Closed until further notice due to hurricane Gustav
The Hotel Colony, on the Isle of Youth, is an ideal base for visiting the world famous scuba diving sites off Punta Frances. Located 46 kms from Nueva Gerona, the hotel/casino was built in 1958 by Batista and opened as a Hilton property just weeks before the Revolution.
Featuring accommodations on the beach in 77 air conditioned rooms (presently under renovations) equipped with fridge, radio, satellite TV and pool. The 23 bungalows have recently been renovated and are a recommended upgrade.
The Island
The Isle of Youth (Isla de la Juventud) at 2200 sq. km. is Cuba's second largest island, next to only the main island. With only 75,000 people, it is Cuba's least populated area. Once a haven for pirates such as Francis Drake and Henry Morgan, it was then called Parrot Island and became the basis for Robert Lewis Stevenson's "Treasure Island".
In a 1902 unilateral move, the U.S. Platt Amendment mandated the Isle of Pines, as it was then known, as outside Cuban boundaries and led to an infusion of over 300 U.S. colonists moving to the island. Only in 1925 did the U.S. recognize the isle as Cuban territory.
In 1955 Batista declared the island a "free zone" which facilitated the construction of many hotels and casinos. However, the Revolution brought an end to the high rollers and returned the island to its inhabitants.
During the 1960's, Castro launched a settlement campaign and began planting citrus trees, now amounting to 25,000 hectares, while thousands of young Cubans took shifts working the fields as a duty to their country. In the early 1970s, schools were set up for foreign students with the hope of helping to educate underdeveloped countries. At the height of this program, 150,000 foreign students resided on the island.
The government footed the bill for the foreign students while the foreign students joined the Cuban youth harvesting the citrus crop between September and December each year. In honor of this very successful and worthwhile endeavor, Cuba renamed the island the "Isle of Youth" in 1978.
Getting There
Flights from Havana to Gerona are $92 round trip. Land transfers between the airport and Hotel Colony can be arranged for $20 per person, return. Taxis are availalbe for $23-25 one way.
Dive Sites
There are 56 sites concentrated along the "Pirate Coast". Declared a marine reserve, diving is only permitted with a guide. Abundant grottoes, canyon walls, caves and shipwrecks make this one of the best dive locations in the world. Of particular interest is the black coral wall, reputed to be the tallest in the world. There are dive sites for all levels of expertise.
Dive Information
For technical specifications and dive pricing, visit our Isle of Youth Dive Page.
| Hotel Colony - Bungalows |
| Meal Plan |
Dec 15, 2007 to Mar 31, 2008
Jly 17 to Aug 31, 2008 |
All Other Dates |
| Sgl |
Dbl |
Sgl |
Dbl |
| CP | $40 | $55 | $37 | $48 |
| MAP | $49 | $74 | $44 | $64 |
| AP | $58 | $91 | $52 | $79 |
| Meal Plan: |
EP = No Meals | CP= Breakfast | MAP = 2 Meals | AP = 3 Meals |
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