Varadero, Cuba Travel Guide: Tips, Attractions, & What to Expect
Planning a trip to Cuba’s most popular beach resort? This Varadero Cuba travel guide covers everything you need to know before you go. With its long stretch of white sand and clear waters, Varadero attracts plenty of travelers looking for a relaxing break in the sun.
While it’s more resort-driven and touristy than other parts of Cuba, there are still interesting experiences to be found. From natural caves and quiet parks to markets and possible day trips, there’s more to explore beyond the beach if you know where to look.
In this guide, we’ll share the top things to do in Varadero, how to get around, tips for staying safe, and other useful info to help you decide if it’s the right spot for your Cuba itinerary.
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Varadero, Cuba Travel Guide: a Brief Intro
So are you ready to dive into our Varadero, Cuba travel guide? First, let's go over some of the basics!
What is Varadero Known for?
Varadero is one of the most popular resort locations in the Caribbean. It's where you can find some of Cuba's best beaches, and is one of the few cities in Cuba that you can fly directly to from the US and Canada, making it that much more popular for those escaping the cold winters of the north.
Varadero is known for being a beach resort destination.
Where is Varadero Located?
Varadero is a long peninsula jutting out into the Caribbean Sea. It's situated in central Cuba, along the north coast of the island.
You can use the interactive map below, to see exactly where Varadero lies in relation to the rest of the country, as well as the other islands in the Caribbean.
Varadero, Cuba Travel Guide: How to Get There
Now that you know where Varadero is, and why people go there, it's time for the next important part of our Varadero, Cuba travel guide- let's go over the different options for getting there!
How to Get to Varadero, Cuba
Here are the different options for getting to Varadero, Cuba:
- Fly directly to Varadero from Miami, Montreal, or Toronto.
- Take a bus, taxi. or day trip excursion from Havana, Trinidad, or Cienfuegos.
- Rent a car and drive from one of the big cities in Cuba such as Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, or Santiago de Cuba.
Want to know all of the details for traveling to Varadero from other cities in Cuba? You can check out our complete guide below!
Sharing is caring! Share Tweet Pin Looking to visit Cuba's most famous beaches? Well, we're here to help you get there! With limited information on the internet about traveling around the island, we had trouble getting accurate details for how to travel to Varadero. Lucy for you though- we've gathered
Can Americans Go to Varadero?
There is a lot of talk in the past several years about whether or not Americans are allowed to travel to the Cuba. The short answer is yes, but there's also a lot you need to know before you go, including a visa, and proof of reason for visiting.
We have a full guide coming up about this topic, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for when it goes live!
Varadero, Cuba Travel Guide: Where to Stay
Varadero is a lot bigger than you may think! The peninsula it sits along stretches a little over 20 km, so you'll definitely want to make sure you choose a convenient place to stay! No matter where along the peninsula you choose though, the good news is that you'll be steps away from the beach regardless.
We stayed just a few blocks from the bus station, which we found to be super convenient in terms of transportation, restaurants, and shops.
If you're from the US, keep in mind you'll need to book local stays, since Americans aren't supposed to support government-owned businesses in Cuba (we'll cover that further in another guide). Sites like Booking.com and Expedia don't operate in Cuba, but you can hop on Airbnb and find different properties to book there.
All hotels are within walking distance from the beach.
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Varadero, Cuba Travel Guide: Local Adjustments
Now that you know how to get to Varadero, and where to stay, let's dive into the next part of our Varadero, Cuba travel guide - the local adjustments! Here are a few "know before you go" details for visiting this area,
What Language is Spoke in Varadero?
The official language in Varadero is Spanish. Cubans speak very quickly, and tend to mumble a bit, so they can definitely be a bit harder to understand.
What is the Best Currency to Use in Varadero?
The official currency of Cuba is Cuban peso (CUP). If you are visiting from the US, it's important to know that you will be unable to use your credit cards, and will need to pay everything in cash.
We recommend bringing USD, and exchanging a bit to use on small vendors and in restaurants. Ironically, some places like tour agencies, car rentals, and taxi services only use dollars, so make sure not to exchange all you have!
What Plugs Do I Need for Cuba?
Cuba for the most part uses the same outlets at the US, but we also found some outlets in Varadero that were suited for European plugs as well! We'd recommend bringing a travel adapter just in case though, as you never know which one you'll actually need.
Is it Safe to Drink Water in Varadero, Cuba?
The tap water in Varadero is not suitable for drinking, so you'll need to purchase bottled water. We recommend buying a large jug from the supermarket, and then refilling a reusable water bottle with it to be a more eco-friendly traveler.
How Much to Tip in Varadero
Being a pretty touristy place, it's pretty standard to tip in Varadero, whether it's at restaurants or tipping the people in your hotel. 10% is the norm, but you can always tip up to 15% if you have great service.
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Varadero, Cuba Travel Guide: Things to Do & See
Alright, so you know most of the basics of our Varadero, Cuba travel guide. But now for the fun part! Let's check out all of the things to do in Varadero while you're visiting.
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Relax on Varadero Beach
Snorkel or dive at Coral Beach
Snorkel at Cayo Piedra Underwater Park
Take a catamaran trip to Cayo Blanco
Enjoy a sunset sail
Check out Cueva Ambrosio
Visit Cueva de Saturno
Take a day trip to Matanzas & Bellamar Caves
Explore Yumuri Valley
Adventure at Rio Canimar Park
Browse the Markets
Explore Varahicacos Ecological Reserve
Wander through Josone Park
Visit Museo Municipal de Varadero
Explore Cardenas
Enjoy Local Shows at the Varadero Cultural Center
Stop by Casa del Chocolate
Relax at a spa
Play around at Parque Aquatico
Tour the Casa Dupont (Xanadu Mansion)
Go Golfing
Visit Havana for the day
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Varadero, Cuba Travel Guide: Getting Around
There are a variety of ways when it comes to getting around Varadero! Here are the different options you can choose from:
Walking around
Renting a car
Renting a scooter
Using the double-decker bus
Ordering taxis
Classic car rides
If you'd like to learn more, don't miss out on our complete guide for how to get around Varadero!
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Varadero, Cuba Travel Guide: Local Food & Drink
Varadero has a blend of both Cuban and international flavors. It can definitely be a bit touristy, so expect higher prices than you would in other areas of the country. Being along the water, we'd definitely recommend having some local seafood, and enjoying some of the trendy places along the beach.
For food, you'll want to find smaller restaurants off the beach for more authentic flavors and budget-friendly prices. Then, we'd recommend going to some cool restaurants on the water for drinks!
Varadero, Cuba Travel Guide: Safety
The next part of our Varadero, Cuba travel guide goes over a 'not as fun' but equally important topic- safety!
How Safe is Varadero?
Varadero overall felt pretty safe, particularly during the day, and around the resorts. The downtown part of Varadero definitely looked like it has some sketchy people, but nothing to be too worried about it.
Just make sure to keep your wits about you- don't carry expensive valuables with you, dress flashy, or walk alone at night.
Is it Safe to Walk in Varadero?
During the day you should be fine walking around. At night, we'd recommend keeping an extra eye out and traveling in groups.
Varadero, Cuba Travel Guide: Other Things to Know About Visiting
Now you know almost everything you need to know for visiting Varadero, Cuba! But we have one last part of our Varadero, Cuba travel guide for you.
Weather in Varadero
Varadero (and all of Cuba) has two distinct seasons- the wet season from May through October, and the dry season from November through April. Summers are brutally hot and humid, with frequent storms, and winters are sunny, dry, and have mild temperatures.
September and October are peak hurricane season, so we definitely recommend avoiding travel to the Caribbean at this time.
What is the Best Month to Go to Varadero?
The best months to go to Varadero are November to April, which are the dry months. The winter is when Cuba experiences beautifully warm and sunny days, perfect for the beach.
We visited in June, and had awful weather - summers are unbearably hot, humid, and full of mosquitos, so we recommend visiting in the cooler and drier months.
Packing For a Trip to Varadero, Cuba
Varadero is most well known for its beaches, so you should pack like you would for any other Caribbean destination.
Here is our Varadero packing list:
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Is Varadero, Cuba Worth Visiting?
We have to be honest- Varadero was our least favorite city that we visited in Cuba. It seemed entirely too touristy for our liking, and all of the tours were really pricey for Cuban standards.
We had awful weather, so perhaps visiting in the off season would have changed our perspective a bit!
We'd say Varadero is probably worth visiting if you are simply looking to relax, or if you want to have slower days exploring by scooter.
Varadero is ideal for relaxing and enjoying nature.
How Many Days to Spend in Varadero
We'd recommend 2-3 days. This will allow you to experience the main highlights of Varadero, but also give you time to relax and enjoy the beaches without rushing.
Travel Planning Tools
Here are some useful tools that you can use for planning your upcoming trip!
So are you ready to explore Varadero? We hope our Varadero, Cuba travel guide has helped you with any questions you may have had. If you have any other doubts or concerns, feel free to drop them in the comments below!
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