Geographical location, environment, and maps of Cayo Largo

Click to view a: Satellite Map showing the location of: Hotels, attractions and services

Cayo Largo del Sur is part of a group of about 350 islands called the Canarreos Archipelago, located off the south coast of the northwestern part of the main island of Cuba, in the Caribbean Sea. Cayo Largo is part of the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud (Youth Island) which is not part of any province, and is therefore administered directly by the central government of Cuba.

This peaceful Caribbean retreat is located at the eastern end of the Canarreos Archipelago, about 135 km east of Nueva Gerona (the capital of Isla de le Juventud), about 80 Km south of the main island of Cuba, and 177 km from Havana. Cayo Largo means long cay, it's about 28 km long and 2-3 km wide, with a total area of 37.5 square kilometers, it's the second largest island of the Canarreos archipelago, after Isla de la Juventud (2,200 sq. km).

Cayo Largo is a limestone island formed over millions of years from the remains of marine organisms, such as the ones that build coral reefs. Its 25 km of pristine beaches are located along the southern coastline, while the north coast consists largely of mangroves and salt pans. The crystal-clear waters and gorgeous coral reefs that surround Cayo Largo make it a prime destination for diving.

Cayo Largo was developed in the early 80's purely for tourism purposes. Visit our History and Memories pages to learn about the history of Cayo Largo from centuries ago (indigenous people, pirates, slaves, etc.) until it became a resort island in 1982.

The island is uninhabited (no cities, "real" villages or farms). Only a handful of all-inclusive resorts stretch out on the pristine white sand beaches. There is a pueblo located northwest of the island but you won't find there any family house or any “casa particular” (homestays), only tourist services and appartments provided to the hotels' staff who come to Cayo Largo to work for 20 consecutive days 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.

With its remote location, the nature of Cayo Largo shows a high degree of conservation; iguanas, pelicans and other aquatic waterfowl abound. The coasts of Cayo Largo serve as a point for the reproduction of sea turtles, hundreds of them come to lay their eggs on Cayo Largo' beaches between April and September, for further information visit our Sea Turtle Rescue Center section.

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Lily & Normand
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