Cayo Santa María, the White Rose

Located some 20 miles north of central Villa Clara Province, the Santa María key is also known as the White Rose of Jardines del Rey. It is the largest of a group of 500 islets known as Cayos de la Herradura (horseshoe keys), with a total area of over 1300 sq. km., north of which is the world's second largest barrier reef.

Considered the area's flagship island, Santa María is accompanied by the Las Brujas and Ensenachos keys. These are connected to the mainland by a 48 kilometre causeway stretching over the sea with a total of 46 bridges especially designed to allow the fl ow of sea water, thereby protecting both the biodiversity and sustainability of the area. The road was awarded the Puente de Alcántara Award for Best Ibero-American Civil Engineering Project. In addition to its 10 kilometres of white sugar sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, Santa María has been privileged by nature. It is home to many species of reptiles, amphibians, fi sh, birds and mammals, many of them endemic to the area.