Playa Ancón

The four-kilometer-long beach is fabulous, with sugary white sand and pavonine waters fringed with pines and palms offering shade. Choose your section carefully as parts of the beach shelve into rocky waters with sea grasses. Cuban couples and families come to picnic, but for the most part this beach is the preserve of tourists at the two all-inclusive hotels (you can buy day passes to use the facilities). Topless bathing is tolerated. The sea is perfect for snorkeling, though during certain times of year a microscopic sea lice (agua mala or caribe) can cause all manner of nasty infections.