The extraordinary, powdery, dazzling white beaches of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, the cays that lie off the mainland and jut into the deep aquamarine blue of the Atlantic Ocean, are the primary attractions of Ciego de Avila province. It is a remote area, but one with the infrastructure and natural gifts that make it perfect for idyllic sun, sand, and sea holidays. The namesake provincial capital Ciego de Avila and other towns and cities in this province hold few attractions for visitors.
A little farther east, the predominantly flat, low-lying Camagüey province, southeast of Ciego de Avila, is the largest in the country, though it is also the least densely populated. It occupies the widest swath on the island, 120km (75 miles) from the Atlantic coast to the Caribbean coast. Camagüey, the provincial capital, is Cuba's third-largest city, after Havana and Santiago de Cuba, and is a fine colonial city marked by dozens of churches that is worth exploring. Its architectural wealth was recognized by UNESCO in 2008.
