Refugio de Fauna Cayo Santa María


You can forge your own way into what's left of Cayo Santa María's natural habitat in this fauna refuge. A small booth (sometimes unmanned) with various signage is at a bend in the main road just after the Hotel Cayo Santa María. Trails include the Aguada del Bagá (1.2km), the Ensenada de Santa María (1.7km) and Punta Amanecer (5.6km).

It's lightly trodden (most tourists seem to prefer organized day trips).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Playa Las Gaviotas

3.13 MILES

One of the few beaches left on Cayo Santa María not connected to a resort, Playa Las Gaviotas is located inside a nature reserve at the far east of the…

2. San Pascual

13.57 MILES

One of the area's oldest and oddest curiosities is this San Diego tanker, built in 1920 and wrecked in 1933 on the far side of Cayo Francés, just west of…

3. Playa Pilar

20.36 MILES

This much sought-after strip of sand is regularly touted as Cuba's (and the Caribbean's) best beach, courtesy of its diamond-dust white sand and rugged…

4. Los Buchillones

23.82 MILES

Tucked away on Ciego de Ávila Province's northwest coastline, this significant archaeological site was originally excavated during the 1980s after…

5. Museo Nacional Camilo Cienfuegos

26.19 MILES

This excellent museum was opened in 1989 and is eerily reminiscent of the Che Guevara monument in Santa Clara. Camilo fought a crucial battle in this town…

6. Rancho Querete

27.04 MILES

The nexus for the Jobo Rosado Reserve is just off the main road a few kilometers east of Yaguajay and is equipped with a bar-restaurant, natural swimming…

7. Parque Nacional Caguanes

27.25 MILES

Strict conservation measures mean public access to Parque Nacional Caguanes with its caves, aboriginal remains and flamingos is limited but not impossible…

8. Jobo Rosado

29.54 MILES

This 40-sq-km managed-resource area is still little-explored by independent travelers, although organized groups come here. Organize guided hikes through…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "cuba/cayerias-del-norte/attractions/refugio-de-fauna-cayo-santa-maria/a/poi-sig/1553416/1333250",
      "position": "superzone"
    }