Cayo Coco is the fourth island in terms of size, forming the Cuban archipelago. It is located on the Atlantic coast of Cuba, close to the Canal Viejo de Bahamas. It is linked to the mainland by a 17 kilometre stone road. Its beach is 10 kilometres long, and is of fine sand with warm and crystal-clear water.
As well as many exclusive beach front resorts, Cayo Coco is a reserve for flora and fauna (particularly the coconut the island was named after). Cayo Coco hosts species such as wading birds, the gray heron, and the pink flamingo which total over 30, 000 - among the biggest flocks in the world. It is also favorite habitat for other bird species such as the cormorant, woodpecker, mockingbird, pelicans and many duck species.
Scuba diving sites in the area are rated as some of the best in the world.
Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Cuban Peso (CUP)
Language – Spanish
Land Area – 370 sq km’s
Population – 11,400,000 Cuba
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time – GMT minus five hours
International Country Telephone Code – 1 + 53
Port Location – Due to the US blockade, there are no scheduled
passenger ships and only some cruise ships call at Cuba.
Transport Links - Havana (HVA) (José Martí International) is 15km (9 miles) southwest of the city. There are also international airports at Camagüey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, Santiago de Cuba and Varadero. Cubana operates scheduled services between most main towns but advance booking is essential as flights are limited.
The principal rail route is from Havana to Santiago de Cuba, with four daily trains. Cuba’s national bus service connects all the main towns and suburbs at least once or twice a day. The state-operated, air-conditioned Viazul ‘tourist buses’, connect most major cities and tourist destinations daily. Taxis and chauffeur-driven cars can work out to be as cheap as the bus or train. There are several good and inexpensive car hire companies with representatives at most hotels, and bicycles can also be hired.