Cayo Coco

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For other uses, see Cocos Island (disambiguation).

Location of Cayo Coco in Cuba

Cayo Coco (Coco Key) is an island in central Cuba, well known for its luxury all inclusive resorts. It lies within the Ciego de Ávila Province and is part of a chain of islands called Jardines del Rey ("King's Gardens"). The cay is administered by the Morón municipality. It is named for the white ibis, locally called Coco (coconut) birds.^[1]

White sand beach in Cayo Coco

The cay is linked to the mainland by an artificial causeway some 27km long. The construction caused concern among environmentalists as it disturbed the tidal flow and thus life-cycle of waterlife. Despite fears, the wild flamingos still live in the shallow waters and can often be seen from the causeway although not as often as before the construction. A number of gaps were subsequently created in the causeway to restore water flow.

The island of Cayo Coco is linked by a natural causeway to Cayo Guillermo. Still largely wild with swamps and scrubland, the islands boast about a dozen large international hotels spread out. Beaches are very good and the massive coral reef off the north coast attracts divers from around the world. Resorts in the area include NH Krystal Laguna Villas & Resort (formerly El Senador), Melia Cayo Coco, Gaviota Playa Coco, Blau Colonial Cayo Coco, Tryp Cayo Coco, and Sol Cayo Coco.

It also has its own international airport, the Jardines del Rey Airport (Aeropuerto Jardines del Rey) (IATA: CCC, ICAO: MUCC). Since 2005 tourists can fly directly in to the airport on Cayo Coco rather than to an airport on the mainland. Tourists are asked to limit their travel to Caya Coco due to the spread of the H1N1 Swine Flu Influenza due to the close proximity of Mexico. So far there have been 200 cases of Swine Flu in Cuba.