Cayo Guillermo

Sparsely inhabited in the early years by fishermen and charcoal producers, the island gained fame in the 1960s with deep-sea fishermen. The first resort was built in 1993 in an era described by critics as "tourist apartheid", as Cuban citizens were not allowed on the island unless they worked at the resorts serving tourists or had other specific permission. However, this restriction was lifted after 2000, and Cubans who can afford motor transport often visit Playa Pilar on the island. Many staff who work in the hotels commute from the mainland towns of Morón and Ciego de Avila. The island is a popular tourist destination. One of the country's best beaches, the Playa Pilar (Pilar Beach) is located at the western end of Cayo Guillermo. This beach is named after Ernest Hemingway's yacht, the cabin cruiser Pilar.

Cayo Guillermo is contiguous with Cayo Coco and lays just to the west of it. It’s a much smaller island – only 7 square miles (18 square km) total – and has fewer hotels. The hotels are set along the 3-mile-long (5-km) Playa El Paso. Paragliding and kite-surfing are popular down here, and you’ll often see a handful of kite-surfers whipping across the waves at Playa El Paso. The best beach in the area is at the western tip of Cayo Guillermo—Playa Pilar is home to a lovely white-sand beach backed by dunes. The restaurant here serves local seafood and cold beer.

Location: Ciego de Ávila, Cuba
Area: 18 km2