban province of Villa Clara, which has become a fast-growing tourist region visited by thousands of foreign vacationers every year.

Cayo Santa María, which has an area of 18 square kilometers and at least ten kilometers of beaches, is a major option in Cuba’s tourism sector, as it is easily accessed through a causeway over the sea.

There, tourists can visit beaches with suggestive names such as Perla Blanca, Las Caletas, Cañón and Cuatro Puntas, which are complemented by a pristine environment that invites to a refreshing swim.

Four- and five-star hotels, whose design and construction have followed strict planning standards to preserve the environment and integrate the buildings into he landscape the best way possible, are available on the islet.

Among Cayo Santa María’s hotels are the Meliá Santa María (361 rooms), Meliá Las Dunas (925 rooms), Sol Cayo Santa María (300 rooms), Meliá Buenavista (105 rooms) and Barceló Cayo Santa María (684 rooms).

According to experts, the islet is also considered an ecological destination, as it was designated a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), due to its exuberant vegetation and environmental importance.

In that regard, the islet has an exclusive diversity of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic to Cuba.

As an example, it is easy to find colonies of seagulls, as well as lizards, iguanas and several species of birds, while the sea bottom is inhabited by algae and mollusks.

In addition, the key holds vestiges of pre-Columbian culture in caves near the beach, and beautiful underwater seascapes for scuba diving and snorkeling.

Recreational options include all kinds of nautical sports, tennis, golf, trekking, bicycle rides and horseback excursions, which are complemented by tours of nearby cities, including Caibarién, a fishing town where tourists can eat seafood, and Remedios, whose historic heart is well preserved.

Moreover, the Northern Keys’ Fauna Refuge is north of the municipalities of Sagua la Grande and Caibarién.

The refuge has an area of 80,000 hectares and is inhabited by a large colony of flamingos, in addition to endemic animals and nearly 250 species of plants, including 40 ornamental species.

That way, Cuba contributes its entire territory for the benefit of the so-called smokeless industry.