Key West, Tropical island at Florida southernmost point, United States
Cayo Hueso, also known as Key West, is a narrow coral-rock island at the southern tip of Florida, USA, with residential streets, sandy beaches, and small marinas. The island is connected to the Florida mainland by the Overseas Highway, a long road that crosses a series of bridges over open water.
Key West was settled by Americans in the early 1800s and grew into a prosperous port thanks to the salvage trade, cigar manufacturing, and sponge fishing. By the 20th century, the navy had a strong presence on the island, and it later became known as a home for writers and artists.
Cayo Hueso is the Spanish name for Key West and translates literally as "Bone Island," likely referring to bones found there by early Spanish explorers. That name hints at the deep Cuban roots of the place, which show up today in the food, the wooden porches, and the laid-back pace of daily life.
The island is compact enough to walk or cycle around, and renting a bike or scooter is one of the easiest ways to get from one end to the other. Most of the shops, restaurants, and historic spots are concentrated in the Old Town area on the western side.
In the 1930s, Key West was declared insolvent and the entire city was essentially handed over to the state of Florida to be rebuilt as a tourist destination. That decision, made out of financial desperation, is the reason so many of the old wooden buildings were restored and are still standing today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
