An Unexpected Food Scene: Cayo Largo

If you have clients who are interested in Cuba but are hesitant because of possible recent food shortages; you might want to take a close look at Cayo Largo. The days of un-ripe vegetables and dishes that lack flavor are being replaced with creative and quality cuisine.

TravelPulse Canada is currently on location, staying at Memories Cayo Largo and touring the other 10 hotels on the island, now under Sunwing Travel Group’s Blue Diamond Resorts. We have been pleasantly surprised at the food offerings – which, quite simply, have been elevated due to the Sunwing transaction last year.

In a 10-year deal, Sunwing Travel Group’s Blue Diamond Resorts will be responsible for managing all 11 hotels – a total of 1,348 rooms — on the beach-blessed Cuban island of Cayo Largo, off the nation’s south coast.

Cuba is Sunwing’s biggest destination, and Sunwing is Cuba’s largest single source of tourists.

Managing all the hotels on an island has its big perks – Sunwing was able to negotiate a special agreement with the local authority for importing goods that are separate from the mainland. After all, it’s easier to buy in bulk and distribute among your own entities than it is to import and have to share with other hoteliers.

Carlos de la Cruz, Room Division Manager for all Cayo Largo properties, explained the agreement has been very impactful, but so has the work the individual hotels are doing as they are also starting to grow their own herbs and vegetables on sites, particularly at Memories .

“The agreement for imports is very good, and something the authorities don’t give to everyone. It happened because of the trust and relationship that Blue Diamond and Sunwing have with Cuban authorities. What you’re seeing now is what every guest will experience and the quality will only continue to get better.”

“We have a whole area at Memories Cayo Largo, dedicated to growing tomatoes and herbs like mint for our mojitos, to help reduce what we need to import and for freshness.”

Here’s a sample of the meals we’ve had at Memories Cayo Largo, Sanctuary at Grand Memories and Villa LindaMar.