Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs)

A Gulf of Cazones inlet known as Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs) is situated on Cuba's southern coast. When Cuba's original six provinces were reconfigured into 14 new provinces in 1976, it was moved from Las Villas Province, where it had been included in Santa Clara Province by 1910, to Matanzas Province, where it had been since 1961.

The 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, which was unsuccessful, made the bay significant historically. The region is well-known for its diving, and the bay is home to a variety of marine life, including 30 species of sponges from 19 families and 21 genera.

The Bay of Pigs is more well-known in history than Playa Giron. The Playa Giron of today bears little resemblance to the CIA-backed coup attempt that took place there in the past. The beach, which shelters along the east side of the Bay of Pigs, is a beautiful semicircle of sand. Its amazing background is a quaintly retro Cuban community where everyone knows everyone. There are fantastic snorkeling and diving locations in Playa Giron, so if you enjoy water activities, you're in the correct place.

• Location: Matanzas