Cayo Largo history

Historical Roots and First Mentions

Unlike many Cuban cities with centuries-old colonial architecture, Cayo Largo has a different origin story. It is not a city in the traditional sense, but a limestone island in the Los Canarreos Archipelago, which remained uninhabited for a long time.

• Pre-Columbian Era: Initially, the island was visited by the Siboney indigenous people, who used it as a temporary stopover for fishing and hunting. Archaeological findings confirm the presence of indigenous inhabitants long before the arrival of Europeans.
• Discovery by Europeans: It is believed that Christopher Columbus landed on this shore in 1494 during his second expedition to the New World.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of Cayo Largo was defined by its specific geographical location and natural features, which attracted completely different crowds in various eras.

• Geography and Isolation: Its distance from the "mainland" (the island of Cuba) and complex waterways made the island an ideal hideout.
• The Age of Piracy: In the 17th and 18th centuries, the island became a legendary base for corsairs and pirates. Famous figures such as Francis Drake and Henry Morgan used local bays to repair ships, replenish fresh water supplies, and, according to legends, hide looted treasures.

Transformation into a Tourism Hub

For a long time, Cayo Largo remained a corner of wild nature, known only to fishermen and charcoal producers. Its modern "founding date" is linked to the decision to turn the island into a tourist paradise.

Active infrastructure development began only in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was then that the first hotels and an airstrip were built, marking the birth of Cayo Largo as a world-class resort focused exclusively on relaxation and unity with nature.

Key Milestones in the History of Cayo Largo

• 1494 — Christopher Columbus lands on the island during his second expedition to the New World.
• 17th–18th Centuries — The island serves as a temporary base and shelter for Caribbean pirates and corsairs, including Francis Drake.
• 19th Century — The territory remains practically uninhabited, visited only by seasonal fishermen and turtle hunters.
• 1977 — The Cuban government decides to develop tourism on the archipelago and begins infrastructure construction.
• 1982 — Opening of the first hotel, Isla del Sur, and the official launch of Cayo Largo as an international resort.
• 1995 — Commissioning of the Vilo Acuña International Airport, allowing direct flights from Canada and Europe.
• 2001 — Following the passage of a tropical storm, large-scale reconstruction of hotels and restoration of the coastline begins.
• 2000s — Opening of the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre, which became one of the island's main eco-attractions.
• 2020s — Implementation of comprehensive modernisation of hotel facilities and service improvements to attract new tourists.

Stages of Development and Their Significance

The history of Cayo Largo is an example of how an uninhabited piece of land was systematically transformed into an autonomous tourism cluster. The main development milestones are related not to the expansion of residential quarters, but to the creation of conditions for comfortable recreation and complex logistics.

• Creation of Autonomous Infrastructure (Early 1980s). Since the island is isolated from the "mainland", the primary urban planning task was the construction of water desalination and power generation systems. This laid the foundation for the functioning of all future hotels and made long-term tourist stays possible.
• Launch of Vilo Acuña International Airport (1995). A key economic breakthrough. The construction of the terminal and the extension of the runway allowed large airliners to arrive directly from Canada and Europe, bypassing Havana, which multiplied the tourist flow.
• Formation of a Maritime Hub (Marina Cayo Largo). The development of the port turned the island into a centre for international yachting and diving. This diversified the resort's economy, attracting active travellers and underwater world enthusiasts, not just beach holidaymakers.
• Renovation after Hurricane Michelle (2001–2002). The destructive element forced a review of building standards. Infrastructure restoration proceeded using more durable materials (concrete instead of wood) and technologies resistant to wind loads, which increased building safety.
• Integration of Ecological Projects. The development of the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre became an important cultural and image-building step. This secured Cayo Largo's status as an eco-resort, where urbanisation is strictly limited to preserve the natural habitat of the fauna.
• Global Management Change (2022). A major modern economic event: the transfer of all island hotels under the management of the large Canadian chain Blue Diamond Resorts. This marked the beginning of a large-scale modernisation of room inventory and improvement of food supply logistics to the island.

Architectural Specifics: A Resort Instead of a City

Unlike Havana or Trinidad, Cayo Largo does not have a centuries-old urban planning history. Here you will not find Baroque cathedrals, colonial squares, or narrow streets of an old town. It is purely a tourist enclave, the development of which began only at the end of the 20th century according to a unified master plan.

The architectural appearance of the island is completely subordinate to its function — providing a relaxed beach holiday. The development is characterised by low density and harmonious integration into the natural landscape.

Architectural Styles and Construction Stages

Instead of a change in historical eras (Renaissance, Classicism), Cayo Largo shows an evolution of resort construction:

• Early Stage (1980s): The first buildings, such as the Isla del Sur hotel, were simple and functional structures. The style can be described as tropical minimalism: the use of local materials, simple geometric shapes, and an emphasis on structural durability in a humid climate.
• The Heyday (1990s – 2000s): The era of building large "all-inclusive" complexes. The modern Caribbean style prevails here. Characteristic features: open lobbies without walls for natural ventilation, the use of palm leaf roofs (palapas) in restaurant and lounge areas, as well as bright, cheerful facade colours.
• Modern Eco-Integration: Recent renovations aim for maximum merging with nature. Buildings are designed not to exceed the height of palm trees (usually 2–3 floors), which preserves the natural horizon line and does not disturb the dune ecosystem.

Urban Zoning and Iconic Objects

Although there are no traditional city districts on the island, its territory is clearly zoned into several functional clusters:

• Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera): Stretching along the southern coast (Lindamar Beach). The main resort complexes are concentrated here, built in a line to ensure sea views from most rooms.
• El Pueblo: A kind of "city centre". This is an artificially created village styled as a colonial settlement. It houses the marina (yacht port), shops, a bank, a clinic, and staff accommodation. The architecture of El Pueblo mimics traditional Cuban courtyards with arches and tiled roofs.
• Vilo Acuña Airport: The terminal building is the island's calling card. Its design, using reed canopies and open spaces, immediately immerses tourists in the atmosphere of a tropical island, setting the tone for the entire journey.

Distinguished Personalities in the Island's History

Although Cayo Largo never had a permanent indigenous population in the usual sense, its convenient geographical location linked the island's history with the names of great explorers, sea wolves, and local heroes.

• Christopher Columbus (1451–1506)
  Discoverer and Navigator
  During his second expedition to the New World in 1494, the famous Genoese landed on the shores of the Los Canarreos Archipelago. It is believed that his ship logs contain some of the first descriptions of the local waters and fauna of these islands.
• Francis Drake (1540–1596)
  English Corsair and Vice Admiral
  The famous "Dragon" used the intricate labyrinths of islets and shoals around Cayo Largo as a strategic base. Here, his ships replenished water supplies and prepared for operations against Spanish galleons heading to Havana.
• Henry Morgan (1635–1688)
  Welsh Pirate and Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica
  According to numerous Caribbean legends, Morgan used the island as a reliable hiding place. Stories of treasures hidden in caves or buried on the white sandy beaches of Cayo Largo remain popular among tourists to this day.
• Jacques de Sores (16th Century)
  French Corsair
  Known for his daring maritime raids, de Sores often took refuge in the waters of Cuba's southern coast. The complex fairway around Cayo Largo served as a safe harbour for his light flotilla, inaccessible to the heavy warships of his pursuers.
• Vitalio "Vilo" Acuña (1925–1967)
  Cuban Revolutionary
  The island's international airport is named after this prominent Cuban figure. Vilo Acuña International Airport serves as the sole aerial gateway to the resort, welcoming tourists from all over the world.