Cuba, a major tourist destination in the Caribbean region, offers a unique combination of traditional sun and beach options with the pristine nature of the islets that make up the Cuban archipelago.

That way, islets of different sizes have been incorporated to the portfolio of tourist options, thanks to the perfect state of preservation of its beaches.

That is the case of Cayo Santa María, which is near the Cuban central province of Villa Clara and has become a place of interest for thousands of foreign visitors every year.

Cayo Santa María, which has an area of 18 square kilometers and at least a dozen kilometers of beaches, is a major option in Cuba's tourist agenda, as it is easily accessed by a causeway over the sea.

Visitors can visit beaches such as Perla Blanca, Las Caletas, Cañón and Cuatro Puntas, which are complemented by an environment that invites to take a refreshing swim at sea.

The islet holds the Royalton Cayo Santa María Hotel, which was considered the world's best All-Inclusive tourist complex by the specialized website TripAdvisor.

The establishment ranks first among the world's 25 most popular hotels, according to the 2014 Traveler's Choice Awards.

The Traveler's Choice Awards acknowledge a total of 100 properties throughout the world, and winners are chosen by the best criteria provided by travelers in several categories, including best hotels, destinations, beaches and favorite restaurants.

Guests at the Royalton Cayo Santa María Hotel, run by the Canadian firm Blue Diamond Resorts, noted on the TripAdvisor website the excellence of services, good treatment by the staff and the beauty of the tourist complex.

The five-star hotel was the first of its kind in Cuba to be inaugurated under the Sun and Beach All-Inclusive concept for adults (guest over 18 years of age).

The hotel offers 122 rooms, including 118 Junior Suites and four Royalton Suites that can accommodate up to two adults per room.

According to experts, the islet is also an ecological destination, because, due to its exuberant vegetation and importance, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated it a Biosphere Reserve.

Cayo Santa María holds vestiges of pre-Columbian cultures in caverns near the beach, and offers beautiful underwater seascapes to diving enthusiasts.

Recreational options include all kinds of nautical sports, tennis, golf, walks, bicycle riding and horseback excursions to nearby towns, including Caibarién, a fishermen's town where tourists can enjoy seafood, and Remedios, which has a well-preserved historic heart.