Isla de la Juventud, Special municipality island in western Cuba.
The second-largest Cuban island covers 2,419 square kilometers and features dense pine forests, black sand beaches, and limestone formations in the Caribbean Sea.
The island changed its name from Isle of Pines to Isle of Youth in 1978 to commemorate students who helped rebuild after hurricane Alma in 1966.
The Presidio Modelo prison near Nueva Gerona, now transformed into a museum, represents a significant period of Cuban political incarceration from 1926 onwards.
Visitors reach the island through Vilo Acuña Airport in Nueva Gerona or by boat service from Batabano port on mainland Cuba.
The Punta del Este caves contain aboriginal paintings from pre-Columbian times, displaying red and black geometric patterns on limestone walls.
Location: Cuba
Capital city: Nueva Gerona
Elevation above the sea: 20 m
Part of: Canarreos Archipelago
Website: http://gerona.inf.cu
GPS coordinates: 21.75000,-82.85000
Latest update: November 24, 2025 10:55
Cuba combines colonial architecture, tropical landscapes and centuries-old fortifications. From the tobacco fields of Viñales Valley to the colonial towns of Trinidad and Havana, and the waterfalls of Soroa, the island displays its history and natural diversity. The Spanish colonial period left behind fortresses, palaces and cobblestone streets in historic centers. National parks protect karst formations, rainforests and coastal areas. Along the coast lie beaches with turquoise waters and coral reefs. The route passes through different regions of the island, from the mountains of Sierra Maestra to the cayos off the northern coast. Each location shows a different aspect of Cuban culture and nature, whether in the streets of Santiago de Cuba or in the caves of Bellamar.
Ubre Blanca
8.8 km
Presidio Modelo
16.6 km
Zapata Swamp National Park
142.9 km
Ciénaga de Lanier National Park
17.4 km
Carapachibey Lighthouse
34.5 km
Paradise Beach
134.8 km
Playa Roja
18.9 km
Presa Vietnam Heróico
6.8 km
Playa Los Cocos
175.1 km
Playa Gerona
18.9 km
Playa Bibijagua
19.1 km
Embalse Antonio Briones Montoto
17.2 km
Embalse del Medio
15.7 km
Playa Buenavista
24.7 km
Presa Cristal
12.7 km
Playa de Flamencos
20.2 km
Playa Máquina
182.1 km
Playa de las Tunas
75.9 km
Playa Colombo
18.8 km
Playa Larga
32.7 km
Cueva de los peces
182.9 km
El Bosque
16.1 km
Dock Giorgiana y JA 1
184.1 km
Dock Giorgiana and Jardines Agrreesor 1
184 km
Delfinario
180.4 km
Show aborigen
192.1 km
Toronjita Dorada
16.1 km
Punta Francés Marine National Park
36.6 kmReviews
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