Levisa Key... small and wild

By: Josefina Pichardo
Photos: Rolando Pujol

A true paradise on earth, Levisa Key, one of some 160 keys of the Colorados Archipelago, is located on the northern Pinar del Río coast. A tiny and suggestive wild island, extending 2,5 square kilometers is full of charm due to its spectacular sunsets and the course of migratory and resident birds.

The spotlessly clean and solitary Levisa beach, three kilometers longs, dressed in fine sands and turquoise waters have not suffered any artificial or urban transformation. The area surrounding the key is becoming a Natural Park, mainly to protect the manatee (a marine mammalian facing extinction)

Diving, by day or night is the main option for visitors, backed by a diving center properly equipped according to international standards; it encompasses 23 immersion spots, not more that 40 minutes away of navigation from the island platform.

An excellent plaza for diving lovers, these marine beds of great landscape diversity, are immerse among coral reefs, considered among the best of the Caribbean, a part of the Colorados coral reef. That submarine world holds some 500 species of fish, sponges, corals, gorgonians and a Spanish XVII century shipwreck.

This wonder of nature is backed by services to visitors located in Cayo Levisa Villa, a two star Cubanacan Group lodging. Some thirty air conditioned cabins close to the beach, located along a sand strip bathed by the sea, facing the coral barrier, are equipped with double rooms and private baths and all associated services. Particularly appropriate for couples preferring quiet vacations surrounded by a splendid piece of nature.

Cayo Levisa may be acceded by sea from Palma Rubia pier in an enjoyable half an hour cruise. The stay might be combined with tours to other nearby tourist sites as the Guanahacabibes Peninsula proclaimed by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve the Rosario Sierra, the Viñales Valley or Paraíso and Arena Keys.

The privileged Cayo Levisa surroundings have developed into an authentic deluxe product, mainly destined to lovers of nautical sports and wild nature.