Our journey begins with two of Cuba's iconic beaches that combine tradition with modernity and offer countless opportunities for active travelers.

Playa Varadero is a true legend among Cuban beaches. This 20-kilometer stretch of white sand and turquoise water is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. The beach is famous for its excellent conditions for windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing. Numerous schools and equipment rentals are available for beginners, while the more experienced can enjoy ideal wind conditions year-round. Varadero also offers fantastic scuba diving opportunities - coral reefs close to the shore tempt with an abundance of underwater life.

However, Varadero is not only water sports. The beach is surrounded by numerous hotels and resorts that offer a wide range of activities on land. You'll find golf courses, tennis courts and even horseback riding opportunities along the coast. In the evening, the beach is lively, with numerous bars and clubs allowing you to continue your activities long after the sun goes down.

For those looking for a slightly quieter atmosphere, but who don't want to forgo an active vacation, Beach Santa Maria del Mar is the ideal choice. Located just 20 minutes from the center of Havana, this beach offers ideal conditions for water sports, while maintaining a more intimate character than Varadero.

Santa Maria del Mar is famous for its crystal clear waters and fine white sand. It's a paradise for snorkeling enthusiasts - the coastal waters hide a fascinating underwater world that can be explored without venturing into deep water. The beach is also popular with surfers, especially in the winter months when the waves are most favorable.

An important advantage of Santa Maria del Mar is its proximity to Cuba's capital. After a fun-filled day at the beach, you can easily transfer to bustling Havana to explore its cultural and culinary attractions.

Both Varadero and Santa Maria del Mar offer excellent tourist infrastructure. On both beaches you'll find water equipment rentals, bars and restaurants serving fresh seafood, and outlets for diving excursions or cruises.

If you're dreaming of more unspoiled beaches where nature still rules undisturbed and crowds of tourists are absent, be sure to visit Playa Sirena and Coco Beach. These two places are real gems for lovers of active recreation surrounded by unspoiled nature.

Playa Sirena, located on Cayo Largo del Sur, is the quintessential Caribbean paradise. This beach impresses with its pristine beauty - the white soft sand contrasts with the intensely turquoise water, creating a fairy-tale setting. While it may seem like a place ideal only for lazing around, Playa Sirena offers many opportunities for active tourists.

The waters surrounding the beach are home to abundant marine life, making it ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. Here you can see colorful fish, sea turtles and even dolphins. For kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding enthusiasts, the calm waters around Playa Sirena are ideal for exploring the coast from a different perspective.

Importantly, Playa Sirena is much less crowded than the popular beaches of Varadero, allowing for a more intimate experience of connecting with nature. Keep in mind, however, that the tourist infrastructure here is more limited - it's a good idea to bring your own water sports equipment or arrange to rent it in advance.

Coco Beach, though lesser known, is not inferior in beauty to Playa Sirena. This intimate beach offers ideal conditions for water sports in a more secluded setting. Coco Beach is famous for its crystal clear waters and gentle waves, making it an excellent place to learn to surf or windsurf.

One of Coco Beach's biggest attractions is the opportunity to see dolphins in their natural habitat. You can take part in organized tours that allow you to swim with these intelligent creatures - an experience you won't forget for the rest of your life.

Coco Beach also offers excellent conditions for kitesurfing, especially during the winter months when the winds are most favorable. For those who prefer quieter activities, the beach is the perfect place to do yoga on the beach or meditate by the setting sun.

Both Playa Sirena and Coco Beach offer the opportunity for deep immersion in Cuba's nature. They are ideal places for those who appreciate tranquility and authenticity, while not sacrificing active recreation. Keep in mind, however, that due to their remoteness from the main tourist centers, it is advisable to plan your visit well and take everything you might need.

To conclude our tour of Cuba's most beautiful beaches for active tourists, we can't leave out a true gem - Playa Paraiso on Cayo Largo del Sur. This beach, whose name literally translates to 'Paradise Beach', fully deserves its name.

Playa Paraiso is regularly ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches, and its charm cannot be overstated. The powdery white sand, crystal clear water of an amazing turquoise hue and coconut palms create a postcard-like setting. However, Playa Paraiso is not just a place to laze around and admire the views - it's also a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

One of Playa Paraiso's biggest attractions is scuba diving and snorkeling. The waters surrounding the beach are home to a rich coral reef ecosystem, where you can see colorful tropical fish, sea turtles and even manta rays. Courses and instructor-led expeditions are available for novice divers, while more experienced divers can explore the underwater world on their own.

Playa Paraiso also offers excellent conditions for water sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing. Steady winds and shallow waters create ideal conditions for beginners and advanced riders alike. There are schools on the beach offering lessons and equipment rentals, so even if you don't have your own equipment, you can try your hand at these exciting sports.

For kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding enthusiasts, Playa Paraiso's calm waters are ideal for coastal exploration. You can rent equipment on site and explore the hidden coves and picturesque rock formations along the shoreline.

If you're looking for something more adrenaline-pumping, at Playa Paraiso you can try parasailing - flying on a parachute pulled by a motor boat. It's a great way to enjoy the beauty of the beach and surrounding waters from a whole new perspective.

It is worth noting that despite its popularity, Playa Paraiso retains a relatively quiet atmosphere. The beach is much less crowded than Varadero, allowing for a more intimate experience of connecting with nature. At the same time, it offers basic tourist infrastructure - there is a bar on the beach where you can have lunch and a refreshing cocktail after an active day.

Playa Paraiso, like other beaches on Cayo Largo del Sur, is also a place where you can observe sea turtles. During the nesting season (May to September), you may have the chance to see these fascinating creatures lay their eggs on the beach or watch young turtles make their first journey to the sea.

All in all, Playa Paraiso is a place that combines everything you'd expect from an ideal beach for active tourists - incredible natural beauty, a wealth of water sports opportunities and relative tranquility. It's the perfect place to end your Cuban beach adventure, leaving you with unforgettable memories and a desire to return to this Caribbean island.