Family-friendly resort in Cuba.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(287 discussions)
Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria sits on one of the Caribbean's genuinely exceptional beaches. Cayo Santa Maria's shores are frequently compared to the Maldives by guests who have visited both - the white sand is fine and deep, the water is a startling turquoise, and the beach gently shelves into a sandy bottom that is safe and easy for all swimmers. For guests whose priority is the beach itself, the location delivers at a level that justifies the trip. The resort's grounds are beautifully maintained, which stands out in Cuba where upkeep often lags, and the staff make genuine efforts to create memorable stays despite working within a challenging supply environment.
The practical experience at Dhawa reflects the realities of the Cuban tourism economy. Supply shortages are real and recurring - bars can run dry of specific spirits for days, restocking is unpredictable, and the understaffing that followed COVID-era closures has not fully resolved. Guests who approach Cuba all-inclusives expecting the logistical reliability of a Dominican or Mexican property will be frustrated. Guests who arrive knowing that Cuban resorts operate differently and appreciate the warmth of staff who work hard within those constraints tend to leave very satisfied. Room quality is uneven, and it is worth following up directly if your room falls short on cleanliness or utilities.
Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria is best suited for beach-focused travelers who have traveled Cuba before and come with calibrated expectations. First-time Cuba visitors often love it if they are flexible; those expecting consistent resort execution get disappointed by things outside the resort's control. It competes directly with Iberostar and Melia properties on the same causeway, where similar trade-offs apply. The beach is the star of Cayo Santa Maria regardless of which resort you choose, and Dhawa's smaller scale gives it a less crowded, more personal feel than the larger complexes.
Pros
- +Stunning beach at Cayo Santa Maria - consistently rated among the top Caribbean beaches with powder-white sand and extraordinary turquoise water
- +Beautifully landscaped grounds with well-maintained tropical gardens that give the resort a lush, polished feel uncommon in Cuban properties
- +Deep sandy-bottom beach means safe, easy swimming without rocky or weedy areas that plague other Cuban cayo beaches
- +Warm, genuinely friendly staff who work hard to create great experiences despite the supply constraints that affect all Cuban resorts
- +A beach grill house and bar right on the water makes for easy, relaxed daytime dining without returning to the main buffet building
- +Boutique scale means smaller crowds on the beach and at the pool compared to the giant resort complexes elsewhere on the causeway
- +Strong food quality by Cuban all-inclusive standards - guests who have visited multiple Cuban resorts rate Dhawa's kitchen above average
- +Remarkable nighttime sky given the low light pollution of the remote cayo location - stargazing from the beach is a frequently mentioned experience
Cons
- −Bars run out of supplies regularly - there are documented instances of only dark rum being available for an entire day due to restocking problems
- −Wi-Fi connectivity is poor and inconsistent throughout the resort; plan to be genuinely offline for the duration of your stay
- −Understaffing issues returning from COVID-era capacity reductions have led to stretched service and longer waits at restaurants and bars
- −Some room cleanliness issues reported, including stained towels, bedding, and showers with low water pressure or dirty grout
- −Front desk and lobby management staff have received complaints about unhelpful or dismissive responses to guest requests
- −Getting off the resort requires organizing transport across the long causeway connecting Cayo Santa Maria to mainland Cuba, making day trips logistically involved
- −Beach towel availability has been a problem, with some guests waiting two days for replacement towels during busy periods
- −Limited entertainment and nightlife programming compared to the larger resort complexes nearby; evenings can feel quiet if the animation team is absent
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“I recently had the pleasure of staying at Dhawa Resort , Cayo Las Brujas, Cuba, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, we were amazed by the beauty of the resort. Very clean rooms , hot water , A/C , safe in the roo...”
“Good family resort, beautiful bay beach almost private (shared with another resort). Nice and clean pools. Good entertainment team, food was good mostly sea food, and Cuban dishes available (rice and beans), some pasta, desserts as well. The snack ba...”
“My partner and I had a lovely stay at the Dhawa Resort. All the staff we interacted with were really friendly and worked hard to please us, and other guests; 5 stars for them. The room we had (read more details below) we rate at 4 stars. We rate the...”