It is located on the northern coast of Cuba, between the Bay of Dogs (Bahia de Perros) and the Atlantic Ocean.

However this restriction was lifted after 2000 and Cubans who can afford motor transport often visit Playa Pilar on the island.

[1] Many staff who work in the hotels commute from the mainland towns of Morón and Ciego de Avila.

This beach is named after Ernest Hemingway's yacht, the cabin cruiser Pilar.

Access to the island is possible through the Jardines del Rey Airport (Aeropuerto Jardines del Rey) (IATA: CCC, ICAO: MUCC) as well as by means of a long causeway from mainland Cuba to Cayo Coco leading to a second shorter causeway to Cayo Guillermo, connecting the two kays.