Santa María del Mar is the best-known of the Playas del Este beaches — a long stretch of white sand with calm, clear water, fringed by pines and palms. The beach is about 20km east of Havana and is the most popular with foreign visitors, which means it also has the most facilities: beach chairs, water sports rentals, and several restaurants. The water is significantly cleaner than the harbour beaches.
The beach is good for swimming. The best time is early morning or late afternoon when the light is better and the heat more manageable. On weekdays outside peak season, it can be almost empty; at weekends in summer it fills considerably.