CU
Varadero
Cuba's Premier Beach Resort
Cuba's Premier Beach Resort
Varadero beach runs the full 20-kilometre length of the Hicacos Peninsula — one of the longest public beaches in the Caribbean. The sand is fine white coral, the water is calm and clear (visibility 10–15 metres), and the temperature ranges from 24°C in January to 28°C in August. The beach is public along its entire length; non-resort guests can access all sections by walking from the road.
💡 The best snorkelling is at the eastern end of the peninsula (near the Parque Josone area and beyond) where the reef is closest to the shore and the water is deepest. Arrive before 9am for calm, flat conditions before the afternoon breeze develops.
The Cueva de Saturno (8km south of Varadero; taxi CUP 300 return; CUP 200 entry) is a freshwater cave system — the entrance pool is open to the sky and sunlit in the morning; beyond it, cave chambers extend 70+ metres into the limestone. The visibility in the cave’s 9–12 metre deep pool is absolute; the cave walls are covered with stalactites and the water is 25°C year-round. Snorkelling gear from €5.
💡 Go at 10am when the sun enters directly through the skylight opening for the finest photography light. The cave is one of the most dramatic natural swimming sites in the Caribbean and is rarely crowded outside weekends.
The Mansión Xanadu (Avenida Las Américas; the original 1920s mansion of American millionaire Irénée du Pont; now a boutique hotel and restaurant) is the finest historic building in Varadero and the only non-resort building of architectural interest on the peninsula. The rooftop bar serves excellent cocktails with panoramic beach and sea views; the adjacent 18-hole golf course (the only one in Cuba; from CUC 40 per round) uses the original 1920s layout.
💡 The Mansión rooftop bar is open to non-guests (no reservation required for drinks). This is the best view in Varadero — the combination of the mansion architecture and the Caribbean sea at sunset — and far better value than the equivalent resort rooftop bar.
The catamaran snorkelling tours to Cayo Blanco (a sandbar island 15km offshore; €40–60 per person including lunch and open bar; depart from the Varadero Marina) give the finest reef snorkelling off Varadero — the offshore reef is more intact and the water clearer than the beach snorkelling. The 4-hour return trip includes 1.5 hours of open-reef snorkelling, lunch, and rum punch.
💡 Book the Cayo Blanco catamaran at the Varadero Marina the day before (not through the resort at a marked-up price). The boats run daily; the morning departure (8am) has the flattest sea conditions.
Varadero eating divides into all-inclusive resort dining (buffet quality; included in room rate) and the town’s paladares. The most reliable paladares are in the western town (Varadero Pueblo), where a full meal with fresh fish and lobster costs CUP 500–800 per person — far superior to resort buffets in freshness and in character. El Bodegón Criollo (Avenida 40 at Calle 40) is the most reviewed paladar in town for traditional Cuban food. La Fondita (Avenida 1 near Calle 25) serves the best lobster on the peninsula at half the resort price. The rum at any state shop in Varadero Pueblo is CUP 350–400 for a full bottle of Havana Club 7-year.
7am: beach swim in flat-calm morning conditions. 10am: taxi to Cueva de Saturno (CUP 300 return; CUP 200 entry; hire snorkel gear at entrance; 1.5h). Return to beach for lunch. 4pm: taxi or scooter east to Mansión Xanadu (rooftop bar; sunset views; cocktail from CUC 5). Dinner at a Varadero Pueblo paladar (La Fondita or El Bodegón Criollo; fresh lobster from CUP 600).
8am: Cayo Blanco catamaran from Varadero Marina (€40–60 per person; book day before at marina; 4h total; includes 1.5h reef snorkelling + lunch + rum punch). Return by 1pm. Afternoon: rent scooter and ride the full eastern peninsula length. Departure day: Viazul to Havana (3h; departs Varadero at multiple times; CUC 10).
The Cuban constitution guarantees public access to all beaches. You can walk from the road onto any section of Varadero beach regardless of which resort fronts it.
The Varadero beach itself has limited reef snorkelling in the shallower western section.
The Varadero peninsula is 20km long and the resort zone is spread across the eastern 15km.
Varadero’s location makes it an excellent base for day trips: Havana (140km west; taxi CUC 80 return or Viazul; 2.5h); Matanzas and its cave systems (40km west; taxi CUP 500 return).
The resort zone has better ETECSA WiFi hotspot coverage than most Cuban cities (scratch cards at any hotel reception: 1 CUP per hour).
Varadero’s north-facing beach can develop significant chop in the afternoon trade winds (typically from 2–5pm).
Cuba offline map. Varadero’s 20km peninsula is large; offline navigation helps for scooter excursions to the eastern end.
Free
Identifies fish species during snorkelling sessions. Useful for the Cayo Blanco reef and Cueva de Saturno, which have diverse Caribbean reef fish and coral.
Free
Spanish offline pack. Varadero’s resort staff speak English; outside the resort zone, Spanish is needed.
Free
Explore Cuba’s most extraordinary destinations — from revolutionary Havana to the pristine beaches of Varadero.