The annual Destinos Gaviota showcase celebrated another milestone year with its latest edition in beautiful Cayo Santa Maria. More than 3,000 industry professionals representing 45 nations gathered for this record-breaking event. 

Destinos Gaviota stands as Cuba's premier tourism showcase, bringing together travel industry professionals, hotel operators, tour operators, and media from around the globe. This annual event serves as the primary platform for unveiling new hotel developments, announcing strategic partnerships, and revealing upcoming attractions across Cuba's resort destinations. More than just a trade show, Destinos Gaviota offers attendees immersive experiences—from property tours and cultural performances to networking opportunities with key industry stakeholders—making it an essential calendar event for anyone involved in Cuban tourism.

During the opening ceremony, Carlos Latuff, President of Gaviota Group, announced exciting developments for the company's portfolio: "We are in a privileged destination, where nature, hospitality, and excellence come together to offer truly unique experiences. And it is precisely here, in Cayo Santa María, that we proudly unveil our newest offerings: Playa Luxury and Playa Kids."

Cayo Santa Maria

But let's start from the beginning. For those who haven't been to Cayo Santa Maria, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cuba, just off the northern coast of the island, in the province of Villa Clara. It is connected by the 48-kilometre-long man-made causeway and consists of three interconnected cays: Cayo Las Brujas, Cayo Santa Maria, and Cayo Ensenachos. The area features over 20 hotels, one marina, a dolphinarium, and its own small airport, creating a comprehensive resort destination.

To make the destination a year-round celebration, Gaviota has unveiled its 2025-2026 event calendar, which includes:

• December 30 to January 2: Cayotonazo
• February 14: Dinner concert featuring the National Ballet of Cuba and Buena Vista Social Club
• June 19 to 21: Coraland
• June 26 to 28: Summer Kickoff
• July 17 and 18: Music Fest Salsa
• August 28 to 30: Music Fest – End of Summer
• September 5 and 6: OceanMan
• November 20 to 22: Journey to the 90s
• December 30, 2026 to January 2, 2027: Cayotonazo

Excursions

Gaviota Tours holds exclusive excursion rights in Cayo Santa Maria, offering everything from catamaran tours (the most popular) to various cultural experiences. Travel agents receive 20% commission when booking tours online directly with operators.

Marcelo Salado Sugar Industry Museum, Caibarién, Villa Clara Province, Cuba

Hotel Updates

The area boasts dozens of hotel options, ranging from recently rebranded properties to brand-new developments. Here is a quick overview of the accommodation options in Cayo Santa Maria:

Grand Aston Cayo las Brujas:

This property is the company’s first resort in Cuba, which opened in 2018 with 660 rooms. The brand now operates five hotels in Cuba, with a sixth planned for January 2026 in Havana. Currently, the brand has over 20 projects signed across the Caribbean region. www.astonhotelsinternational.com

Grand Aston Cayo las Brujas, Cuba

Vila Gale Cayo Santa Maria:

Vila Gale is a Portuguese hotel group which entered the Cuban market in 2023 with the first property in Cayo Paredon, the destination’s latest island development. Earlier this year, Vila Gale visited Toronto with a mission to announce further expansion in Cuba! Now, the hotel brand operates 3 more properties on the island (previously Sirenis hotels): in Cayo Santa Maria, Varadero, and Havana.

The Cayo Santa Maria property boasts 633 rooms. www.vilagale.com

Vila Gale Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba

To help explore Cuba more, Vila Gale offers special packages with a few nights in each of the properties.

Iberostar Ensenachos:

If you want to visit the Cayo Ensenachos, Iberostar is your only and best option! Iberostar Ensenachos is the only company which offers accommodations on this cay. The brand offers two hotel options: Iberostar Selection Ensenachos (family-friendly with 460 rooms) and Iberostar Coral Ensenachos (adults only with 46 villas).

Iberostar Ensenachos, Cuba

Iberostar Cuba has been operating in Cuba for 30 years and offers a wide array of accommodations across the island. For more information, please click here. 

Iberostar Ensenachos, Cuba

One Gallery Resort:

Successfully operating for 2 years now, One Gallery Resort has become a very popular hotel in Cuba, offering endless fun and activities for guests. Currently, it is the last property built in Cayo Santa Maria. It is also unique as it is surrounded by modern artwork, which has been painted by popular international and local artists. 

One Gallery Resort, Cuba

The hotel offers 621 rooms in 14 buildings. Every day, guests can enjoy a different theme, which is accompanied by culinary experiences and entertainment.

One of the reasons why the One Gallery property is soaring in success is the Cayo Santa María Music Fest, which is happening right around the corner from the resort. The festival features performances by iconic 90s artists, international DJs, and beach parties!

A few months ago, Global Agents published a 2025-2026 calendar of the Music Fest days.

Sol Cayo Santa Maria:

Sol Cayo Santa Maria is a 4-star property that reopened in November 2022 (after hurricane Irma and COVID closures) with freshly reconstructed rooms and an adults-only concept. The hotel features close to 300 rooms with max 3 adults per room.

Sol Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria:

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria blends authentic Cuban atmosphere with upscale amenities and meticulous service delivery, creating a distinctive vacation setting exclusively for adult travellers. 

The resort features 122 accommodations ranging from standard rooms to suites, along with a well-equipped fitness facility, flexible dining options without required reservations, and nightly entertainment programming that keeps guests engaged throughout their stay.

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba

Grand Memories Cayo Santa Maria:

Grand Memories Santa Maria delivers a complete family vacation experience with modern amenities and Caribbean warmth. The all-inclusive property offers spacious accommodations across multiple categories, including family zones and an adults-only area. Daily activities range from water sports and fitness classes to poolside fun and evening entertainment, while the supervised Kids Club keeps younger guests engaged. The comprehensive package covers buffet dining, around-the-clock snacks, beverages, daily minibar service, and complimentary safes—letting families relax without worry.

Grand Memories Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba

Located in pristine Cayo Santa Maria off Villa Clara's northern coast, the resort sits amid powdery white beaches and crystal-clear waters. A highlight is the Cayo Santa Maria Dolphinarium, where families can swim with dolphins or watch their acrobatic displays—creating magical memories for all ages. Whether seeking aquatic adventures, quality time together, or peaceful relaxation, Grand Memories Santa Maria provides the perfect Caribbean getaway.

Playa Luxury & Playa Kids

Among all these outstanding resort options, two brand-new concepts are generating particular excitement in the market. As President of Gaviota Group Carlos Latuff announced during the opening ceremony, Playa Hotels is introducing two innovative hospitality experiences:

• Playa Luxury, an elevated hospitality concept that emphasizes premium accommodations, personalized service, and exclusive amenities designed for discerning travellers seeking exceptional comfort and sophistication.     
   
• And Playa Kids, a concept that offers a specially designed family experience featuring dedicated children's areas, activities, colourful themed accommodations, and kid-friendly dining options that create an engaging environment where young guests can safely explore, play, and make memories.

During the Destinos Gaviota, Global Agents has visited two Playa properties: 

Playa Luxury Cayo Las Brujas: 

Formerly known as Ansagna, this adults-only resort features 252 rooms across two beaches. Room service comes standard with luxury accommodations, and all suites are undergoing renovation to achieve luxury status starting December 2024.

Playa Cayo Santa Maria:

Playa Cayo Santa Maria offers an exclusive beachfront experience with three distinct sections to suit every guest’s needs. The Playa Luxury section is an adults-only paradise, featuring personalized butler service, complimentary lobster, soothing massages, and a seamless check-in and check-out experience. There, you can dine anywhere you choose—beach, your room, or garden—and enjoy free transfers with prior booking. With just 2 buildings and 66 rooms, the Playa Luxury area guarantees an intimate, elevated retreat. 

Playa Cayo Santa Maria, Luxury, Cuba

Bonus: The Cigar Bar is an exclusive perk for guests staying in Playa Luxury, though available to others for an additional fee. No matter which section you choose, Playa Cayo Santa Maria promises a luxurious, memorable stay.

Families can unwind in the Playa Kids section, where rooms and decorations are specially designed to delight younger guests. This area includes approximately 160 rooms spread across 4 buildings, providing a playful and inviting atmosphere for families. 

Playa Cayo Santa Maria, Kids, Cuba

For those who prefer a more relaxed, all-ages vibe, the Standard Section features 8 buildings with a range of accommodations to suit everyone.

Cayo Santa Maria is conveniently accessible via Abel Santamaría Airport (SNU) in Santa Clara, located approximately 90 minutes from the cays, with several Canadian airlines providing direct flights. Additionally, a small local airport on the cays handles charter and inter-island flights.

With stunning resort developments, an exciting events calendar, and bold new hospitality concepts, the 2025–2026 season promises to be one of the most dynamic yet for Cayo Santa Maria. 

Destinos Gaviota 2026

As Destinos Gaviota continues to grow in scale and impact, the stage is now set for Varadero to carry the torch in 2026. 

From the pristine shores of Cayo Santa Maria to the legendary beaches of Varadero, Cuba is ready to welcome the world with open arms and unforgettable experiences.

By Kateryna Ivchenko