📌Province/State
Isla de la Juventud (special municipality); the second-largest island in Cuba, in the Canarreos archipelago, south of the main island. Its capital is Nueva Gerona
📌Best time to go
Dry season (November to April), with sunny days, less humidity and better visibility for diving. Summer (May to October) is hot, humid and rainy, with hurricane risk between August and October
📌Suggested days
2 to 4 days to tour the Presidio Modelo, Nueva Gerona, the rock paintings and, for those who dive, the dives of the southwest
📌Currency
Cuban peso (CUP). The tourist services (diving, transfers, hotels) are usually priced in dollars (USD) or euros. It's best to bring cash to exchange, since ATMs and cards can fail
📌Getting there
A somewhat isolated island: by plane from Havana to Rafael Cabrera airport (GER), about 40 min; or by sea on the catamaran (V2V Empress) from Surgidero de Batabanó (south of Havana), a 2-3 h crossing, with a ticket bought via the Viajando app or the Viajero agency about 15 days in advance. It's best to book in advance due to the limited supply
📌Language
Spanish. At the dive centers and hotels there may be service in English
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🌤️ Clima en Isla de la Juventud
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The Isla de la Juventud is the second-largest island of the Cuban archipelago, after the main island, and a special municipality with a character apart, away from the mass tourist routes. Formerly known as Isla de Pinos (Isle of Pines), it is wrapped in history and legend: a land of pirates and corsairs, the supposed inspiration for Stevenson's 'Treasure Island', home to the famous Presidio Modelo where Fidel Castro was imprisoned, and guardian of one of the most important sets of aboriginal rock art in the Caribbean.
Beyond its history, the island offers nature and sea: pine forests (which gave it its old name), quiet beaches, a south coast of dark sand and, above all, one of the best diving destinations in Cuba at Punta Francés and the Cabo Francés area, in the southwest, with sunken ships, coral walls and crystal-clear waters. Its capital, Nueva Gerona, is a small, quiet city on the banks of the Las Casas river, a base for exploring the island.
This guide covers the essentials of the Isla de la Juventud with a practical eye: the Presidio Modelo and Fidel's mark, the rock paintings of the Punta del Este Cave, diving at Punta Francés, the beaches and nature, and how to reach this somewhat isolated island (by plane or by ferry/catamaran from Batabanó). It's a destination for curious travelers, lovers of diving, history and the little-traveled corners of Cuba.
📖 History of Isla de la Juventud
The Isla de la Juventud, called Isla de Pinos until 1978, has a singular history. Inhabited by aborigines who left notable rock paintings (Punta del Este Cave), it was for centuries a refuge for pirates and corsairs in the Caribbean, which fed the legend that it inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island'. In the 20th century it housed the Presidio Modelo, an imposing prison where Fidel Castro was imprisoned after the Moncada assault, and it received waves of immigrants (Americans, Caribbeans) and, later, foreign students who studied in its schools, which prompted its name change to 'Isla de la Juventud' (Isle of Youth). The full history is on our history page.
Read the full history →🗺️ What to see
1
Presidio Modelo
An imposing circular prison now a museum, where Fidel Castro was imprisoned after Moncada.
The Presidio Modelo is the most striking monument on the island: a huge penitentiary complex built in the first half of the 20th century, inspired by the 'panopticon' model (which allowed all prisoners to be watched from a central point). Its gigantic circular buildings, today partly in ruins, impress by their scale and their atmosphere. The prison held thousands of common and political prisoners in very harsh conditions.
Its greatest historical relevance is having been the place of confinement of Fidel Castro and the other assailants of the Moncada barracks after their capture in 1953. Fidel spent nearly two years there, in a ward that today is preserved as a museum, before being amnestied and leaving for exile in Mexico. The prison was decommissioned in 1967 and the museum was founded in 1973, in the ward of the former hospital where the Moncada fighters were held. Today you can tour the circular wards and the cells to learn about this chapter of Cuban history.
It's a few kilometers from Nueva Gerona (in the Delio Chacón district), reached by taxi or car. It's open Monday to Saturday from 8 to 4 and Sundays from 8 to 12. A guide greatly enriches the visit; it's best to bring water and sun protection, since the buildings are open to the sky.
ℹ️ Distance: A few km from Nueva Gerona, Delio Chacón district (taxi or car) · Horario: Monday to Saturday 8–4; Sundays 8–12 (verify July 2026) · Entry: Approx. US$ 2–5 / 100–200 CUP per person (source: local island guides, verified July 2026; confirm when you visit) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours
2
Punta del Este Cave (rock art)
Aboriginal rock paintings, among the most important in the Caribbean; the 'Sistine Chapel' of Cuban indigenous art.
In the southeast of the island, in the Punta del Este area, is one of Cuba's archaeological jewels: a set of caves with aboriginal rock paintings, considered among the most important in the Caribbean and sometimes called the 'Sistine Chapel' of Antillean rock art. On the walls and ceilings of the caves numerous motifs are preserved —concentric circles, lines, geometric figures in red and black— attributed to the indigenous peoples who inhabited the island, possibly with an astronomical or ritual meaning.
Visiting this site means peering into Cuba's most remote past and into the worldview of its first inhabitants. The area, within a protected zone, requires coordination for access.
Access to the south of the island usually requires permits and a guide. It's best to organize the visit in advance (permits, guide and transport), since the area is remote and access is regulated.
ℹ️ Distance: Southeast of the island; protected area with regulated access · Best time to go: Dry season (November to April) · Entry: Approx. US$ 5–10 with a guide/permit from the protected area (Ecotur) (verified July 2026; confirm access) · Duration: Half a day to a full day (with transfer)
3
Diving at Punta Francés and Cabo Francés
One of the best diving destinations in Cuba, with coral walls, sunken ships and crystal-clear waters.
The southwest of the island, in the Punta Francés and Cabo Francés area, is one of the great diving destinations in Cuba and the Caribbean. Its waters, of excellent visibility, are home to spectacular coral walls and reefs, underwater caves, abundant marine life and several wrecks (sunken ships), some related to the rich naval history of the area. There are numerous catalogued dive sites, for different levels, and the area is protected for its value.
The area has a dive center (around Punta Francés / the international diving zone), which organizes the dives. For lovers of scuba diving, it's one of the great incentives to visit the island.
Access to the southwest is coordinated with the dive center and requires permits, as it's a protected area. The best time is the dry season, with better visibility. It's best to organize the diving in advance, respect the corals and wildlife and always follow the guides.
ℹ️ Distance: Southwest of the island; protected area, coordinated access · Best time to go: Dry season, with better visibility · Entry: Dive approx. US$ 30–45; multi-dive packages US$ 100–250 (source: the island's dive center / aggregators, verified July 2026) · Duration: Half a day to a full day
4
Nueva Gerona, the capital
The quiet capital on the banks of the Las Casas river, with its main street, its church and local museums.
Nueva Gerona, the capital of the island, is a small, peaceful city on the banks of the Las Casas river, with its pedestrian main street (Calle 39 or 'Calle Martí'), its church, local museums and a relaxed, provincial atmosphere, ideal as a base for exploring. It's the island's service center: here are the hotels, the casas particulares, the restaurants and the arrival point of the ferry from Batabanó.
Near the city is preserved the boat 'El Pinero', the historic vessel that for decades linked the island with continental Cuba and that is tied to the release of Fidel Castro. The city has museums like the Municipal Museum and the Planetarium and Natural History Museum, which help to understand the island's history and nature.
Nueva Gerona is comfortably explored on foot. It's a good base for renting a car or hiring a taxi for the day and heading out to see the rest of the island, which is large and has limited transport.
ℹ️ Distance: Capital of the island; arrival point of the ferry · Best time to go: All year · Entry: Touring the city is free; museums approx. 25–100 CUP per person (verified July 2026) · Duration: Half a day
5
Beaches, pine forests and hot springs (Bibijagua, Reserva de los Indios)
Quiet beaches of dark sand, pine forests, springs and thermal baths that give the island its natural character.
Beyond the history, the Isla de la Juventud is a destination of serene nature. The best-known beach is Bibijagua, northeast of Nueva Gerona, famous for its dark sand (of an almost black color), unusual in the Caribbean, formed by the erosion of the area's marble. It's a quiet beach, frequented above all by the islanders.
The island also preserves its pine forests —which gave it the old name Isla de Pinos— springs and thermal baths, as well as protected areas like the Los Indios Ecological Reserve, on the west coast, of great value for the flora and fauna. In the south, the Lanier Swamp and other wetlands are home to crocodiles and birds.
It's an island to explore without rushing, enjoying the landscape and a slow rhythm, far from mass tourism. To get around it's best to rent a car or hire a taxi for the day, since public transport is limited.
ℹ️ Distance: Bibijagua, northeast of Nueva Gerona; other areas scattered around the island · Best time to go: Dry season; any clear day · Entry: Beaches and pine forests free access; nature reserves may require a guide/permit · Duration: Half a day to a full day
6
El Abra Farm Museum
The farm where the young José Martí served a brief exile on the island, now a historical museum.
On the outskirts of Nueva Gerona is preserved the El Abra Farm, today a museum, an endearing site of Cuban history. Here, in 1870, the young José Martí —then a teenager sentenced to forced labor for his independence ideas— spent a brief period of exile before leaving for exile in Spain. The farm preserves period furniture, objects and documents linked to that episode in the life of the Apostle of Cuban independence.
The setting, at the foot of a hill, is quiet and green, and the visit combines history and nature. It's an interesting stop for understanding the mark that key figures of Cuban history left on this remote island.
It's reached by taxi or car from Nueva Gerona in a few minutes. It's best to confirm the opening hours, which may vary.
ℹ️ Distance: On the outskirts of Nueva Gerona (taxi or car) · Best time to go: All year · Entry: Approx. US$ 1–3 / 25–75 CUP per person (verified July 2026; confirm when you visit) · Duration: 1 hour
💵 Prices
Tickets
| Type | Price |
|---|
| Presidio Modelo (museum) | Approx. US$ 2–5 / 100–200 CUP per person (verified July 2026; confirm when you visit) |
| Punta del Este Cave (with guide/permit) | Approx. US$ 5–10 per person (includes protected-area guide, verified July 2026) |
| Dive at Punta Francés | Approx. US$ 30–45 per dive; packages US$ 100–250 |
| Nueva Gerona museums (Municipal, Natural History) | Approx. 25–100 CUP per person (verified July 2026; confirm when you visit) |
| El Abra Farm (Martí) | Approx. US$ 1–3 / 25–75 CUP per person (verified July 2026) |
| Bibijagua beach and pine forests | Free (open access) |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
Activities and tours
| Activity | Price | Duration | Operator |
|---|
| Visit to the Presidio Modelo (with guide) | US$ 5–15 per person (entry + guide) (verified July 2026) | 1-2 h | Museum / local guides |
| Excursion to the Punta del Este Cave | US$ 25–50 per person (with transport and guide) (verified July 2026) | Half a day to a full day | Ecotur / protected-area guides |
| Diving at Punta Francés / Cabo Francés | US$ 30–45 per dive; full day US$ 70–120 (verified July 2026) | Half a day to a full day | The island's International Dive Center |
| Tour of Nueva Gerona and the island (taxi for the day) | US$ 40–70 for the day (car with driver) (verified July 2026) | Half a day to a full day | Taxi / local guide |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🚌 How to get there and distances
Getting around
| Mode | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|
| Taxi | Short trips US$ 3–8; for the day US$ 40–70 | Variable | For getting around the island and to the sites; it's best to agree the fare and, sometimes, hire for the day. Paid in cash (USD/EUR or CUP), no meter |
| Rental car | Approx. US$ 60–90 per day (depending on category and season) | Variable | Recommended for exploring the island independently (it's large and scattered). Fuel is paid separately and there may be lines to fill up |
| On foot | Free | Variable | The center of Nueva Gerona is explored on foot; almost everything urban is within reach |
| Bus / guagua from the Nueva Gerona terminal | Approx. 5 CUP per ride (cash in CUP) | Variable | From the Nueva Gerona bus terminal guaguas leave to the island's destinations (run by Ómnibus Nacionales), very cheap but with limited services and irregular schedules. Paid in cash in Cuban pesos; it's best to confirm schedules the day before (verified July 2026) |
| Horse-drawn carriages and bicitaxis | Approx. 50–200 CUP per trip (cash in CUP) | Variable | Typical, cheap means for getting around Nueva Gerona and its surroundings; the price is agreed beforehand and paid in cash in Cuban pesos |
| Transport app / payment method | Free app | - | The island doesn't have its own urban bus-tracking app (the Cuban app 'La Guagua' covers, for now, Las Tunas, Holguín and Guantánamo, not the island). What is key is the official 'Viajando' app to book and pay in advance for the catamaran/ferry from Batabanó (tickets up to 15 days ahead, payment via the Transfermóvil gateway). On the island, transport is paid in cash in Cuban pesos (source: Viajero agency / Cuban press, verified July 2026) |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
How to get there
| Route | Airlines / operators | Avg. price | Duration |
|---|
| Havana → Isla de la Juventud (flight) | Cubana de Aviación / Aerogaviota (Rafael Cabrera airport, GER) | Approx. US$ 50–90 per trip (check) | Approx. 40 min of flight |
| Batabanó (Surgidero) → Nueva Gerona (catamaran) | V2V Empress catamaran (since late 2025); tickets via the Viajando app or Viajero agency, 15 days in advance | Residents 200 CUP; foreign tourists approx. US$ 10–25 per trip (source: Cuban press / Viajero agency, verified July 2026; confirm availability) | Approx. 2-3 h crossing |
| Havana → Batabanó (to catch the boat) | Connecting bus, taxi or car | Approx. US$ 10–30 (connecting bus cheaper) | Approx. 1.5 to 2 h by road |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🏨 Where to stay
No exact prices: a scale from $ (budget) to $$$$$ (luxury), with 2-3 options per category.
| Category | Price | Recommended options |
|---|
| Hotels in Nueva Gerona and the island | $$$$$ | US$ 40–80 per night: island hotels like the Hotel Rancho El Tesoro or Villa Isla de la Juventud, practical as a base. Limited supply, it's best to book in advance |
| Casas particulares | $$$$$ | US$ 20–35 per night: the most widespread and recommendable option, family homes in Nueva Gerona and its surroundings, cheap, with homemade breakfast (US$ 3–5) and a personal touch |
| Diving / nature lodging (south/southwest) | $$$$$ | US$ 50–100 per night: options in the southern area for divers and nature lovers, often in packages with the dives; coordinate due to the regulated access |
🍴 Where to eat
| Type | Price | Options / signature dish |
|---|
| Paladares and Cuban creole cuisine | $$$$$ | US$ 5–12 per dish: congrí rice, pork, chicken, root vegetables and fish at paladares and casas particulares in Nueva Gerona |
| Fish and seafood | $$$$$ | US$ 8–20 per dish: fresh fish, lobster and seafood, taking advantage of the island location, at local restaurants |
| Cafeterias and simple eateries | $$$$$ | Approx. 100–400 CUP per dish (US$ 1–4): pizzas, sandwiches, juices and set meals at local-atmosphere cafeterias in the capital |
❓ Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Isla de la Juventud?+
Until 1978 it was called Isla de Pinos (for its pine forests). It changed its name to 'Isla de la Juventud' (Isle of Youth) because it hosted numerous young people and students —Cubans and foreigners, from friendly countries— who studied in schools set up on the island, as part of the educational programs of the time. The new name was consecrated after a consultation and remains to this day.
Is it true that it inspired 'Treasure Island'?+
It's a very widespread tradition: the old Isla de Pinos was a refuge for pirates and corsairs in the Caribbean, and it's said it may have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novel 'Treasure Island'. There is no definitive confirmation, but the legend is part of the charm and identity of the island, full of pirate tales.
What was the Presidio Modelo and how much does it cost to visit?+
It's an imposing circular (panoptic) prison built in the 20th century, where thousands of prisoners were held. Its greatest historical relevance is having housed Fidel Castro and the other assailants of the Moncada barracks after their capture in 1953. Today it's a museum that can be visited; admission runs about US$ 2–5 (or 100–200 CUP), and it's best to go with a guide.
How much does it cost and is diving worth it?+
Yes, very much. The Punta Francés and Cabo Francés area, in the southwest, is one of the best diving destinations in Cuba, with coral walls and reefs, caves, wildlife and sunken ships, in waters of great visibility. A dive costs about US$ 30–45 and multi-dive packages between US$ 100 and US$ 250. It's a protected area, so access is coordinated with the dive center.
How do you get there and how much does it cost?+
There are two routes: by plane, with domestic flights from Havana to Rafael Cabrera airport (GER), about 40 minutes (approx. US$ 50–90); or by sea, on the ferry/catamaran from the port of Batabanó (south of Havana), with a 2-3 hour crossing (approx. US$ 10–25). The island is somewhat isolated, so it's best to organize the trip and book in advance.
How many days is it worth spending?+
With 2 to 4 days you can see the essentials: the Presidio Modelo, Nueva Gerona, the rock paintings (with the necessary coordination) and, for those who dive, the dives of the southwest. The island is large and has limited transport, so it's best to rent a car or hire a taxi for the day (US$ 40–70) to get around.
How do you get around the island and how is transport paid?+
The island is large and scattered and public transport is limited, so the practical option is to rent a car (US$ 60–90/day) or hire a taxi for the day (US$ 40–70). Nueva Gerona is explored on foot, and for short trips there are horse-drawn carriages and bicitaxis (50–200 CUP). From the Nueva Gerona bus terminal guaguas leave to the island's towns for about 5 CUP. All local transport is paid in cash in Cuban pesos: there's no card or QR for the passing tourist. For the boat from Batabanó you book and pay in advance with the official 'Viajando' app (Transfermóvil gateway), up to 15 days ahead.
Sources consulted (11)
- Wikipedia (ES) — «Isla de la Juventud»: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_de_la_Juventud
- Wikipedia (EN) — «Isla de la Juventud»: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_de_la_Juventud
- Wikipedia (EN) — «Presidio Modelo»: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidio_Modelo
- Cuba Travel (oficial) — https://www.cuba.travel/
- Movert en Cuba — Casas particulares (precios): https://www.movertencuba.com/alojamiento-en-cuba/casas-particulares-en-cuba/
- Cuba Travel (oficial) — https://www.cuba.travel/
- Lonely Planet — Isla de la Juventud: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/cuba/isla-de-la-juventud
- Isla de la Juventud (guía local) — Terminal de Catamaranes y Ferry: https://isladelajuventud-cuba.com/terminal-de-catamaranes-y-ferry/
- Isla de la Juventud (guía local) — Autobús «Guagua»: https://isladelajuventud-cuba.com/autobus-guagua/
- Apklis — App oficial 'Viajando' (billetes interprovinciales/ferry, pago Transfermóvil): https://www.apklis.cu/application/cu.sitrans.viajando
- Directorio Cubano — Ruta marítima Batabanó–Nueva Gerona (catamarán V2V Empress): https://www.directoriocubano.info/
