About Cayo Ensenachos

Geographic location

Cayo Ensenachos is a tiny island located off the north coast of Cuba, in the province of Villa Clara. Along with its two neighbors, Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Las Brujas, it forms a mini-archipelago called “Los Cayos de Villa Clara” (aka Cayeria del Norte); and this little group of island is part of a larger archipelago called “Jardines del Rey” (King's Gardens). These cayos are connected to the main island if Cuba by a 48-km causeway Pedraplen. For further information on where Cayo Ensenachos is located and to view maps of the region, please visit our Location and Maps section.

Environment and Beaches

Cayo Ensenachos boasts two spectacular beaches, Playa Enenachos and Playa El Megano, for more information please visit our Beaches section. Cayo Ensenachos is uninhabited (no villages, no cities, no farms). The hotel's employees come to work by bus from the surrounding cities, such as Caibarién, Remedios, Camajuani and Santa Clara.

The Cayos of Villa Clara are part of the Buenavista Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO. The Cuban government is recognized to be environmentally conscious so during the construction of the 48-km causeway, they built a bridge-opening every kilometer to minimize the negative impact of the construction on the local marine life. This connection to the mainland allows an easier access for supplies, but also an easy way for tourists to get off the cayo and explore the region. For further information please visit our sections Attractions & Activities and Tours & Excursions (in the "Things to Do/See" item from the top menu), you will then be redirected to our www.cayosantamaria.info website as the activities, attractions and excursions are common to the three cayos.

How to get there

There’s a small domestic airport on Cayo Las Brujas (code MUBR), but the Abel Santamaria Airport (aka Santa Clara Airport, code: SNU) is the closest international airport to Cayo Las Brujas. For more details on these airports, please visit our Airports section. The transfer from the Santa Clara airport to Cayo Ensenachos takes approximately 90 minutes (100 km). Transfers by air-conditioned bus are usually included when buying a vacation package. Taxis are also available, or you can rent a car. The first hour or so is through the Cuban countryside and small towns and villages, the last half-hour is on the 48-km causeway with the ocean on both side. At the end of the causeway you'll reach first Cayo Las Brujas, then the delfinario (dolphinarium), followed by Cayo Ensenachos, and finally Cayo Santa Maria.

The bus line Viazul serves Cayo Ensenachos from downtown Santa Clara, but not from the airport. For further information on how to get to Cayo Ensenachos by air, by car or by bus, please visit the Getting There section.

Getting Around

The easiest and cheapest way to stroll around the three three cayos is with the open-top double-decker tourist buses called "Panoramic Bus Tour". They stop at every hotel, every plaza (aka pueblo or market) and at the Delfinario; the cost is 5 USD per day (hop-on/*hop-off). The schedule is posted in the lobby of each hotel. Taxis are also available, or you can rent a bicycle, scooter, jeep or car. For further information visit our Getting Around section.

Where to stay and Play

Cayo Ensenachos is a "one-island/one-hotel" concept. The Iberostar Ensenachos is divided into three sections, Park-Suite for families, Spa-Suite for adults (18+), and the luxury villas of the Grand-Village section which is 14+. This 5* hotel is resort-style and all-inclusive.

The Cayos of Villa Clara are also home to a few plazas (commercial centers, aka pueblos) offering a wide range of extra services (off-resort) such as: shopping, restaurants, bars, discotheque, bowling, and entertainment. There's no plaza in Cayo Ensenachos, but there are four of them on the two neighboring cayos: Plaza La Estrella, Plaza Las Dunas, and Plaza Las Terrazas, on Cayo Santa Maria; and Plaza Las Salinas on Cayo Las Brujas.