There are 41 beaches in Holguin and Guardalavaca, which means watch the cow, was the first one developed back in the 1980s. Fidel Castro opened the first resort with a swim in the pool. Now, Playa Esmeralda, Playa Pesquero sometimes called Costa Verde) and Playa Yuraguanal also have all-inclusive resorts.Playa Yuraguanal is a private stretch of man-made beach approximately 800 meters long located at the west of Guardalavaca.
Guardalavaca has the widest beach and is most popular with the locals. There are even friendly vendors selling coconuts, cold drinks and snacks. Playa Esmeralda, Playa Pesquero and Playa Yuraguanal are significantly more private.
The area’s hotels are all-inclusive properties so most vacationers stay on their resorts. However, you can rent cars and mopeds and swimming with the dolphins at nearby the Bahia Naranjo nature reserve has become a MUST-DO excursion for many visitors.
The Hotel Occidental Grand Playa Turquesa was originally built and intended to be a Club Med resort. Due to political problems, Club Med pulled out of Cuba and Occidental of Spain took over the resort.
The Turquesa is the only resort located on Playa Yuraguanal. The resort was opened in 2003 and features just over 500 rooms housed in 64 separate one or two story villa type buildings spread throughout the property.