Cayo Coco history

Exploration History and Name Origin

Unlike the ancient colonial cities of Cuba, Cayo Coco remained an uninhabited natural paradise for a long time. It is not a city in the traditional sense, but a resort island whose history as a tourist destination began only at the end of the 20th century, although seafarers had known about it for centuries.

• Origin of the Name: The island was named after the White Ibis, which locals call the "Coco" bird. These graceful birds remain a living symbol of the resort to this day.
• The Corsair Era: During the early colonial period, the complex coastline and distance from administrative centres made the island an ideal refuge for pirates and buccaneers.
• Literary Fame: The famous writer Ernest Hemingway often fished off the island's shores. These places inspired him and were mentioned in his novel "Islands in the Stream".

Key Development Factors

The transformation of this wild stretch of land into a popular resort was made possible by a combination of unique geography and engineering solutions.

• Geographical Location: Cayo Coco is part of the Jardines del Rey ("King's Gardens") archipelago, named by Spanish conquistadors in honour of King Ferdinand the Catholic.
• Construction of the Causeway: A decisive moment in the island's history was the construction of a 27-kilometre causeway (pedraplén) across the Bay of Dogs in 1988. This road connected the island to the mainland province of Ciego de Ávila and opened the way for builders and tourists.

Early Economic Features

Before the tourism boom, economic activity on the island was minimal and strictly utilitarian in nature.

• Charcoal Production: In the early 20th century, the island was visited by seasonal workers—charcoal burners—who produced charcoal from the mangrove thickets.
• Natural Resources: Besides fishing, the island was used for small-scale limestone and salt extraction; however, no permanent settlements emerged here until the appearance of the first hotels.

Major Development Milestones

The history of Cayo Coco is a journey from an uninhabited nature reserve to one of the most popular resorts in the Caribbean.

• 1513–1514: Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar explores these waters and names the archipelago "Jardines del Rey" in honour of King Ferdinand.
• 17th–18th Centuries: The island's isolated bays serve as temporary shelter for Caribbean pirates and corsairs.
• Early 20th Century: Seasonal camps of charcoal burners harvesting mangrove wood appear on the coast.
• 1940s: Ernest Hemingway explores the local waters on his yacht "Pilar", later describing them in the novel "Islands in the Stream".
• 1980: The state plan for the development of tourism in the Jardines del Rey archipelago is approved.
• 1987: The beginning of a complex engineering project to build a causeway across the sea.
• 1988: Completion of the "pedraplén"—the road connecting the island to the mainland of Cuba.
• 1993: The opening of the first hotel on the island takes place, officially launching international tourism.
• 2002: The Jardines del Rey International Airport is commissioned and begins receiving direct charter flights.
• 2002: Opening of the "El Bagá" nature park, created to introduce tourists to the flora and fauna of the region.
• 2010s: A period of active expansion of the hotel network and the creation of infrastructure for water sports.
• 2018: Completion of a large-scale renovation of the hotel base and restoration of the ecosystem following natural disasters.

Key Stages of Resort Transformation

The development of Cayo Coco is an example of the systematic transformation of an uninhabited territory into an economically efficient tourist zone. The main transformations are associated with creating infrastructure from scratch and integrating the island into the country's transport system.

• Construction of the Causeway-Pedraplén (1988):
  A unique engineering project connecting the island to the "mainland" became the foundation for urban development. This allowed for the logistics of heavy construction materials and ensured daily access for staff from the province, making large-scale construction possible.
• Creation of Life Support Systems:
  Parallel to the road network, water pipelines and power lines were laid from the mainland of Cuba. This solved the critical problem of the lack of fresh water sources on the island and allowed for the design of large hotel complexes.
• Launch of the First Hotel (1993):
  The opening of the Guitart Cayo Coco complex (now Hotel Colonial) marked the economic reorientation of the region. This event transformed a wild nature park into a zone of active foreign economic activity and attracted the first foreign investments.
• Commissioning of the International Airport (2002):
  The construction of its own air harbour, "Jardines del Rey", radically changed logistics. The ability to receive direct wide-body liners from Europe and Canada made the resort independent of transit through Havana and multiplied the tourist flow.
• Formation of Maritime Infrastructure:
  The construction of international marinas (Marina Gaviota) and diving centres allowed for the diversification of the tourism product. The focus shifted from passive beach holidays to active marine tourism, which increased the resort's profitability.
• Post-Hurricane Modernisation (post-2017):
  Infrastructure restoration after Hurricane Irma became a stage of qualitative renewal. Buildings were not just repaired, but modern construction standards were implemented, coastlines were strengthened, and communications in the first wave of hotels were upgraded.

Urban Planning Features: A Resort Instead of a City

Unlike Havana or Trinidad, Cayo Coco does not have a centuries-old history of urban planning. It is a fully planned tourist zone, the development of which began only in the late 20th century. The architectural landscape here was formed not over centuries, but over decades, adhering to a master plan to create an ideal destination for relaxation.

The island's urban planning concept is based on the principle of harmony with nature: the construction of high-rise buildings is prohibited here (usually no higher than 3–4 floors) so as not to disturb the skyline or harm the ecosystem. Hotels are located in enclaves along the coastline, separated by strips of mangrove forests.

Architectural Styles and Trends

Since the island was developed recently, you will not find authentic Gothic or Baroque styles here. However, architects masterfully use stylisation to create atmospheric complexes.

• Neo-Colonial Style (Colonial Revival): The most popular style on the island. Architects recreate the look of old Cuban towns with their tiled roofs, inner courtyards (patios), arched galleries, and cobbled streets. This allows tourists to feel the spirit of colonial Cuba without leaving the resort.
• Caribbean Tropical Style: Characterised by the use of natural materials (wood, stone), open terraces, thatched roofs (palapas) in relaxation zones, and a vibrant colour palette. Buildings are designed to ensure natural ventilation and sea views.
• Modern Resort Functionalism: New hotels built in recent years tend towards more concise forms, panoramic glazing, and minimalism in interiors, whilst preserving tropical accents.

Iconic Structures Shaping the Island's Look

Despite the absence of historical monuments, Cayo Coco has objects that have become its architectural calling cards.

• Hotel Colonial Cayo Coco: The pioneer of the island's tourism industry. This complex is designed as a miniature replica of a colonial town with its own "village" square, a church (serving a decorative or cultural function), and little streets. It set the architectural tone for many subsequent buildings.
• Jardines del Rey Airport: An example of modern transport architecture adapted for the tropical climate. The terminal features spacious halls and elements reminiscent of traditional Caribbean structures, creating a holiday mood immediately upon arrival.
• "Pueblo" Squares: Special shopping and entertainment zones have been created on the island (for example, Plaza Los Flamencos), styled as the centres of small Caribbean towns, where shops, restaurants, and places for walking outside the hotels are concentrated.

Notable Figures in the Region's History

Since Cayo Coco remained an uninhabited nature reserve for a long time, its "population" consisted of temporary guests. The list of significant persons here is formed by explorers, adventurers, and creators whose destinies crossed paths with this corner of the Caribbean Sea.

• Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar (1465–1524)
  Role: Spanish conquistador, first Governor of Cuba.
  Historical Significance: It was he who led an expedition along the northern coast in 1513–1514. Admiring the beauty and abundance of the local nature, Velázquez gave the archipelago, which includes Cayo Coco, the majestic name Jardines del Rey ("King's Gardens"), dedicating the discovery to the Spanish monarch.
• Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961)
  Role: American writer, Nobel Prize laureate.
  Historical Significance: He made the region world-famous even before the appearance of hotels. Hemingway often fished in the waters around Cayo Coco on his yacht "Pilar" and searched for German submarines here during the Second World War. The local landscapes are described in detail in his famous novel "Islands in the Stream".
• Henry Morgan (c. 1635–1688)
  Role: Welsh privateer, pirate, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica.
  Historical Significance: A legendary figure of the piracy era. He used the intricate labyrinths of mangrove thickets and hidden bays of the archipelago as a safe haven for repairing ships and hiding from the Spanish fleet.
• Gregorio Fuentes (1897–2002)
  Role: Cuban sailor, permanent captain of Hemingway's yacht.
  Historical Significance: He was the writer's main guide in the dangerous reef waters of Cayo Coco. His deep knowledge of local geography and sea tales formed the basis of many literary plots about Cuba. He is considered one of the prototypes for the character in the novella "The Old Man and the Sea".
• Jacques de Sores (16th Century)
  Role: French corsair.
  Historical Significance: Known for his daring attacks on Spanish colonies (including the burning of Havana), de Sores was active in the waters of the archipelago. The islands served as a strategic point for his flotilla, allowing him to control sea routes off the northern coast of Cuba.