Jardines del Rey Airport

Jardines del Rey Airport is not just a transport hub, but a true gateway to the tropical paradise of the archipelago bearing the same name. Upon stepping off the plane, you will immediately feel the warm sea breeze, as the terminal is located directly on a coral island, surrounded by protected nature. This is an air harbour where your vacation begins from the very first minutes: there is no hustle and bustle of giant hubs here, and the atmosphere is filled with tranquility and the anticipation of relaxing on the snow-white beaches of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.

Features and Advantages of the Airport

Jardines del Rey Airport is designed to simplify the arrival and departure of tourists as much as possible. Its compact size allows you to go through all formalities without wandering through long corridors.

• Tropical Flair: One of the unique features of the airport is the absence of jet bridges. Passengers descend the stairs directly onto the airfield, immediately immersing themselves in the Caribbean warmth and bright sunlight.
• Convenient Location: The airport is located in close proximity to most hotels. The transfer to the hotels of Cayo Coco takes only 15–20 minutes, and to the neighboring island of Cayo Guillermo — about 40 minutes.
• Shopping and Souvenirs: In the departure zone, there are Duty Free shops where you can purchase famous Cuban coffee and cigars before your flight, as well as souvenir stalls with colorful products from local artisans.
• VIP Service: For those who value enhanced comfort, VIP lounges are available where you can relax in coolness and silence, enjoying beverages and snacks while waiting for your flight.

When planning a trip, it is useful to have the airport contacts at hand. Below is the main contact information for Jardines del Rey Airport (CCC).

• Official Website: At the moment, the airport does not have a separate website. Basic information about the air harbours of Cuba can be found on the portal of the Cuban airport corporation ECASA.
• Help Desk Phone: +53 33 309169. Please note that the number may change; it is recommended to verify its validity through your airline or tour operator before departure.
• Address: Aeropuerto Jardines del Rey, Cayo Coco, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
• E-mail: There is no official public e-mail for contacting the airport. For urgent questions, it is better to use the telephone.
• Social Networks: The airport does not have official verified pages on social networks.
• Lost Luggage Information: For all questions related to lost or damaged luggage, you must contact the representative office of the airline you flew with directly. Airline staff are located in the arrival zone.
• Passenger Support Contacts: To obtain information upon arrival or before departure, you can contact the information desk in the airport terminal.

Getting to Jardines del Rey Airport (CCC) from the hotel zone of Cayo Coco or the neighboring resorts of Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Paredón Grande is quite simple, as the transport system here is entirely oriented towards tourists. The main methods are taxis, tourist buses, and car rentals.

Taxis and Transfers are the most popular and reliable option. You can order a car at your hotel reception or use official taxi services. The trip from most hotels on Cayo Coco takes from 15 to 30 minutes. For many tourists traveling on a package tour, a group transfer is already included in the tour price. If you are traveling independently, it is recommended to book an individual transfer in advance to avoid waiting and to be sure of the price.

Tourist Buses operated by Transtur and Gaviota also run between major hotels and the airport. This is a more budget-friendly option compared to a taxi, but their schedule may not always be convenient and is tied to the arrival and departure times of major flights. You can check the schedule at your hotel.

Car Rental is an excellent choice for those who want to explore not only the beaches but also other corners of Cuba. You can rent a car at one of the points at the resort and return it directly at the airport before departure. Jardines del Rey Airport has a parking lot where you can leave a car for a short or long term.

It is important to note that classic public transport, such as city buses or trains, does not exist for trips to the airport on the island. The entire infrastructure is created for the convenience of vacationers. We recommend planning your trip to the airport in advance, especially during the high season, to go through all pre-flight formalities without haste.

Jardines del Rey Airport (CCC), serving the popular resorts of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, is a modern and compact aviation hub. It is designed for the convenience of tourists, so its structure is extremely simple and understandable.

In fact, the airport has one passenger terminal, which serves both international and domestic flights, although the vast majority of them are international charters. Thanks to its small size and logical layout, navigation causes no difficulties even for those visiting for the first time. You will not have to worry about transfers between terminals — everything is located in one building.

The terminal building is clearly divided into arrival and departure zones. Upon arrival, you enter the passport control zone, then the baggage claim hall, and finally pass through customs inspection. The entire path is intuitive. The departure zone includes check-in counters, a security checkpoint, and passport control, after which passengers enter the general waiting hall with several boarding gates. Duty Free shops, souvenir stalls, and small cafes are also located here.

Check-in and screening procedures usually proceed quite quickly, however, during peak hours when several flights are served simultaneously, queues may form. It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2.5-3 hours before the departure of an international flight. This time will be sufficient to go through all formalities without haste, enjoy a cup of Cuban coffee, and buy souvenirs.

The main advice for navigation is simply to follow the signs, which are duplicated in English. Airport staff are accustomed to international tourists and are generally ready to help. The compactness of the airport is its main advantage, so it is practically impossible to get lost here.

Jardines del Rey Airport (CCC) is a relatively modern transport hub, the history of which is inextricably linked with the development of tourism on the northern islands of Cuba. Its grand opening took place on December 26, 2002. The appearance of this airport was a key moment in transforming the Jardines del Rey archipelago, and in particular the resort of Cayo Coco, into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean. It was built to replace the old, smaller airfield on Cayo Coco, which could no longer cope with the growing flow of international charter flights.

The main stage of the airport's development was its construction as a strategic facility capable of receiving large aircraft from Canada, Europe, and Latin America. From the very beginning, it was designed as a modern air gateway oriented towards tourist comfort. Its infrastructure is constantly maintained to meet international standards and ensure fast and convenient transfer of guests to hotels on the islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.

One of the most significant events in the airport's history occurred in September 2017, when the powerful Hurricane Irma hit the region. The elements caused serious damage to the terminal and other infrastructure. However, thanks to rapid and large-scale restoration work, the airport was one of the first facilities on the islands to resume operations. Its quick recovery became a symbol of resilience and played a critically important role in the evacuation of people and the subsequent revival of the region's tourism industry.

Interesting fact: the name of the airport, "Jardines del Rey," translates as "King's Gardens." This historical name was given to the entire archipelago by Spanish conquistadors in honor of King Ferdinand of Aragon. Thus, the airport bears a name imbued with the spirit of explorers. Today, for thousands of travelers, it serves as the starting point for discovering the paradisiacal beaches and turquoise waters of this amazing corner of Cuba.

Jardines del Rey Airport (CCC), despite its modest size, offers passengers all the necessary services for a comfortable start or end to their journey. As the gateway to the popular resorts of Cuba, it is oriented towards the needs of tourists.

Dining and Shopping. The airport has several cafes where you can have a snack, drink coffee, or a refreshing beverage while waiting for your flight. For those who want to take a piece of the island with them, Duty-Free shops are available. Here you can find the standard assortment: famous Cuban cigars, coffee, souvenirs, perfumes, and cosmetics.

Lounges and VIP Service. For passengers preferring enhanced comfort, a VIP lounge is available. for an additional fee, guests get access to a quieter zone with comfortable armchairs, beverages, and snacks. This is an excellent opportunity to relax away from the main bustle of the terminal.

Connectivity and Device Charging. Wi-Fi is available in the terminal, however, connecting usually requires purchasing a special ETECSA card. Connection quality may be unstable. There are power outlets for charging phones and other gadgets in the waiting halls, but their number is limited, so it is better to carry a portable charger.

Financial Services. Upon arrival, you will find a CADECA currency exchange point where you can exchange money for local pesos. This is the most reliable way to get cash. ATMs may also be present at the airport, but their functionality is not always guaranteed.

Additional Services. A medical point operates around the clock at the airport to provide urgent assistance. Basic amenities are available for passengers with children, including a mother and child room. For travelers with reduced mobility, ramps and specially equipped toilets are provided, and staff are ready to assist with boarding and disembarking if a request is made in advance through the airline.

Hotels and Business Services. There are no hotels on the territory of the airport itself. However, it is located in close proximity to the resort zones of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, where many hotels for every taste are located. Specialized conference halls or business centers are not provided at the airport, as it primarily serves tourist flows.

Jardines del Rey Airport (CCC), serving the popular resorts of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, offers passengers basic but sufficient opportunities for a snack before departure. It is important to understand that this is a small tourist airport, so the choice of establishments here will be limited compared to large international hubs.

All dining points are concentrated in the single terminal. The main cafes are located in the "airside" zone, that is, after passing passport and customs control. In the public access zone (landside), the choice is minimal, usually a small kiosk with drinks and snacks, so it is better to plan a full meal once you are in the departure zone.

The menu in local establishments typically includes standard airport dishes: sandwiches (bocadillos), pizza, pastries, and light snacks. From the local flavor, it is worth trying authentic Cuban coffee or enjoying a refreshing local beverage. A sandwich or pastry is perfect for a quick snack, while a portion of pizza or a hot sandwich is suitable for a more substantial lunch.

Specialized options, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or halal dishes, are extremely difficult to find in this airport. If you have strict dietary restrictions, it is strongly recommended to bring food with you. Prices in the airport are tourist-oriented and noticeably higher than at the resorts. The operating hours of establishments are directly tied to the flight schedule — they are open when there are departures and may be closed at other times.

Planning a trip through Jardines del Rey Airport (CCC) on the island of Cayo Coco will be easier if you consider a few useful tips. This small but important airport for tourists serves one of the most picturesque resort regions of Cuba. Here are several recommendations that will help make your journey as comfortable as possible.

Arrival Time and Check-in. For international flights, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure. Although the airport is small, queues for check-in and security control can be significant during peak hours and the tourist season. Ensure you have all necessary documents at hand: passport, tourist card (visa tarjeta), and flight tickets.

Seat Selection on the Plane. If you want to enjoy stunning views of the turquoise waters and coral reefs surrounding the islands, choose a window seat. For greater comfort and the ability to stand up freely during the flight, an aisle seat is suitable.

Hand Luggage. Hand luggage standards here are the same as in most international airports. Liquids — only in containers up to 100 ml, packed in a transparent bag. Always keep valuables, documents, medicines, and portable electronics with you. Remember the restrictions on exporting local goods, particularly tobacco products.

Customs Control. Upon entry and exit, you will need to fill out a customs declaration. Declare all imported and exported valuables honestly. When exporting art or large quantities of cigars, special receipts and permits may be required. Be prepared for possible baggage inspection.

Saving Time and Money. If possible, check in for your flight online. Exchange only a small amount of money at the airport for urgent needs — the rate here may be less favorable than in hotels or banks at the resort. Prices for food and drinks at the airport are quite high, so it is better to bring a light snack with you.

Transit Passengers and Flight Delays. Jardines del Rey Airport mainly serves direct charter flights, so transit passengers are rare here. If you do have a transfer planned, check the baggage transfer procedure with the airline in advance. In case of a flight delay, be prepared for limited leisure opportunities at the airport. Download movies or books to your devices in advance and carry a portable charger.