Are you wondering if Varadero is worth visiting or just looking for a tropical place to travel to but can’t seem to pick the perfect place? I will give you some great reasons you should put Varadero on your travel list If you are going on your first trip this is a perfect place to go. Many people travel to Varadero because of the beautiful beaches and friendly people. Varadero has tons of amenities and lots of activities to do. Here is a list of 10 reasons you should put Varadero on your bucket list
- Amazing people and culture
- The weather is gorgeous
- Easy to get around in
- Beautiful Beaches
- Not overwhelmingly Busy
- There are cities close by
- There is enough to keep you busy on your visit
- Can experience nightlife with the locals
- Great Place to get fabulous pictures
- Tons of things to do
Varadero Cuba Culture
If you are looking to dive right into a new culture a great way to do this is by visiting a country that is unfamiliar to you. Cuban people are mostly friendly and helpful people. Since Varadero is a tourist town many of the locals here can speak English which will take away some of your anxiety if you don’t know how to speak Spanish.
Weather in Varadero
The average daily maximum temperature in Varadero in January is 27 degrees Celsius, and the average daily minimum is 17 degrees Celsius. If you are looking for a hot destination that has great weather then Varadero will be the perfect place for you to visit in the winter months.
Getting Around in Varadero
If you are staying in a hotel close to the downtown area in Varadero you will be very close to amenities such as restaurants, parks, and markets. by staying so close to downtown you won’t have to travel far for things to do.
it will be easy for you to get around. There are many options to choose from, you could walk, take the bus, or taxis are all over waiting. And there are also horses and buggies that go up and down the streets taking people to locations of their choice. Or just tour around the city to get more familiar with the surroundings.
Beaches in Varadero
Varadero has a 21 km beach that has been nearly uninterrupted, The sand there is extremely white and powdery, and the water is extraordinarily blue and beautiful making this one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Playa de Varadero is the perfect place to unwind after a busy day this alone will surely make your visit worthwhile,
If you leave your resort and explore downtown you will be able to access the beach from there as well. Just make sure to pack a little bag of your beach items before you head out for the day. If you need help knowing what to pack for the beach check out my list of items to take with you on the beach.
Not overwhelmingly Busy
Since the population of Varadero is only just over 27,000 it is not very big. Yes, it is a tourist town but compared to Cuba’s capital city Havana, it is not that busy. There is plenty to do and there are crowds but I didn’t find it that overwhelming. Many people don’t leave their resorts and explore downtown so this cuts down on the crowds. It is easy to get around and there is more than enough transportation just waiting to take you on your next adventure.
There are towns & Cities near Varadero
If you have extra days in Cuba or if you are just looking for other things to do after you are done exploring Varadero, you are in luck. There are some bigger cities nearby you can travel to.
Cities and their Distance from varadero
- Cardenas – 32 minutes from Varadero
- Matanzas – 47 minutes from Varadero
- Marti – 1 hour 12 minutes from Varadero
- Jovellanos – 1 hour 2 minutes from Varadero
If you are in for a little more of a drive you could even go to Havana, which is about 2 hours and 18 minutes from Varadero. It would be a great adventure and well worth your time.
Plenty there to keep you entertained
Downtown Varadero has parks, live entertainment, restaurants, and bars. You will also find interesting stores and markets to shop at. You can go to the beach and relax or rent some gear to take out for the afternoon. Rent a scooter and tour around the city so you can go where you would like for the day.
Can experience nightlife with the locals
If you are someone that is a little adventurous or would like to get away from your resort for a while you can do this by exploring the town at night. There are really neat bars that are located in downtown Varadero. You can enjoy the evening out at the local disco. Since you are in a different country you will want to be as safe as you can. It is best to not go out alone.
Bars & Nightlife
- La Comparsita – A great dance club that has live entertainment
- Calle 62 Snack Bar – Live shows music and dancing every night
- The Beatles Bar -Great music with a large patio area
- Bar Varadero 1920 – Located in Parquie Josone, Has very tasty pina cololoda
Great Places to take photos
Since Varadero is extremely beautiful you will have no trouble at all finding great spots to take some amazing photos. Some of the popular places to take photos are:
- Las Americas/Mansion Xanadu (Dupont House)
- Stone tower and metal sculpture of Don Quixote
- Parque Retiro Josone
- Delfinario
- And of course the breathtaking Beach
Tons of things to do
Varadero is a tourist town, therefore it is set up to make sure there are activities to do if you wish. For some of the excursions, you will have to travel a little bit to get to but others are close by. You can swim with the dolphins, and try horseback riding in the area. There are also tours that will take you on rum and sugar tours to learn about the ways of the country.
If you are looking for something to do on the water, there are catamaran tours that will take you out usually to a different island close by, you will have lunch while you are out and experience snorkeling on your adventure, If you are interested in doing one of the popular excursions then you can check with your hotel, they will have a list of the adventures along with time and dates these all take place.
Extra tips for Varadero Travel
- Study a map of the area before you travel there so you are more familiar with the area.
- Know what your resort offers
- Understand the bus route, know where it will take you and what you will be able to see along the way.
- Find out what the hours of operation are for important businesses.
- Learn basic Spanish before you travel to Cuba.
Don’t forget all your important items. For a full list of what to pack for a beach vacation check out my Beach Vacation Checklist