Playas de Este (Eastern Havana Beaches) — Chain of Beaches Near Havana: Bacuranao, Mégano, Santa María del Mar, Boca Ciega & Guanabo (Free Public Beach Area)

Playas de Este (“Eastern Havana Beaches”) is the go-to beach escape close to Havana — not one beach, but a chain of beaches that Cuba’s official tourism portal lists as Bacuranao, Mégano, Santa María del Mar, Boca Ciega and Guanabo. It’s promoted as a great area for scuba diving and snorkeling thanks to corals and underwater life along the insular platform. You visit it like a public coastline: pick a beach, swim, chill, and leave whenever.

• Free access to the public beach areas (self-guided beach day).

• Perfect for: Havana visitors who want a quick beach day, families, swimmers, photographers.
• Not ideal if you want “resort-only” facilities everywhere (some stretches are more local/basic).

• Choose a beach in the chain (e.g., Santa María del Mar for the classic beach-day vibe), swim and relax, and optionally book snorkeling/diving with local operators.

• Tickets / price: No entry ticket (public beach area).
• Opening hours: no fixed “attraction hours” — it’s an open coastline; vendors/operators have their own timings.
• Official tourist info point nearby (CubaTravel): Playa del Este Tourist Information Center (Infotur Guanabo) is listed on the official tourist information page.

• Time needed: 2—6 hours (or full day).
• Go earlier for easier transport + fewer crowds on the sand.

Havana’s beach chain: Bacuranao, Mégano, Santa María del Mar, Boca Ciega & Guanabo. Free public access; great for a simple beach day (and reef water sports if you book them).