Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria: Reviews, Beaches & All Inclusive Guide

If you’ve been eyeing a Caribbean escape but keep hearing mixed things about Cayo Santa Maria’s resorts, you’re not alone. This small island off Cuba’s north coast has quietly become one of the most talked-about all-inclusive destinations in the region—and Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria sits right at the center of that conversation. The resort holds a 4.1 rating on TripAdvisor with over 2,347 guest reviews, which tells you something real before you book. Here’s what you actually need to know before you go.

Location: Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba · Beach: White sandy stretch · Brand: Dhawa (Banyan Tree Group) · All-Inclusive: Yes · Guests love: Service and cleanliness scores

Here’s how Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria stacks up against the verified data from TripAdvisor and Sunwing.

Does Cayo Santa Maria have nice beaches?

Cayo Santa Maria’s beaches consistently rank among Cuba’s finest. The island sits off the north central coast of Villa Clara Province, and its white-sand stretches have earned comparisons to the Caribbean standard-bearers further east. The turquoise waters here are calm and clear, making the beach ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and simply decompressing.

Beach features

The beach at Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria provides direct access to a wide stretch of white sand. Non-motorized water sports are available, and the resort’s beach bar and activities staff keep things lively without overwhelming the natural setting. According to Sunwing’s resort profile, the beach is well-maintained and the water stays warm enough for year-round swimming.

Comparisons to other Cuba beaches

Cayo Santa Maria sits in the same coastal chain as Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco — all part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago. While Varadero remains the most famous beach destination in Cuba, visitors to Cayo Santa Maria consistently describe the sand as finer and the crowds as thinner. The island’s relative isolation (it’s connected to the mainland by a causeway) keeps the water calmer and clearer than beaches closer to major tourist hubs.

How far is Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba from the airport?

Cayo Santa Maria is on Cuba’s north central coast, making it accessible primarily through Abaqueza Airport (IATA: SNNA) near Santa Clara, the capital of Villa Clara Province. The exact transfer time depends on your package operator, but most guests report a drive of roughly 90 minutes from the airport to the resort area.

Nearest airport details

Santa Clara’s airport handles international arrivals, particularly from Canada, which sends the bulk of Cayo Santa Maria’s package tourists via operators like Sunwing and Transat. The drive crosses the Causeway of the Hicacos (also called the Nadia Canyon Bridge), which connects the island to the mainland. The scenery shifts from rural Cuban countryside to coastal mangroves, giving visitors their first taste of the environment they’re about to inhabit.

Transfer options

Most all-inclusive packages through operators like Sunwing include group transfers as part of the booking. Private transfers can be arranged, though they represent a premium expense that most budget travelers skip. The transfer isn’t short, but it’s manageable — and the resorts along this stretch are accustomed to guests arriving after long international flights.

What is Angsana Cayo, Santa Maria called now?

The property now known as Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria has changed names before, a common pattern in Cuba’s resort market where brand management often shifts with ownership or management contracts. The resort currently operates under Dhawa, the lifestyle brand of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts.

Rebranding history

Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria marks Banyan Tree’s first foray into Cuba, according to TripAdvisor’s resort profile. The parent company positions Dhawa as its fourth brand — a lifestyle-focused option that sits between the luxury Banyan Tree flag and the more budget-conscious Angsana label. The brand describes itself as edgy, cool, and sassy, which shapes the property’s aesthetic and programming.

Current name and ownership

Today, the resort carries the Dhawa name and benefits from Banyan Tree’s infrastructure and brand standards. It remains the first and only Lifestyle hotel in Cayo Santa Maria, a distinction that has helped it capture a specific segment of travelers who want modern design without the full Banyan Tree price point. The resort is ranked #1 of 1 all-inclusive properties in Cayo Las Brujas on TripAdvisor — a meaningful signal when there’s essentially no direct competition in that sub-market.

Is Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria all inclusive?

Yes — Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria operates as an all-inclusive resort. The package covers meals, drinks, snacks, and non-motorized water sports, along with access to the main pool, kids club, and animation program. What’s less clear is whether every menu item stays consistently available, since some guests have reported gaps in food and drink service during peak periods.

Package details

The main buffet serves a wide variety of Cuban cuisine, international salads, appetizers, and desserts, according to TripAdvisor guest reviews. Three a la carte restaurants offer specialty cuisine, though guests should check current operating hours and reservation systems — these details tend to shift with staffing levels. A 24-hour snack bar supplements the main dining venues for guests who want something after hours.

What’s included

Based on verified guest feedback and operator listings:

• All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner at main buffet and a la carte venues
• Snacks: 24-hour snack bar in addition to meal service
• Drinks: local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day
• Water sports: non-motorized options like kayaking and snorkeling
• Entertainment: animation program and evening activities
• Kids club: supervised activities for younger guests
• Pools: main pool, kids pool, and beach access

What are Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria reviews like?

Guest reviews paint a property that excels at the basics — clean rooms, friendly staff, good beach — but shows variability in some service details. The 4.1 overall rating reflects a resort that works well for most visitors but doesn’t universallywow.

Guest feedback highlights

TripAdvisor ratings breakdown shows the resort’s strengths clearly: Rooms scored 4.5, Cleanliness 4.4, Sleep Quality 4.4, and Location 4.3. Guests consistently describe the staff as amazing, friendly, and attentive, creating a welcoming atmosphere that many compare favorably to other Cuban resorts they’ve visited.

The main pool draws frequent praise — guests call it massive and say the surrounding grounds are well-maintained. Cleanliness across the property scores high, and the resort’s relatively small, modern footprint gives it an advantage in terms of service consistency over larger Cuban properties.

Common pros and cons