Punta Hicacos Beach
Wild, undeveloped coast where Cuba's north tip runs free
About
Playa Punta Hicacos sits at the far tip of the Hicacos Peninsula on Cuba's north coast, within the commune of Varadero on Cayo Libertad. White sand stretches along an undeveloped shoreline backed by protected land — no beach bars, no sun-lounger rows, no noise except wind and water. The blue water here is open and exposed, not the calm lagoon you'll find further down the peninsula. It carries a genuinely wild character that sets it apart from Varadero's resort strip. Tags say it all: protected area, no facilities, hiking access.
How to get there
The beach is reached on foot via hiking trails — no parking is available at the site. The nearest city, Varadero, is effectively at your doorstep (0km), so you can walk or cycle from accommodation in town. Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport (VRA) is 36.5km away, and most visitors arrive via Varadero's resort zone. Come prepared: there are no facilities once you leave the trailhead.
Who it's for
For couples
Couples who want to escape the resort atmosphere entirely will find the wild, undeveloped character of Punta Hicacos genuinely refreshing — it's one of the few stretches near Varadero where you can have white sand and open blue water largely to yourselves.
For families
Families with young children should think carefully before visiting — no facilities, no lifeguard, and exposed open-coast conditions make this a beach better suited to older kids and adults comfortable with a self-sufficient hiking excursion rather than a casual beach day.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Playa Punta Hicacos is not a beach you visit for comfort — it's a beach you visit because you want to see Cuba's north coast before tourism got to it. The wild tag is accurate. White sand, open blue water, protected land behind you, and zero facilities in any direction. That's the deal. Assess the water honestly before you enter — this is an exposed, open coast and conditions can change. If you're staying in Varadero and want one afternoon that feels nothing like the all-inclusive strip, the hike out here earns it. Come dry-season, come prepared, and come with realistic expectations.
What to do
The main draw here is the landscape itself — hiking the access trails through protected coastal terrain is the primary activity. Nearby, Cueva Musulmanes (2.9km) offers cave exploration, and organised cave tours depart from a point 3.4km away. If you want to go airborne, a recreational flight (Vuelo recreativo) operates 5.2km from the beach — a rare way to see the peninsula's wild tip from above.
The cleanest shot is at the sand-meets-water line looking east along the white shore with no resort infrastructure in frame — go at sunrise before any hikers arrive.
The coastal vegetation boundary where protected scrubland meets open beach gives a strong natural-frame composition that reads nothing like the rest of Varadero.
Where to eat
There are no restaurants on the beach itself, so plan ahead. El Charro Restaurant Mexicano and Restaurante Argentino are both around 0.2km away — close enough for a meal before or after your visit. El Ranchón Playa and Restaurante de Especialidades are roughly 1.5km out if you want more options on the way back.
Where to stay
Meliá Marina Apartments Hotel is the closest option at just 0.2km, making it the most convenient base for an early-morning visit. Club Meliá Cuba Apartments (0.6km) and Hotel Blau Cayo Libertad (1km) are solid mid-range alternatives within easy reach of the trailhead.
Photography
The most striking shots come from the point where white sand meets open blue water with zero infrastructure in frame — arrive at first light for soft shadows and an empty shoreline. The protected-area vegetation framing the beach edge also makes for strong natural-border compositions in the late afternoon when the light drops low.
Good to know
This is a protected, undeveloped area — leave nothing behind and respect the natural environment. No facilities means you must carry all water, food, and sun protection. The exposed, open-coast blue water and wild conditions mean swimming should be approached with serious caution — assess currents carefully before entering and never swim alone. Visit during the dry season (November to April) for the most stable, manageable conditions; the wet season (May to October) brings heavier weather to this unprotected stretch.
Map
Nearby places
El Charro Restaurant Mexicano
Restaurante Argentino
Buffet
El Ranchón Playa
Restaurante de Especialidades
Meliá Marina Apartments Hotel
Club Meliá Cuba Apartments
El sueño de ruso
Hotel Blau Cayo Libertad
Family Junior Suite Room
Cueva Musulmanes
Salida del tour a las cuevas musulmanas
Vuelo recreativo
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Other beaches in the region
More beaches in Greater Antilles
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — isol · source · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Photo 2 — isol · source · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Photo 3 — isol · source · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Photo 4 — Сергей Марцынюк · source · CC BY-SA 3.0