| Relaxation, peace and quiet are very much the | | | | of Havana take the 60km journey to Jibacoa |
| watchwords of Cuba's reputation as being an | | | | resort's beach to get away from the hustle |
| exotic holiday hotspot, but as more and more | | | | and bustle of the city. If it's good enough |
| people hear about it, the less and less | | | | for the locals, then it is good enough for |
| relaxing it gets! It's a bit of a catch-22, | | | | you. A small secluded beach that is the |
| but as more and more people are heading on | | | | perfect antidote to the chaos of Varadero's |
| Cuba holidays to the likes of Havana, | | | | miles of sands. Here, it's just you, the |
| Santiago de Cuba and Varadero, it becomes | | | | white sands, then sun and crisp blue water as |
| less and less relaxing. Fortunately, there | | | | far as the eye can see. 4) Markets If you |
| are still some hidden gems on the island that | | | | ever tire of the beach and blissful |
| are clear of the hustle and bustle of tourist | | | | relaxation (what's wrong with you?!), you may |
| life. My pick of these places is the calm | | | | wish to venture from your hotel to Jibacoa's |
| resort of Jibacoa in Cuba. If you're thinking | | | | old town. The sight that will greet you is a |
| of booking into a hotel in Varadero or | | | | street market stretching off into the |
| Havana, consider these selling points first - | | | | distance. For shopoholics, the 15 Mile Market |
| you might just have a change of heart: 1) The | | | | is an attraction to the area in itself, and |
| peace and quiet Jibacoa, Cuba, is the very | | | | here you'll be able to buy everything you |
| definition of a quiet resort. It's | | | | could want, from jewelry, to leather goods to |
| beautifully tranquil - just you and a handful | | | | keepsakes and crafts. With so many stalls to |
| of other visitors enjoying the sunshine and | | | | see, its well worth coming over for a couple |
| the wonderfully calm atmosphere. It's | | | | of visits. 5) Easy Access to Havana Perhaps |
| something of a hidden gem, so you shouldn't | | | | the main reason people don't choose resorts |
| have to compete too much against other Cuba | | | | off the beaten track is because they want to |
| holiday makers. In particular, party animals | | | | have access to the bigger cities, but Havana |
| and families with noisy young children have | | | | is just a 33 miles away from the Jibacoa |
| no interest in the place so won't be on hand | | | | resort! This is close enough to allow you to |
| in Jibacoa's hotels to disturb you. It really | | | | enjoy the bright lights of the city, but able |
| is the best place on the island to unwind | | | | to return to your tranquil Jibacoa hotel when |
| from the stresses of modern life. 2) Scuba | | | | it becomes too much like the busyness of |
| Diving and Snorkeling Just a little way off | | | | everyday life. Sure, it's not the perfect |
| the shore is Jibacoa's coral reef, making | | | | Cuba holiday destination for party animals, |
| this an unforgettable place to snorkel and | | | | who would be better served with Varadero's |
| scuba dive. If you have access to an | | | | delights (though there are places to stay out |
| underwater camera, bring it along, because | | | | all night should you wish for a break from |
| the quantity of tropical sea life beneath the | | | | the relentless calm!), but for everyone who |
| surface is simply astounding, and the kind of | | | | likes an ocean of calm in their hectic lives |
| thing you do not want to forget in a hurry. | | | | - be they couples, families or singles - the |
| If you have no experience of either | | | | beach of Jibacoa, Cuba, is simply an |
| snorkeling or diving, you will have to pass a | | | | unbeatable solution. |
| test - but there are facilities at the | | | | |
| Jibacoa resort to prove you have what it | | | | Emma Lelliott is the general manager of |
| takes to the instructor. It may seem like a | | | | Captivating Cuba, an independent Cuba holiday |
| lot of hassle for a 'relaxing resort', but | | | | specialist. With offices in Havana and the |
| you'll thank me as soon as you get an eyeful | | | | UK, Captivating Cuba can help you tailor-make |
| of the beauty beneath the waves! 3) Beach It | | | | the perfect holiday at the Jibacoa resort. |
| should be enough to tell you that residents | | | | |