Guardalavaca is the main beach resort of Holguín province, about 65 kilometres north of the city along a winding road through cattle country and hills. The beach itself stretches for 1,200 metres, the sand is white and powdery, and the water stays warm year-round. Directly offshore, coral reefs begin in shallow water — snorkelling is excellent even for beginners, and the reef drops off into deeper water for divers.
The resort has grown considerably in recent decades, with Canadian and European package tourists making up most of the clientele at the all-inclusive hotels strung along the coast. The beach itself, however, remains open to all, and independent travellers staying in Holguín city can reach it by organised excursion or — with more effort — by taxi.
Just inland from the beach, the archaeological site of El Chorro de Maíta preserves the remains of a 16th-century Taíno village and cemetery. It is one of the most significant pre-Columbian sites in the Caribbean, and the small museum on site handles it with genuine respect.