8 Best Sights in Havana, Cuba

Lying 18 km (11 miles) east of Havana, this tranquil crescent of sand surrounding a quiet lagoon is the first you'll come to along the Playas del Este. This is about as natural as they come, with a scattering of palm trees for shade and a few locals who will offer to catch some fresh fish and cook it for you or scale a tree to get you a coconut. Coral reefs and an 18th-century Spanish galleon lie far off shore, meaning that you'll occasionally see scuba-diving excursions here, too. Look for the Villa Bacuranao, hidden by rocks and trees, at one end of the beach, a quiet two-star resort with a swimming pool, restaurant, and inexpensive basic rooms to rent. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming.

In between Santa María and Boca Ciega, you'll find a lively sweep of white sand, proudly flying the rainbow flag. This is Playas del Este gay beach, full of buffed beach bodies, sun beds, and a party-like atmosphere. Most hotels in the surrounding area are also gay-friendly. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: partiers.

Just beyond the Laguna Itabo and the mouth of the Río Boca Ciega you'll find a small, but lively stretch of sand, mostly used by those staying at the nearby Hotel Blau Arenal. There's always something going on here such as salsa lessons or limbo competitions. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: partiers.

Locals will tell you that this is the best and prettiest beach of the Playas del Este, and it's certainly the liveliest, too, popular with both tourists and visiting habaneros. Here you'll find the Hotel Club Tropicoco and the Hotel Atlantico, behind the dunes. Think beachside restaurants, sun beds, massage tents, live Cuban music, water sports, and individual food vendors, selling everything from tamales to pizza and boxes of rice and beans. Amenities: water sports; food and drink. Best for: partiers; swimming.

Just 2 km (1 mile) east of Playa Tarará is a wide stretch of white sand, which marks the very beginning of the popular Playa de Santa María. Here you can rent sun beds or pedalos and enjoy the facilities of a simple beachside café. There's also on-sand dining, catered by the hotels located behind the dunes. It's busier than Bacuranao and Playa Tarará, but still quiet enough to find your own stretch of sand. Amenities: water sports; food and drink. Best for: walking.

If you head farther east from Playa Boca Ciega, you'll come to the bustling town of Guanabo and its pretty golden-sand beach with calm clear waters. With its many bars, restaurants, shops, and horse and carriage–style taxis, Guanabo is a popular weekend getaway spot for local habaneros. This is also where you'll find the greatest concentration of casas particulares, which can often have better facilities than many of the area hotels. The beach has a relaxed vibe during the day, with inexpensive sail and pedal boats for rent, but it gets busier in the evenings with impromptu rum and dance parties. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming.

Santa Cruz del Norte, 10 km (6 miles) east of Playa Guanabo, is an industrial town that's home to Cuba's greatest distillery, the Ronería Santa Cruz, where the ubiquitous Havana Club rum is made. Don't let the offshore oil rigs or the less than pristine waters here deter you from continuing. Just 3 km (2 miles) east of Santa Cruz is the best and least spoiled of all of the beaches near Havana. Nestled between headlands at the mouth of the Río Jibacoa, its white sands are backed by cliffs that overlook crystal clear, aquamarine waters. Divers will appreciate the coral reefs here, while terrestrial types can follow hiking trails from the beach into the backcountry. The Breezes Hotel here is one of the finest beach hotels in Cuba. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; walking.

Two km (1 mile) east of Bacuranao is a small stretch of white sand that's only accessible via a modern private residential area; tourists are welcome for a small fee. It's home to the 50-berth Marina Tarará/Club Naútica, site of the Old Man and the Sea Fishing Tournament every July. Here you can arrange boat rentals, yacht cruises, fishing trips, and diving or snorkeling excursions. There are also accommodations and a good restaurant at the Hotel Villa Armonía Tarará. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: snorkeling.