Playa Maguana, twenty kilometres north-west of Baracoa, is the best beach within easy reach of the town — a curving kilometre of soft white sand backed by coconut palms, with calm turquoise water protected by an offshore reef. It is essentially undeveloped: a single state-run hotel, a few thatched palapas selling fish and rice to day-trippers, and almost nothing else.
A taxi from town costs around 25 CUC return; the bicitaxi mafia in the centre can arrange a colectivo cheaper. Bring snorkelling gear if you have it — the reef just off the headland at the southern end of the beach is full of small reef fish, sea fans, and the occasional barracuda.