Varadero, Cuba
Tourism Information
Varadero is Cuba's most renowned and popular beach
destination.
Varadero is the common name for the entire
length of the Hicacos Peninsula. The peninsula, which takes
its name from a local spiny cactus, is 21km (13 miles) long,
with a nearly continuous broad band of fine white sand
fronting a clear blue sea. Backed by mangroves and the calm
waters of Cárdenas Bay, it is less than a mile wide at its
widest point. Large resort hotels line a large percentage of
the entire length of this peninsula.
Home to indigenous populations and a base camp for itinerant
Taíno and Carib fishermen, Varadero was largely ignored
throughout the Spanish colonial period. While it was first
developed as a summer retreat by some 10 families from
Cárdenas in 1887, its real potential as a tourist
destination was realized relatively late. The first hotel
was built here in 1910, and U.S. industrial magnate Irénée
Dupont built his Xanadú Mansion here in 1926. A small cadre
of celebrities and gangsters followed, including Al Capone.
Still, at the time of the Revolution, there were only three
hotels in Varadero. Today, there are over 55, with more than
15,000 rooms . . . and construction continues.
Cuisine
Restaurants specializing in Asian, Cuban, Italian, Spanish
and international cuisine as well as barbecued meat and
shellfish promise satisfaction for every taste. Cafeterias
offer lighter meals and fast food as well. Coppelia Ice
Cream Parlour has countless flavours of creamy Cuban ice
cream.
Entertainment
Varadero’s plentiful cabarets feature Cuban and
international drinks and rhythms. Theatres and the
Amphitheatre host variety shows, while others, such as the
International Festival of Music and the Electronic Music
Festival feature many genres of popular music. Movie
theatres show Cuban and foreign films (in the original
language with Spanish subtitles).
Sightseeing
Deep in the cliff overlooking Matanzas Bay is Bellamar Cave,
one of the Caribbean’s largest and most beautiful
underground formations. Two kilometres of underground
passages are covered in peculiar stalagmites, stalactites
and calcite crystals.
Getting There By Plane
The Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport
(tel. 45/61-3036; airport code VRA) is located 18km (11
miles) west of Varadero, roughly midway between Matanzas and
Varadero. Direct charter and scheduled commercial flights
arrive in Varadero from Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Cancún,
Nassau, Montego Bay, and most major European hubs. The major
international carriers servicing Varadero include Air
Canada, Air Transat, British Airways, Condor, Martinair,
Mexicana, KLM, and LTU. A taxi between the airport and
Varadero should cost CUC$20 to CUC$30.
What to do in Varadero
There is a wide variety of options for the visitors
throughout the day: scuba diving in caverns, parachute
jumps, dolphin shows, sea jungle tours, catamaran excursion, marine
sports, horse riding, deep sea fishing, bicycle tours, and the
golfing. Varadero Golf Club is among the best in the Caribbean.
Famous Varadero beach has over twenty five diving points.
Marines activities: rides on yachts and catamarans, take mini
submarine excursion, the glass-bottom boat to observe diversity of
Caribbean marine lives. Visit Santa Catalina Cave located in Varadero,
unique wonder of the natural world. It has over of 8km passageways,
where evidence of pre Columbian communities was discovered. Ambrosio
Cave, an Amerindian ceremonial site which has preserved over 70
cave paintings. The cave has many species of fauna and secondary
formations with the shape of an umbrella toadstool. With a
total of over 100 discos, bars and nightclubs you will enjoying
stay in Varadero.