Varadero is a relatively exclusive part of Western Cuba, abundant with private hotels, gorgeous white beaches and the country's only full golf course. The fantastic beaches with clear turquoise warm water makes this an island lovers paradise. If you are looking for "real life Cuba", this part resembles it the least.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Varadero is a resort town on the 30-km-long Hicacos Peninsula, off the northern coast of Cuba. The peninsula's shoreline offers the best beaches in Cuba, as well as one of its largest tourist destinations. It first gained popularity with American millionaires (before the revolution and embargo), and was apparently Al Capone's vacation spot. In the 1990s a large hotel-building campaign transformed Varadero into a mostly four- and five-star all-inclusive resort destination. These are primarily filled with Canadian tourists, with their all inclusive packages being one of the most accessible winter time beach get-aways from Canada.
Many visitors do not stray far from their package tour hotel. Depending on how close to the town of Varadero your hotel is located, many opportunities to explore either on foot or with a vehicle are present. Visitors staying at Varadero beach hotels (pretty much from the Internacional Hotel or past) end up walking the beach. Any trip to town will require a ride.
Parque Josone – A park in the middle of Varadero filled with birds, vendors, music and camel rides for the kids. Varadero Museum. 1 Old Tower. An old tower of some sort, with no description anywhere. There's stairs to the top, but they're very sketchy. (updated Jan 2023)
Beach – The white sandy beaches of Varadero are considered the best in Cuba. All shorelines are open to the public and the beach generally gets better further out in the peninsula. So especially if you're staying at the base of the peninsula, find a way out to either the town center or by some of the nice resorts to enjoy the best Varadero has to offer. Delfinario – A dolphin show with the option to actually swim with the captive dolphins, about US$15 for the show and US$85 for the show + swim. However, you should reconsider whether this is actually a proper way to treat animals. Cuevas de la Bellamar (Bellamar Caves).
Many packages are "all-inclusive" at major resorts, especially those further up the peninsula. These cater primarily to North American tourists, who make up the bulk of visitors. Some of them do offer room/hotel packages (EP, or European Plan), but they are becoming harder to find. Most hotels past the golf course are all-inclusive by circumstance, as there are few nearby restaurants. There is a very good restaurant at the Marina, and several at the International Shopping Centre.
The Mojito is Cuba's signature drink. Made with freshly crushed mint, lime juice and white rum it is a unique delicious flavour. Second to the Mojito is the Cuba Libre, a combination of rum, cola and lime juice. Cristal beer can be had for a dollar a can. It is a good tasting light pilsner. Mayabe is another good beer, not as light at Cristal and not as heavy as the much stronger Bucanero or Bucanero Fuerte. Most all inclusive resorts stock both Cristal and Bucanero. Caney is made in the former Bacardi factory on the east end of the island. It is Cuba's premium brand of rum. It's available in Carta Blanca (white), or traditionally darker varieties of differing aging quality.
Cuba in general, and Varadero in particular, are very safe places for travellers. Varadero is pretty strictly a tourist enclave, with limited access for locals, and routinely policed. Elsewhere in Cuba is much different. It is, however, arguably the safest country in the Caribbean for travelers, including single women. Use your common sense and you'll be fine. Credit card scam at Varadero Airport – This scam involves storekeepers in small shops taking out a purchase as a cash advance on your credit card.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Nov, Varadero typically sees ~28°C daytime highs and 6 rainy days.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-11-03. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy