Guanabo is the largest and most Cuban of the Playas del Este beach towns — a small resort village where Habaneros have been coming on holiday since the early 20th century. The beach is long and less crowded than Santa María del Mar, and the town has more of a community feel: a main street with small restaurants, houses rented by the week, children cycling, and the general relaxed atmosphere of a place built for Cubans rather than tourists.
Several casas particulares in Guanabo offer the best value beach accommodation near Havana. The seafood at the informal restaurants along the beach road is good and cheap. Guanabo feels more authentic than Santa María del Mar and is worth the extra few kilometres of travel.