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The city of Varadero

Discover the most exciting sights in Varadero

Claudia
CUBA TRAVEL SPECIALIST

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Amidst the beauty of Cuba, there is a city that stands out, sparkling like a jewel on the shores of turquoise waters - Varadero. Although a lot has changed over the years, the beach remains the same and still invites you to linger with its white sand and turquoise waters. If you are looking for a place to relax and unwind, Varadero is the place to be!

5 reasons to visit Varadero

Sights

Located on the Hicacos Peninsula, Varadero is a true coastal paradise. The natural beauty of this place is simply breathtaking. The beaches stretch for more than 20 kilometers and offer dazzling white sand, gently washed by the waves of the Caribbean Sea. Here you can relax, swim in the warm waters and soak up the sun while everyday life fades into the distance. Aside from its natural beauty, Varadero also offers cultural treasures to explore. The city has a rich history dating back to the times of Spanish colonization. The Museo Municipal de Varadero offers a glimpse into the history of the city and its surroundings. If you are interested in Cuban culture, take the opportunity to visit local artisan shops and take home handmade souvenirs.

The most important things before your trip

Here you will find everything you need to know before your trip

Do I need a visa to enter Cuba? Which airlines fly to Cuba? When is the best time to travel? We will of course answer all of these questions in detail so that you are well prepared and nothing stands in the way of your trip!

Cities worth seeing

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Discover the natural beauty of Viñales, surrounded by limestone cliffs and tobacco fields. Immerse yourself in the relaxed atmosphere of this charming village and experience authentic Cuban culture.

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Travel through time in Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Experience the colonial heritage, colorful cobblestone streets and warm hospitality of the locals.

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Cienfuegos, the "Pearl of the South", impresses with its French elegance and Caribbean charm. Explore the magnificent boulevards, historic buildings and breathtaking sea views.

Things to do in Varadero

Varadero, as a famous beach paradise, offers a wealth of excursions and activities for you. The main attraction is undoubtedly the beautiful, powder-white sandy beach that stretches for 20 kilometers. Here you can relax, swim, dive or snorkel as the crystal clear waters offer a rich underwater world.

The diving area extends for more than 40 miles and includes the nearby keys. The depth ranges from 4 to 35 meters and the underwater landscape consists of a sand-covered platform, characterized by a diverse fauna and coral fields. There are over 30 species of coral in this area, some of which form passages and caves.

Practical information

The hygienic conditions for processing and preparing food in Cuba are generally good, which means that the risk of catching dangerous diseases through food is low. Salads and freshly prepared cold dishes are also generally hygienic. Unlike in other Central American countries, you can buy and consume open lemonade or soft ice cream on the side of the road without having to worry about infection. But here too, anyone who knows that they are sensitive to unfamiliar food should be careful. Even on our group trips, diarrhea occasionally occurs, as can be the case in any southern country. It is better to be cautious than to have a “ruined” vacation. Everyone knows themselves and their body

At the moment, the import of GPS-enabled devices, including GPS-enabled smartphones, is (actually) prohibited. As I said: “actually”. We have never heard of a case in which Cuban customs officials confiscated a cell phone from someone upon entry. The same applies to GPS trackers.

We keep hearing that GPS-enabled devices don’t work in Cuba. That’s not entirely true. In the Sierra Maestra, we had a GPS tracker with us on our hike and it worked perfectly.

In the meantime, the laws in this area are being relaxed step by step. Nevertheless, GPS navigation systems are still not allowed in Cuba. It is best to get a map in advance or install an offline map. That’s what we do when we travel with Cuba Buddy. One recommendation that we use ourselves is Map of Cuba offline.

If you need more tips, please feel free to ask us. The current apps have the advantage that they contain street directories, maps, points of interest, etc. and you can also enter your accommodation, for example.

We can also recommend Maps.Me, as the app works great offline. Install the apps while you are still in Germany and start them to test them. Often some settings still need to be updated or maps downloaded. So really take a short time in Germany and test all the apps. Try to see it as the start of your Cuba adventure. That way it will be more fun and easier.

Due to the enormous differences in income and purchasing power between tourists and locals, tips are very important. For many people working in tourism, they are the main source of income and often amount to several times the actual salary, which in Cuba, depending on the profession, is between 150 and around 1000 Cuban pesos per month (equivalent to around 6-40 US dollars). We recommend not being too lavish with tips. A factory worker has to work for 24 CUP (= 1 US dollar) for a day. The porter in the hotel earns this amount in 5 minutes thanks to a generous tourist. A little tact is required here.

Driving in Cuba is no problem and very safe. But try to free yourself from the all-too-German driving style, because in Cuban traffic you will find every type of driver, from the Caribbean-relaxed to the temperamental. Road conditions and signage depend entirely on the region, as in all of Latin America. Tourist destinations and main roads are almost comparable to German quality workmanship, although on remote routes “pothole alert” and “no signs” are often the order of the day.

Petrol stations are available nationwide. However, you should of course expect national peculiarities, such as a petrol station that simply hasn’t been supplied or that unfortunately doesn’t have electricity when you visit (important when paying by credit card).

However, nighttime journeys should be avoided due to the various small peculiarities in traffic and, for example, the street lighting, so that everyone arrives at their destination safe and sound. Please do not let this text put you off: driving in Cuba is always more than worth it. Exploring uniquely beautiful landscapes on your own or getting to know the country and its people in a completely different way is always best done by car.

Important: There are occasional fuel shortages in Cuba. During such times, we explicitly advise you against using rental cars during our travel consultation, as these shortages can lead to you standing in queues for hours or simply not being able to get any petrol.

Climate information: You should expect a hot, subtropical climate in Cuba all year round. A constant wind moderates the heat. In summer there is more rainfall than in winter and temperatures are around 25-30°C. In winter around 20-25°C.

Best time to travel: November to April.

The main travel season in Cuba is from mid-November to mid-April. The temperatures are a little lower during this time than in the other months, although there are generally very little temperature fluctuations in Cuba. The temperatures are between 25°-28° with a water temperature of 25°. From November to around March/April it is also tobacco season and you get a great insight into the tobacco harvest.

Cuba can experience heavy rainfall, tropical storms and sometimes landslides from June to November (hurricane season). We recommend that you follow regional weather forecasts and heed the advice of local security authorities during your trip.

Current information is available online at www.nhc.noaa.gov and www.weather.com.

You can find more information about the best time to travel here .

History of Varadero

The history of Varadero dates back to the 19th century. Originally settled by Spanish settlers, Varadero developed during the colonial period into a place for wealthy families who built their summer residences here. The crystal clear water and the paradisiacal beaches attracted tourists early on. In the 1920s and 1930s, Varadero experienced a boom in tourism when numerous hotels and resorts were built. During the Cuban Revolution of 1959, many of these establishments were nationalized, but tourism in Varadero recovered in the 1990s with the opening of Cuba to foreign visitors.

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What would you like to experience in Cuba?
What else do you need to know to enter Cuba?

We have gathered all the important information for you!

Find out on these pages about the documents you need to enter Cuba. We have compiled all the important information for you!

The regulations for entering Cuba differ from those of many other countries. It is therefore important that you find out about them in advance and have all the necessary documents with you when you enter the country. Various travel documents, ready for Cuba

As with almost all trips, the question of what you need to enter the country will arise at some point during your trip to Cuba. Here you will find a good overview of the entry requirements, as well as visa, travel and safety information for Cuba. A blank tourist card

You don't know how to fill out the necessary health declaration for entry into Cuba or have already tried but failed? Just follow our step-by-step instructions. A Cuba traveller retrieves his suitcase from the roof of the vintage car in Cuba

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