This exceedingly well-kept museum with its gleaming display cases evokes a tangible sense of the history of the famous Cold War episode that unfolded…
Mark Read
Playa Girón
The sandy arc of Playa Girón nestles peacefully on the eastern side of the infamous Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs), backed by one of those gloriously old-fashioned Cuban villages where everyone knows everyone else. Notorious as the place where the Cold War almost got hot, the beach is actually named for a French pirate, Gilbert Girón, who met his end here by decapitation in the early 1600s at the hands of embittered locals. In April 1961 it was the scene of another botched raid, the ill-fated, CIA-sponsored invasion that tried to land on these remote sandy beaches in one of modern history's classic David-and-Goliath struggles. Lest we forget, there are still plenty of propaganda-spouting billboards dotted around rehashing past glories.
These days Girón, with its clear Caribbean waters, precipitous offshore dropoff and multitude of private home-stays, is one of the best places in Cuba to go diving and snorkeling.
Explore Playa Girón
- MMuseo de Playa Girón
This exceedingly well-kept museum with its gleaming display cases evokes a tangible sense of the history of the famous Cold War episode that unfolded…
- CCueva de los Peces
If you don't fancy diving in the sea, head to the Cueva de los Peces, a 70m-deep cenote (sinkhole) on the inland side of the coast road halfway between…
- PPunta Perdiz
Punta Perdiz is a snorkeling and diving spot, 10km north of Playa Girón, where you can glide out from the shore in fish-tank clarity water to a world of…
- CCaleta Buena
Caleta Buena, 8km southeast of Playa Girón, is a lovely protected cove that's perfect for snorkeling and kitted out with a diving office. Admission…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Playa Girón.
See
Museo de Playa Girón
This exceedingly well-kept museum with its gleaming display cases evokes a tangible sense of the history of the famous Cold War episode that unfolded…
See
Cueva de los Peces
If you don't fancy diving in the sea, head to the Cueva de los Peces, a 70m-deep cenote (sinkhole) on the inland side of the coast road halfway between…
See
Punta Perdiz
Punta Perdiz is a snorkeling and diving spot, 10km north of Playa Girón, where you can glide out from the shore in fish-tank clarity water to a world of…
See
Caleta Buena
Caleta Buena, 8km southeast of Playa Girón, is a lovely protected cove that's perfect for snorkeling and kitted out with a diving office. Admission…
Guidebooks
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