Cuba enjoys nice, tropical weather,
much like you would find in southern Florida.
As such, you can imagine that the beaches
in Cuba are among the main draws for Cuban tourism.
Currently, the bulk of visitors to Cuba hail from Canada
and Europe, and when it is fun in the sun that they are
after, Cuba time and again finds itself on the travel
radar. About 90 miles east of Havana,
Varadero is a top Cuban beach destination, and the Varadero
hotels have among them some of the country’s
best resorts. More or less, Varadero is the name given
to the Hicacos Peninsula, which at its tip, is the northernmost
portion of Cuba. Immaculate white sand, sunny Caribbean
skies and ongoing resort-style construction continues
to make Varadero such a popular Cuban destination, and
with it’s proximity to the nation’s capital,
it is a pretty easy reach. Also, the island’s second
most important airport is found close by, and the fact
that it accepts both national and international flights
makes Varadero even easier to access.
Varadero Cuba, in terms of history,
managed to predominantly avoid interference during Spanish
rule, and as such wasn’t truly founded until the
late 1800's, when ten families from the Cuban city of
Cardenas were awarded the rights to build vacation homes
there. In 1926, the impressive Xanadú Mansion was
built by billionaire industrialist Irénée
du Pont Nemours, and by the 1950's the initial hotel boom
was under way. Some claim that Varadero was an elite vacation
destination as far back as the 1870's, and its somewhat
dubious reputation as a featured resort town was cemented
over the years with visits from the likes of Al Capone
and other big names. Varadero Beach is the peninsula’s
most prized attraction, and when it comes to all
inclusive Cuban vacations, the resorts that line this
privileged stretch of sand have among them top-of-the-list
candidates. Those looking to enjoy Cuba scuba
diving and great Cuba fishing
will appreciate Varadero, and nearby destinations like
the San Miguel de los Baños Resort, and the city
of Matanzas make for excellent side trips when vacationing
in Varadero Cuba.
Though it is understandable that the Varadero Beach
is the main reason that visitors come here, there are
other Varadero attractions worthy of checking out. Parque
Josone is a splendid city park that offers walking paths
that pass over small lakes and wind through gardens, and
a stop at the Museo Municipal Varadero is both cheap and
rewarding. Though the Parque de Diversiones is no Disneyland
or Cedar Point, families vacationing in Varadero Cuba
might find interest in its carnival-style rides and fair-like
atmosphere. Quite possibly the second biggest Varadero
attraction is Delfinario,
where you can catch an impressive and memorable dolphin
show. Golfers might look to fit in a round at the Varadero
Golf Club, and if you love the outdoors, exploring the
Varadero Ecological Park is sure to make for fun-filled
adventures. Also found in the Matanzas, the Bellamar
Caves are the aim of many a tourist, offering cavernous
dwellings that boast a list of intriguing sights. Shopping
is another fun activity to enjoy when you are not hanging
out at Varadero Beach, and if you have time to spare,
you might consider booking a Varadero tour.
A Varadero tour can include learning about the region’s history, and many historical tours here take you to archaeologically-important destinations like Ambrosio’s Cave. The aforementioned Xanadú Mansion is a popular stop on many a Varadero tour, and if you need help getting to and from all the possible Varadero tour destinations, a Varadero guide might be a good idea. A Varadero guide can not only get you to featured attractions, but he/she can also help you better understand and enjoy them. Perhaps your Varadero guide will be a representative of one of the companies that operate open-air Varadero tour buses and trains. To get to Varadero, you can rent a car in Havana and make the 2-hour drive on the Via Blanca coastal highway, or you can always arrive by air. Bus travel is a popular transportation choice in Cuba, and Varadero-bound buses can be found departing from such Cuban cities as Havana and Trinidad. Regardless of how you get here, or how you choose to spend your time once you do, Varadero Cuba will most likely win you over without a fight.
