When you are going to Cuba, where should you be going to in Cuba? Is Varadero worth visiting, or should you choose another destination as a base for your Cuba holiday?
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Is Varadero Worth It?
Yes, Varadero is worth it if you are a person who loves the Caribbean climate, beaches, water sports, pool lounging, and exploring a variety of fun activities!
Deciding whether Varadero is worth visiting for you, first, you need to decide what you want from your Cuba holiday!
In Varadero, you get to spend time on one of the world’s best beaches, all-inclusive resorts, all kinds of water sports, poolside lounge life, and also a bit of adventure if you want to.
Varadero is not a big city, and will not get you great nightlife, but some decent clubs especially on the weekends. Varadero is not a great destination for a big-city holiday but then again, Havana is not too far away!
Also read: 19 Best Things To Do In Varadero Cuba!
Need To Know Varadero!
Varadero is a peninsula, around 2,5 hours east of Havana, an area that exclusively exists only as a resort area. In fact, Varadero is the largest resort area in the Caribbean!
FAQs Varadero Cuba
Here are the most common questions about Varadero answered, to help you decide on your holiday plans, itinerary, or whatever question you need enlightened about Varadero.
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How far is Varadero from Havana?
Varadero is around 110 miles, 160 kilometers from Havana, a trip that takes a little over two hours in a car.
You can also take the Viazul bus between Varadero and Havana, which will take around 3,5 hours.
What is Varadero Cuba known for?
Varadero Cuba is known to be the largest resort area in the Caribbean!
A peninsula covered in all-inclusive resorts, and crispy white beaches scattered with palms and pools it is a Caribbean paradise for international travelers looking for the perfect getaway.
So if you want a pampering Caribbean holiday in Cuba, Varadero is perfect for you!
Most Cubans however, have never had the opportunity to set foot inside an all-inclusive resort in Varadero unless they work there. This is a place for foreigners, or extranjeros, in Cuban.
So if you want to get to know Cubans, their culture, and their way of life, Varadero is not the place for you.
Or you can choose to stay at a Cuban casa particular in Varadero town, and get a taste of the Cuban culture that way!
Also read: Divine Scuba Diving In Varadero Cuba!
Day Trips From Varadero
One good thing about Varadero is that it is “centrally” located in the western part of the main island of Cuba. It is close to Havana, but also to Santa Clara, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Vinales, and Cayo Santa Maria.
It is even possible to go for a day trip to Vinales from Varadero, although you have to get up really early, and that will be a really long day! But it is possible.
You can do day trips from Varadero in an organized manner, join a tour operator that will fix everything for you and get you back home by the end of the day, or embark on your own adventure.
There are also plenty of tours and excursions to do in Varadero and the surrounding province if you prefer to avoid the long transport distances, so you will not be bored!
If you choose the latter, I suggest you have a pre-planned and pre-paid trip with a taxista, a taxi driver.
Book a taxi privado or collectivo (if you are a group, or several people doing the tour together), as finding transport on the go in Cuba probably will be a challenge.
Your hotel or casa particular host will help you find a taxi driver, and the casa host will probably also negotiate a price for you that is ok for you, the taxi driver, and the host of the casa who always gets a cut of the deal.
Ultimate Overview: 19+ Amazing Things To Do In Varadero 2023 Here!
Playa Varadero – Varadero Beach
Playa Varadero or Varadero Beach is long, following the whole length of the peninsula ending its stretch into the Atlantic Ocean on its way over to Key West and Florida.
Varadero beach was voted the second most beautiful beach in the world on TripAdvisor in 2019, so it is just not any beach we are talking about!
You can access this beach without staying at fancy all-inclusive hotels, as most casa particulares in Varadero town will put you only a few minutes walk away from a beach entrance.
Also read: Reviews Best All Inclusive Resorts Varadero 2022!
How Is The Varadero Nightlife?
Well, there is the nightlife in Varadero, but Varadero town is also a small town – a village almost. And the Varadero nightlife is most vibrant on the weekends, not during the weekdays.
There are bars and clubs, and shows, in several of the all-inclusive resorts in Varadero, but these are not what you probably would call “nightlife” at all.
But they are a nice way to have some nightly vibes in the evenings Monday through Friday.
For the weekends in Varadero, check out what travelers before you have had to say about the Varadero nightlife on TripAdvisor.
Is Varadero Safe?
Yes, Varadero, and Cuba, are very safe for tourists. That does not mean that nothing happens, but violent crimes, or crimes in general against tourists, are few and quite rare.
It is more likely that you will end up paying way too much for something after a round of haggling than being robbed or assaulted, or worse.
Is Varadero Open For Tourists?
Yes, Varadero has been open for tourism for a long time by December 2022. Covid is no longer an issue in Cuba, although there still exists covid on the island.
You need to make sure you have travel insurance coverage that includes covid in case you should get sick while in Cuba, and in need of isolation or treatment.
What To Do In Varadero City?
The small town of Varadero can hardly be called a city, but there are a few things to do if you are tired of the beach or the pools for a day.
You can visit the market, visit the Beatles bar, or the Casa del Ron.
How To Travel From Varadero To Havana?
You can take the Viazul bus from Varadero to Havana, which takes around 3,5-4 hours, and costs around $12. You book the ticket securely online, and your phone is your ticket!
The bus leaves Varadero daily around 1 pm and 5 pm, and you have to be at the station one hour before departure.
You can also get a taxi collectivo, a shared taxi, or a taxi privado (normal taxi), but that is pricier of course.
Or, you can take an organized tour from Varadero to Havana, if you only want to go for the day trip!
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Wrap-Up Is Varadero Worth Visiting?
Hopefully, this short and sweet article has given you some insight as to whether Varadero is worth visiting for you! It all depends on what you want for your holiday, really.
What I can tell you, is that if you want a bit of everything, and want your base to be zen and beautiful, Varadero can be a great base or starting point for your Cuba holiday.
