15 Cuba 4 star all inclusive hotels: from Varadero to Cayo Coco

Cuba consistently ranks among the three most affordable Caribbean destinations. Varadero stretches along the coast for more than 20 km (on the map), and nearby lie the islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria with coral reefs right off the shore.

Choosing between them is not easy. Each hotel has its own restaurants, its own crowd, and its own vacation vibe. We've rounded up 15 four-star all-inclusive hotels and organized them by resort so you know in advance where it will be quiet, where it will be lively, and which kind of vacation suits you best.

For families with kids, Varadero and Cayo Coco are a good fit. For peace and diving, go with Cayo Santa Maria, and for an adults-only getaway, choose adults-only hotels in central Varadero.

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How to choose a 4-star hotel in Cuba

💡 In short:

• Cuba has three main all-inclusive resort areas: Varadero, Cayo Coco, and Cayo Santa Maria, plus the beaches of Holguin for a quiet getaway.
• A 4-star rating here means a set of services, not a European level of service: several restaurants, bars, a beach, pools, and entertainment.
• The difference between hotels in the same category mostly comes down to location and crowd, not the number of "stars."
• Prices and services: 09/2026, verified on the official Meliá Cuba website.

All-inclusive in Cuba means meals and local alcohol are already included in the price. Imported drinks and some restaurants may cost extra, so check the hotel's list of services before you travel. Hotels on Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria are newer, while Varadero's buildings are older, but you get the town and excursions nearby.

1. Sol Palmeras

© Artur Staszewski · CC BY-SAPhoto: Artur Staszewski, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/), Flickr

A family resort from the Meliá chain on the first line, 8 km from central Varadero (on the map). The grounds are lush with greenery, the buildings form a white crescent facing the sea, and nearby stand bungalows and a large lagoon-style pool. Rooms are decorated in colonial style. The hotel is geared toward families: there's a kids' club, Spanish lessons, and evening shows. Restaurants and bars serve all-inclusive, and active guests can enjoy diving, windsurfing, and sailing.

• Who it's for: families with kids and those who want to step out of their room right onto the beach.
• Not for: those who want Varadero's nightlife close by.
• Location: first line, town center 8 km away (on the map).
• Price: Sol Palmeras prices on Trip.com
• The catch: you need to drive to the town's bars and restaurants, walking is not an option.

2. Be Live Experience Tuxpan

© Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK · CC BYPhoto: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

A resort for families and younger travelers at the start of Varadero's beach strip. The grounds are large and green: a tropical park, a beach, and a lagoon-style pool. The architecture and decor are Mexican-inspired, and rooms are bright with ocean or park views. During the day guests play tennis, golf, and go horseback riding; in the evening there's live music. Kids have a mini club and a children's pool, and on Saturdays the La Bamba club hosts discos.

• Who it's for: families and active couples.
• Location: start of Varadero's beach strip, not far from the airport.
• Price: Be Live Experience Tuxpan prices on Trip.com
• The catch: central Varadero is far away, you'll need transportation.

3. Be Live Experience Varadero

A complex near old Varadero, across from the town beach and not far from the golf club. It's surrounded by a park and consists of a main building, villas, and separate cottages. The restaurants and bars introduce guests to Cuban, Caribbean, and Asian cuisine, and the bars keep a stock of rum and cigars. This is an option for those who want both the beach and the town. In the evening, the nightclub hosts shows and parties, and you can rent a vintage car for trips around the area.

• Who it's for: those who like going into town and living close to infrastructure.
• Location: old Varadero, beach across the street, center within walking distance.
• Price: prices at Be Live Experience Varadero on Trip.com
• The catch: the town beach is busier, and the quiet of the resort strip is not here.

4. Memories Varadero Beach Resort

The resort sits in Varadero Bay with a view of the Mangon Lagoon. The beach is wide, with fine sand and calm water. The complex is made up of two-story buildings, and rooms have spacious balconies facing the ocean or the tropical garden. Dining is spread across several restaurants, and there is a fitness center, a dance school, and massage. For active guests, diving, snorkeling, and excursions to nearby parks are also available. Beach activities include banana boat rides, water skiing, and jet skis, and excursions include Josone Park, Varahicacos, and the Montemar Reserve.

• Who it's for: families and those who value a lagoon view.
• Location: Varadero Bay, beach right by the buildings.
• Price: prices at Memories Varadero Beach Resort on Trip.com

5. Melia Sol Cayo Coco

A resort on Cayo Coco with direct access to two beaches separated by a rocky headland. Coral reefs surround the area, so there are plenty of divers here. Rooms are spacious, with ocean or garden views, and balconies with rattan furniture are good for relaxing in the evening. The Meliá hotels in the area are linked by a wristband system: you can use the facilities of neighboring hotels in the chain. Lobster and international cuisine are served at Don Diego, and beach barbecue is prepared at El Penon.

• Who it's for: families and divers.
• Location: Cayo Coco island, two beaches at the hotel.
• Price: prices at Melia Sol Cayo Coco on Trip.com
• The catch: getting to Varadero and mainland excursions takes several hours.

6. Iberostar Mojito

A resort on Cayo Coco, in the Jardines del Rey archipelago. The long beach leads straight out to a large coral reef, so diving and snorkeling are the main activities here. Rooms are spacious, in Caribbean style, with a balcony or terrace. Several dining areas and bars are available, and a Star Camp kids' club with its own program is open for children. In the evening there are culinary shows, performances, and live concerts, and tropical vegetation flourishes around the pools.

• Who it's for: divers and families with children.
• Location: Cayo Coco island, beach facing the reef.
• Price: prices at Iberostar Mojito on Trip.com
• The catch: the reef near the shore is rocky in places, so it is better to enter the sea in water shoes.

7. Be Live Experience Turquesa

A modern resort on the outskirts of Varadero for families and couples. The highlight: a Cuban village, a scaled-down replica of Varadero as it looked in 1887. Rooms come in standard and upgraded categories, with a balcony or terrace. Dining is split between the main restaurant and several other venues, plus four bars, including a 24-hour one and a cigar bar. A golf club, shopping center, and market are nearby. The main Colina restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while Guantanamera and Portobello offer Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine.

• Who it's for: couples and families interested in Cuban history.
• Location: outskirts of Varadero, beach and lagoon pool on site.
• Price: prices at Be Live Experience Turquesa on Trip.com
• The catch: the golf club and market are nearby, but you need to drive to the city center.

8. Iberostar Playa Alameda

A resort in Varadero aimed mainly at adults. In the lobby with columns, a fountain, and murals, friendly staff welcome you. The grounds are large and well kept, and the rooms are bright, with a terrace or balcony and garden views. Bars and restaurants are available, including premium-brand alcohol on the all-inclusive plan. Entertainment is geared toward adults: cooking and cocktail classes, dancing, a spa, and music evenings. The evening program is rounded out by beach parties and performances by local artists.

• Who it's for: adults and couples.
• Not for: families with small children, the kids' program here is weaker.
• Location: Varadero beach area, gardens on spacious grounds.
• Price: prices at Iberostar Playa Alameda on Trip.com

9. Memories Holguin Beach Resort

© Clobonneau · CC BY-SAPhoto: Clobonneau, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

A quiet resort on Playa Yaraguanal beach in Holguin province. People come here for nature and peace, not for city life. The room inventory consists of standard rooms and suites, and the property has several pools, including children's pools, plus a spa and beauty salon. The restaurants serve continental breakfasts and a la carte dishes: Creole, Italian, and seafood cuisine. The Rocazul bio-park is nearby, and just offshore lies a coral reef with fish, moray eels, and crabs. During the day there is an entertainment program with beach parties and shows in the amphitheater.

• Who it's for: those looking for peace and nature.
• Location: Playa Yaraguanal beach, Holguin province.
• Price: prices at Memories Holguin Beach Resort on Trip.com
• The catch: Holguin is far from Varadero and Havana, a short trip here isn't worth it.

10. Playa Coco

The hotel sits in the Cayo Coco nature reserve, 17 km from the international airport (as the map shows). Around it are palm groves and a long stretch of white sand. The buildings are three stories, colonial style, with classic rooms. On site there are two pools with a children's area, a mini club, a gym, and a spa. Dining is buffet style, plus a la carte venues with Italian and Japanese cuisine. Playa Los Flamencos beach is nearby. In the evening, shows take place in the amphitheater, and during the day dance lessons, tennis, mini golf, and volleyball are available.

• Who it's for: beach and snorkeling lovers.
• Location: Cayo Coco nature reserve, 17 km from the airport (as the map shows).
• Price: prices at Playa Coco on Trip.com
• The catch: you can't get there without an airport transfer, and there's only nature around.

11. Melia Sol Cayo Santa Maria

A resort on the coral island of Cayo Santa Maria, designed for families and young couples. The complex consists of two-story Caribbean-style bungalows, and the rooms are bright with spacious layouts. Panoramic windows look out onto the garden, pools, and sea. The restaurants serve Creole, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisine, and the bars offer a place to cool off in the heat. The property has a clubhouse, fitness center, and spa. Entertainment options include sports courts and relaxing treatments, and the quiet between bungalows makes for a peaceful stay.

• Who it's for: families and young couples.
• Location: Cayo Santa Maria island, bungalows in a garden by the sea.
• Price: prices at Melia Sol Cayo Santa Maria on Trip.com
• The catch: you reach the island via a causeway from Santa Clara airport, and the drive takes time.

12. Melia Tryp Cayo Coco

© gueco8288 · CC BYPhoto: gueco8288, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

This colonial-style resort sits between a natural lagoon and the beach on Cayo Coco island. The windows look out onto a landscaped garden, pools, the beach, and a lake with pink flamingos. Dining is spread across several eating areas and bars, and the terrace serves seafood dishes at sunset. Guests have access to a gym, sports courts, and a spa. For active travelers, deep-sea fishing and boat trips to see dolphins are available and can be booked at the front desk. In the evenings, the nightclub hosts shows and parties.

• Who it's for: families and active travelers.
• Location: Cayo Coco island, between the lagoon and the beach.
• Price: prices at Melia Tryp Cayo Coco on Trip.com

13. Be Live Experience Las Morlas

A complex in the Varadero tourist zone, among palm trees and a white-sand beach. It's designed for a relaxing stay: the rooms are bright, with various occupancy options. The El Coral restaurant serves a buffet with Cuban and international dishes, while Mylos handles Mediterranean cuisine and seafood. Active guests can enjoy golf, tennis, horseback riding, and dance lessons, and on the coast diving, snorkeling, and catamarans await. Entertainment also includes open-sea shark watching and kayaking. The excursion desk runs trips to the island's natural and historical sites.

• Who it's for: active families.
• Location: Varadero tourist zone, beach right by the buildings.
• Price: prices at Be Live Experience Las Morlas on Trip.com
• The catch: some activities are paid or require a reservation, check at the front desk.

14. Roc Barlovento

An adults-only hotel in the center of Varadero. The three-story buildings are Caribbean in style, with double rooms featuring panoramic windows and French balconies. The large green grounds include a beach, a tropical park, and three pools. The La Hacienda restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus there are a la carte venues with Mexican and Mediterranean menus and a sushi bar. In the evening, shows in the spirit of Cuban carnivals take place. There is a yoga room, a tennis court, and sports areas, and the tour desk introduces guests to the island's attractions.

• Who it's for: adults without children.
• Not for: families with children, the hotel does not accept young guests.
• Location: center of Varadero, beach and park on the property.
• Price: prices at Roc Barlovento on Trip.com

15. Labranda Varadero Resort

The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The facilities are extensive: two pools, a gym, courts, a beauty salon, a sauna, and a diving school. There is a mini club for children, and the Mango Disco club opens in the evening. An entertainment program runs for younger guests, and the Pirate's Cave nightclub is nearby.

• Who it's for: families and tennis lovers.
• Location: Varadero beach zone.
• Price: prices at Labranda Varadero Resort on Trip.com
• The catch: there are plenty of courts, but in high season they get booked in advance.

4-Star all-inclusive hotels in Cuba on the map

The map shows that most of the hotels on the list are in Varadero, while the rest are spread across the islands of Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria, and the Holguin province. Logistics matter more than stars here: getting from Varadero to Cayo Coco takes several hours, so for a short vacation it's better not to split your time between resorts, but to pick one.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which Cuba resort should I choose for a family vacation with kids?

Varadero and Cayo Coco are the most convenient for kids. In Varadero, go with Sol Palmeras, Be Live Experience Turquesa, or Memories Varadero Beach Resort: they have a kids' club, children's pools, and a gentle entry into the sea. On Cayo Coco, Melia Sol Cayo Coco and Iberostar Mojito are good options. Holguin is quieter, but farther from the main excursions.

What's included in the all-inclusive package at 4-star hotels?

It usually includes buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner, locally produced snacks and drinks at the bars, pools, beach with loungers, and entertainment. A la carte restaurants and some activities may require reservations at the front desk. The exact list of services varies by hotel, so check it when booking.

When is the best time to go to Cuba for a beach vacation?

The dry season runs from November through April: less rain and milder heat. From May through October there are short downpours, and from August through October tropical storms are possible. Outside the high season prices are lower, but some restaurants and activities operate on reduced hours.

Are there adults-only hotels in Cuba?

Yes, Roc Barlovento in central Varadero does not allow children. It's a quiet option for couples and those who want peace by the pool and evening shows without kids' entertainment. The other hotels on the list welcome families, while Iberostar Playa Alameda is geared mainly toward adults.

Where's the best diving and snorkeling in Cuba?

The coral reefs are best around Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria: the reef comes close to shore, so snorkeling is accessible right from the beach. From the list, that's Melia Sol Cayo Coco, Iberostar Mojito, Melia Tryp Cayo Coco, and Melia Sol Cayo Santa Maria. Holguin also works, but it takes longer to get there.

In short: what's worth booking

If you're traveling with kids: go with Sol Palmeras or Be Live Experience Turquesa in Varadero, where the beach is close to the buildings and there's a kids' club. If you want diving: Iberostar Mojito on Cayo Coco. If you want an adults-only vacation without kids: Roc Barlovento. If you're looking for peace and nature: Memories Holguin Beach Resort. Compare dates and prices in advance: all 4-star Cuba hotels on Trip.com.