Varadero Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Varadero

Cuba's history is turbulent and the various occupying forces have been the Spanish, the British, the US, and then Spain once again, until in 1902 the Republic of Cuba was created.

This area is favoured by the majority of visitors to Cuba probably because of its reputation as a "safe option". Plenty of sun, sea, sand and water sports; the closest major resort to Havana. Lots of Italians, Spanish and Canadians.

Accommodation offers a frequently encountered mix of older properties in prime positions but past their sell-by date and newer smarter hotels farther from the centre: some, indeed, are positively isolated. Many are "all-inclusive"; others can't make their minds up and offer both options. It is worth checking the tour operators' brochures carefully with regard to "all-inclusive" promises, as "luxury" items such as motorised water sports and imported drinks are often excluded. More upscale resorts are cropping up towards the end of the peninsula. Generally, 3-star properties will be fairly basic, probably dated and well worn so may disappoint; 4-star is likely to be the minimum acceptable for most people other than real bargain hunters. Without fail, all hotels offer a full entertainments programme, day and night.

Locality:

Varadero is situated on the N coast, 14 mls NE of its own international airport (20 mls NE of Matanzas, the provincial capital, 10 mls NW of Cardenas, the nearest town, 87 mls E of Havana and its international airport). Though commonly referred to as a peninsula, this is in fact a long, flat island, linked to the fairly flat agricultural mainland to the S by 2 bridges towards its W end. The Atlantic Ocean lies on the island's N shore, and Cardenas Bay on its S shore.

Tempting though it would be not to leave the resort, there are several excursions that are available, including a visit to swim with dolphins. The Delfinario has several dolphin shows a day and the dolphins are kept in a natural setting, rather than a constructed theme park as found in similar attractions around the world.

Another must is the day trip to Havana. Havana is known for its vibrant atmosphere, street life, crumbling baroque architecture and the amazing classic cars that seem to keep going despite the odds. Old Havana has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982 and it's the part of the city that tourists really want to see.

Cuba's privileged geographic position, it's broad continental shelf (70.000 square kilometers, with edges almost totally covered by carefully preserved coral reeves), and its crystal clear waters (underwater horizontal visibility of 30 meters, or 98 feet, and tempatures usually higher than 24 Centigrade) make the island an ideal site for diving and snorkling.

The Rumbos Tourism and Recreation Group runs a dolphin sea-quarium that is located 11 km of the Autopista del Sur (the highway connecting Matanzas city with Varadero) and which, in addition to three daily shows, offers the oppertunity of swimming with these graceful, harmless sea mammels. And the Gaviota Marina includes in some of it optional programs a visit to Rancho Cangrejo, on the bay of Cardenas, where the visitor can also enjoy a swim with dolphins.

So even though most hotels have party halls, piano bars, and excellent tourist animation programs, a cheerful, excited crowd can be seen filling the night places, something that the visitor is encouraged to also do.

When the evening comes, the look and the pace of Varadero change, and the more than one hundred exciting discotheques, bars, and night clubs open for the enjoyment of those in search of good time out. So even though most hotels have party halls, piano bars, and excellent tourist animation programs, a cheerful, excited crowd can be seen filling the night places, something that the visitor is encouraged to also do.

In town, the small shopping centre opposite Cuatro Palmas Hotel is as good as it gets, with half a dozen shops and a bar. Out of town the overpriced Plaza las Americas centre between the Melia hotels is a little bigger, with a couple of European designer clothes boutiques and a supermarket stocked with foreign produce, but will not set shopoholics' pulses racing. Other local shops may have the necessities but little else. Several tourist markets in town for T-shirts, handicrafts, hats and general tat. Cigars (see our comments in the Havana resort description) and rum are the things to buy.

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Population: 11.346.700
Languages: Spanish
Currency: Cuban peso
Currency code: CUP
Local Times:
Cuba - Havana

Country Dialling Code: +53

Cuba lies in the northwest of the Caribbean Sea, 90 miles south of Florida, at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico.

Almost the size of England, it is by far the largest island in the Caribbean - in fact, at 744 miles long by an average 60 miles wide, it's as big as all the rest put together. To Columbus it was also the best: he called it "the most beautiful land yet seen by human eye".

Cuba means different things to different people. For some, the name stands for revolution and communism, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. For others, it conjures up retro images of 1950s American cars and glamorous cocktail bars.

The island's history as a haven for gangsters and gamblers has given it a reputation as a macho country - think Ernest Hemingway, deep sea fishing and dusky maidens rolling cigars on their thighs. And then there's its colonial heritage: all those crumbling Spanish buildings and sugar plantations.

In the 1990s Cuba suddenly found itself musical flavour of the month, thanks to the success of the Buena Vista Social Club film and CD. Now it has really taken off as a sunny beach destination, with brochures raving about its idyllic silver sands, swaying palms and turquoise seas, as glorious as any in the Caribbean.

The truth is that you can find a bit of all those things - and more besides. One of the most fascinating things about Cuba is its people. A blend of races and cultures, African, Asian, and European, they're friendly, easy-going and welcoming, despite the fact that rationing and restrictions are a constant part of their lives.

The Cubans' love of music is legendary, and many towns have a regular weekly party night, when everyone gathers in the streets to eat, dance and make merry.

The towns themselves have kept most of their beautiful old buildings (mainly, it has to be said, because there weren't enough funds to knock them down and build new ones), and many of them are now being renovated from their former crumbling, dilapidated state. The faces and facades alone make for a photographer's dream.

Outside the cities the attractions are just as appealing. Hikers can trek through beautiful mountain ranges covered in tropical forest. Ornithologists will be drawn to the marshes and mangroves of the Zapata peninsula, home to more than 160 species of bird.

Snorkellers and scuba divers are lured by the coral reefs that surround most of the island, attracting a wide variety of fish, in perfect viewing conditions.

	Day	Night
Fri	N/A	Scattered T-Storms
Sat	Scattered T-Storms	T-Storms Early
Sun	PM T-Storms	Partly Cloudy
Mon	Scattered T-Storms	Partly Cloudy
Tue	Scattered T-Storms	Partly Cloudy

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