What Is Varadero Known For? 10 Things You Need To Know Before Traveling (2024)

I am fairly sure you have heard about Varadero Cuba at some point, but do you know exactly what Varadero is known for? The long, narrow resort area in Matanzas Province is mostly known for its stunning beaches, high-end resorts, and picturesque sea views.

It is the largest resort area in the Caribbean, situated on the northern shores of Cuba, only 100 miles from Key West, Florida. However, apart from offering a tropical paradise, this part of Cuba also has a rich history to share outside your hotel grounds.

I have traveled regularly to Cuba for five years and visited Varadero many times, staying at various resorts on this white sandy peninsula. Having explored the town and traveling around Matanzas Province, I want to share a bit more of what Varadero is known for.

What Is Varadero Known For?

This listicle highlights ten things that make Varadero special and why it’s a must-visit destination for travelers who love pampering resorts (including adult-only resorts) and Caribbean beaches.

So, let’s dive into what makes Varadero such a unique place!

1. Magnificent Varadero Beaches

Known as one of the best beaches in the world, Varadero boasts over 20 km of pristine white sandy beaches.

Varadero Beach was even voted the second most beautiful beach in the world by TripAdvisor in 2019; the white sands that stretch along the town center are as beautiful as the beach outside the luxurious all-inclusive resorts.

There are plenty of high-end resorts to choose from in Varadero along the miles of white sands.

With crystal clear waters and powdery sand, it’s no wonder why this beach town is a popular vacation spot for tourists who just want to venture off on a tropical holiday to relax and recuperate.

You can even book a casa particular in Varadero Town, which is also just steps from the beach if you prefer to stay out of the large resorts and be a little bit closer to “Cuba”.

2. Perfect Holiday Weather (Mostly)

Varadero has a tropical climate with warm temperatures all year round. Well, most of the year, anyway.

The high season in Varadero starts in December. The perfect time to visit is in the shoulder seasons, March through May, in the dry season when the temperatures are nice and not excruciating. The risk of hurricanes is at its lowest during this period.

The average summer temperature is around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), making it an ideal summer destination for sun-seekers. However, it might be too hot for challenging activities.

If you choose Varadero as your destination, the issue will not be temperatures but rather the wet season and hurricane season in the Caribbean. August through October is the core of the hurricane season here, which you probably should be aware of.

If you really don’t like afternoon showers, you should probably not visit between June and November, as this is the wet part of the two seasons you find in Cuba.

3. Plethora Of Water Sports

With its crystal clear waters, long beaches, and large marina, Varadero is the perfect place to try out various water sports, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and parasailing.

The calm waters and diverse marine life make it a really great spot for both beginners and experienced water sports enthusiasts.

A little to the east of Varadero is one of the largest coral reef systems in the region, Jardin del Rey, or “the king’s garden.” This is a wonderful destination for snorkeling and scuba diving off the Cuban coast.

4. Pampering All-Inclusive Resorts

Varadero is home to some of the most luxurious and all-inclusive resorts in Cuba, maybe apart from the Cuban Keys.

These resorts offer everything from delicious dining options to in-house entertainment, water sports activities, and a lot more, making it the perfect place for a stress-free vacation.

As you are in Cuba, you will not be sheltered from the Cuban salsa casino in any resort; the salsa is something anyone visiting Cuba will get in touch with.

So, why not embrace this opportunity and take a dance class? Odds are, you will not meet a dance partner in your own country who can do the salsa casino like a Cuban!

5. Varadero Golf Club

Golf lovers will definitely appreciate the 18-hole golf course located in Varadero.

With an impeccable location, vast views of the Atlantic Ocean, and challenging holes, this golf course is a place where most golfers will thrive.

I don’t golf myself, but according to the reviews on TripAdvisor, the vast majority of avid golfers are very happy with the facilities on the Varadero golf course, with a few exceptions – as there always are.

6. A Rich Cuban History

Like Cuba, Varadero has a rich history dating back to the early 16th century, when Spanish conquerors first discovered it.

Although there are other destinations in Cuba that better reflect Cuban history, there are some options in Varadero as well. Varadero has a rich history from the first half of the last century, when the rich and famous of the world came here to party.

The reason they needed to was that this was the the heart of the prohibition era in the US, and people with money evaded this small issue by traveling the short distance to Varadero, Cuba, and continuing their lavish lifestyle.

You can explore the town’s history through museums, such as Casa del Ron (House of Rum) and Museo Municipal de Varadero (Municipal Museum of Varadero).

If you want to dig more and immerse yourself in Cuban history, you might want to take a day trip to Havana, Trinidad, or even Santa Clara, where the decisive battle of the revolution took place at the end of 1958.

7. Beautiful Ecological Reserves

Nature lovers will enjoy exploring the ecological reserves in Varadero, such as the Punta Hicacos Ecological Park and the Bellamar Caves.

These natural attractions offer a unique glimpse into Cuba’s diverse flora and fauna, and they are super close to your hotel and do not require a lot of transport.

If you don’t mind a bit of transport time, there are a variety of destinations not so far from Varadero that you might consider visiting, too.

Right before the Varadero Peninsula starts, you can visit Matanzas town, which is famous for its culture, poets, and Afro-Cuban folklore. It also has beautiful colonial architecture, catholic churches, a theater, and a variety of museums.

Trinidad, Cienfuegos, and the infamous Bay of Pigs are across the southern part of the island. You can go here on a day trip, or you can book a casa particular and stay a night or two.

Outside Trinidad and close to Cienfuegos, you find the Toped de Collantes Natural Park, where most visitors love to explore and swim in the waterfalls!

8. Tasty Cuban Cuisine

No trip to Cuba is complete without trying out some of its delicious cuisine, and Varadero is no exception.

You need to try the Ropa Vieja (“old clothes,” which is basically pulled pork Cuban style), fried plantains, arroz morro, and of course the famous Cuban sandwich!!

From mouth-watering seafood dishes to traditional Cuban flavors, you get to dig into a variety of delicious dishes here in Varadero that are not as easily available in other places in Cuba.

Top-rated paladares in Varadero:

• Varadero 60
• Memories Varadero Japanese dining
• Coco Mar Restaurant
• El Meson de Don Quijote
• La Gruta el Vino
• Salsa Suarez
• Kiki’s Club

9. Cultural Sites & Events

Varadero hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year that showcase the vibrant Cuban culture.

Some are evergreen, like the museums and music venues, and others are seasonal.

These events include music festivals, art exhibitions, and traditional dances, providing visitors with a unique experience.

10. Friendly Cuban Locals

Last but certainly not least, Cuba is known for its warm and welcoming people, and Varadero is no different.

Although Varadero consists almost exclusively of large hotels and resorts along the peninsula, local Cubans live in Varadero town, too.

The Cuban people are known for their hospitality and friendly nature, making you feel welcome and right at home in this beautiful beach town.

I do have one piece of advice, though: the personal connection will be more difficult in a high-end resort where they are staff and you are a guest than if you stay in a casa particular.

If you don’t want to stay at an all-inclusive resort in Varadero (or not just in a resort), you can also book a casa particular in Varadero town and stay with a local Cuban family for a few days.

This will give you a chance to connect personally with the local population that you will miss out on in the large resorts. The resort staff will provide you with super service, but the personal connection will be harder to achieve there than if you stay at a casa.

Varadero On The Northern Coast Of Cuba

Varadero is considered to be one of the most beautiful destinations in the Caribbean region, attracting tourists from all over the world with lots of tours, activities, and things to do.

Situated a few hours east of Havana, you can fly to either Varadero Airport or Jose Marti International Airport in the Cuban capital.

You can also make a day trip between Havana and Varadero, although be aware, that will be a rather long day.

This beautiful area offers a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure, making it an ideal vacation spot for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

Why Visiting Varadero Is Not “Visiting Cuba”

Being the unique, complicated, challenging destination it is, what you see in Varadero, Cuba, is very different from what Cuba is today.

In Varadero, you will have a great Caribbean holiday, quite like many other destinations with all-inclusive resorts in the region.

But if you visit Cuba to experience Cuban culture and life, you need to leave the resort bubble on this luxurious peninsula and go exploring other destinations. Explore the art, architecture, history, music, dance, food, and so much more!

FAQs Varadero Cuba

What Is A Fun Fact About Varadero?

Well, the salt mines in Varadero that closed in 1961 actually supplied practically the whole Spanish Latin America Fleet for almost 400 years, from 1587 until just 60 years ago!

Is Varadero Cuba Worth It?

That will depend on what you want to experience when you visit Cuba. If your main goal is to relax in a resort and enjoy water sports and pools, you are in the right place in Varadero.

If you really want to explore Cuban culture and history, Varadero is not the best place for that.

Maybe you can split your holiday up and spend some time in Varadero and some time exploring the other destinations to get the best of both worlds?

Is Varadero One Of The Best Beaches In The World?

Well, TripAdvisor voted Varadero Beach as the second most beautiful beach in the world a few years ago.

So I can safely say that the beach in Varadero is considered one of the best beaches in the world!

Why Go To Varadero?

You go to Varadero for your holiday if you want to have a pampering Caribbean holiday in an all-inclusive resort in Cuba!

Varadero is the largest resort area in the Caribbean region and has a plethora of hotels, resorts, tropical activities, and sights to offer you as a visitor!

Can You Walk Around Varadero?

You can walk around Varadero Town Center, where you find the bus station, restaurants and bars, a market, banks, and Varadero Beach.

However, Varadero town also covers a larger area, and the peninsula that is often referred to as Varadero is super long, over 20 miles.

So you will need a car, a taxi, or take the hop on hop off bus!

Can Americans Travel To Cuba?

Yes, Americans can travel to Cuba.

US citizens can not travel to Cuba as regular tourists, but they need to choose one of the 12 pre-approved reasons for Cuban travel and follow the regulations of Cubas travel restrictions.

Wrap-Up: What Is Varadero Known For

So there you have it: 10 things that are special about Varadero, which I hope are enough for you to decide if It’s a destination for you.

My personal opinion is that Varadero is amazing for a few days of relaxing, but I actually feel like I am not in Cuba when I visit Varadero.

If your objective is to enjoy tropical beaches, pristine waters, and pampering resorts, Varadero is definitely the place for you.

Varaderos resort-haven in Cuba truly has something for everyone who is looking for that, and there are tours and excursions available to explore a little if you feel like it.

So plan your next vacation to this tropical paradise if luxury, water sports, and relaxation are your holiday objectives, and experience all that Varadero has to offer.

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