- Mosquito Bay (Bahía Mosquito): Best known as one of the brightest bioluminescent bays anywhere, and the reason many people make the trip. Dinoflagellates flash blue-green around your kayak paddle. Go on a moonless night, since a full moon dims the glow. Guided kayak tours run about US$50 to 70 and take roughly 2 hours. Electric boat tours cost a bit less.
- Playa La Chiva (Blue Beach): A long, calm stretch of white sand within the wildlife refuge, with clear shallow water good for snorkeling and floating. Come in the morning before the wind picks up. Free entry, and 2 to 4 hours is a comfortable stay. Bring your own shade and water, as there are no services.
- Sun Bay (Sun Bay Beach, Balneario Sun Bay): The main public beach, a mile-long crescent backed by palms where wild horses graze at the edge.
- Mosquito Bay (Bahía Mosquito): Best known as one of the brightest bioluminescent bays anywhere, and the reason many people make the trip. Dinoflagellates flash blue-green around your kayak paddle. Go on a moonless night, since a full moon dims the glow. Guided kayak tours run about US$50 to 70 and take roughly 2 hours. Electric boat tours cost a bit less.
- Playa La Chiva (Blue Beach): A long, calm stretch of white sand within the wildlife refuge, with clear shallow water good for snorkeling and floating. Come in the morning before the wind picks up. Free entry, and 2 to 4 hours is a comfortable stay. Bring your own shade and water, as there are no services.
- Sun Bay (Sun Bay Beach, Balneario Sun Bay): The main public beach, a mile-long crescent backed by palms where wild horses graze at the edge. Good for swimming and easy for a first afternoon. Parking costs around US$5 to 7 and there are restrooms and showers. Plan 2 to 3 hours.
- Fortín Conde de Mirasol: The last Spanish fort built in the Americas, in Isabel Segunda, now a small museum of local history and archaeology. It is shaded, quiet and has views over the harbor. Admission is about US$3 to 5, and an hour is plenty. Visit mid-morning before it gets hot.
- Esperanza Malecón: The oceanfront walk lined with open-air bars, small restaurants and guesthouses, with views of the bay and the old pier. It is the best place on the island to spend an evening, with live music some nights. Free to stroll, and dinner here fits into 2 to 3 hours. Come at sunset for the best light.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.