Hotel Villa Gran Caribe Isla de la Juventud

About one mile southeast of Nuevo Gerona, amid woodsy surrounds on the eastern bank of the River Las Casas (a suspension bridge leads across the river), this small hotel is run by the Gran Caribe group after years as a totally unimpressive "also-ran" in the Gaviota chain. It's rather a sad testament to the state of things on Isla de la Juventud that this desultory hotel is the best option.

The post-modernist Cubist design makes bold use of the local gray marble hewn from nearby mountains peaking over the treetops. The complex is built around a swimming pool, which draws local families on weekends, when the music gets cranked up and guests seeking peace and quiet are plain out of luck. Facilities here are meager. There's a plain restaurant with gray marble sparkling underfoot, plus a small games room.

Hotel Gran Caribe Rancho el Tesoro

Hotel Gran Caribe Rancho el Tesoro is located in a very calm, beautiful environment, very close to the city of Nueva Gerona, in the province of Isla de la Juventud, about 150 km away from Havana. Rancho el Tesoro was founded in 1956 and is set with good taste in the beautiful surroundings. Hotel facilities are very basic and include only a bar, Cuban cuisine restaurant, a little shop and private parking.

From Rancho el Tesoro hotel you can book various tours to visit main attractions of Isla de la Juventud: Punta Frances National Marine Park, Bibijagua Beach, the Los Indios-San Felipe Natural Preserve, the pictographs in Punta del Este caves and many more.

Gran Caribe Rancho el Tesoro hotel is only 1 star, offers very basic facilities and is recommended for backpackers.