Varadero, a small natural wonder, is a health resort that enjoys well-earned international renown. It covers an area of just over 22 km around the Hicacos Peninsula, the northernmost point of the island of Cuba, situated in the western province of Matanzas. Varadero is considered the Mecca of tourism in the Cuban archipelago, for it offers an integral, diverse and extensive product, which enables it to meet the expectations of the widest range of customers. As welt as its first-class beach where visitors are given the opportunity to practice all kinds of water sports, it is set in beautiful natural surroundings and provides facilities for conducting all kinds of events, playing golf and parachuting, incentive travel, weddings and honeymoons, and even for long-stay tourism. On top of all that, the nearby cities of Matanzas and Cárdenas and Montemar Nature Reserve, in Peninsula de Zapata Biosphere Reserve, round off the opportunities available to tourists at this friendly and welcoming health resort, where visitors can enjoy all the shades of blue in the Caribbean.

How to get there:

A convenient road bordering the northern coast of Cuba leads from Havana to Varadero, 140 km to the east of the capital. Situated in the area surrounding the health resort is Juan Gualberto Gómez international airport, which facilitates direct access from other continents and multiple destinations with other regions in the country, Central America and the Caribbean. It is also a free port and its three international harbors offer all the technical requirements necessary to receive a large range of vessels.

Sun and sand:

The beach at Varadero, of an extraordinarily high standard and measuring a length of 22.6 km, with its gentle slope and clear, calm waters that encompass all the shades of blue imaginable, is undoubtedly the centre’s major attraction. Varadero is a tourist resort that currently offers over 55% of the total number of rooms built in areas of sun and sand on the Cuban archipelago. Virtually all of the hotels existing on the Hicacos Peninsula have areas in the sea where it is safe for visitors to enjoy wind-surfing, trips in a kayak, jet skiing and cycling, as well as other similar sports activities. On the southern coast of the province of Matanzas visitors can also enjoy Playa Larga and Girón beaches.

City:

A holiday in Varadero enables tourists to visit two towns with no end of different attractions: Matanzas (36 km away), the provincial capital founded in 1693, which became the most cultured and prosperous city in the country, and Cárdenas (12 km away), known as the Flag City as this was where the national standard flew for the first time (1850). In Matanzas it is well worth taking a trip to see Vigia and Libertad squares and witnessing at first-hand the magnificence of the buildings designed in the neo-classical style surrounding the square; or observing the peaceful bay and the imposing Valle de Yumuri from the Ermita de Monserrat; visiting the Castillo de San Severino, San Pedro Apóstol church, or taking a trip to see the Pharmaceutical Museum, where Doctor Ernest Triotet gathered a valuable collection of original porcelain bottles, beautiful wooden shelves and laboratory equipment from the second half of the 19th century, which remain exactly as they were originally designed and represent the most important example of their kind outside France. Major attractions in Cárdenas include Colon and Spriü squares, Rojas fort, the former Arrechabala distillery (1870), and the ruins of the first electricity plant in operation in the country (1889).

Culture:

The fact that Matanzas is considered the Athens of Cuba is clear testimony to the intense cultural life that has always charac tensed this city situated very close to Varadero. Today the Teatro Sauto (1863), a theatre that is an authentic jewel of architecture, and the Sala White (1854), where the danzón, the national Cuban dance, was first performed for the public, continue to be pop ular stages where prominent figures from the national and international arts often per form. Every two years, Matanzas also holds the International Puppet Festival and Danzan Dos International Choreography Competition for contemporary, folkloric and classical ballet dancing.

Nature:

Around 30% of the total area of the Hicacos Peninsula (on its eastern side) is occupied by Varahicacos ecology reserve, whose exceptional attributes include a well-preserved coastal ecosystem and the survival of rare examples of tree cacti (Dendrocerus Nudiflorus), in some cases estimated to date back over 500 years. Together with these vegetable formations there is a very special collection of fauna with abundant examples of reptiles and birds. Situated right in the centre of Varadero, Josone Park is a place for nature lovers to enjoy.

The nearby valleys of YumurI and the Canimar and Bacunayagua rivers are also outstanding areas for those who wish to enjoy nature. However, undoubtedly its largest outlet is Montemar Nature Reserve, in the Peninsula de Zapata Biosphere Reserve, where the largest wetland on the insular Caribbean is situated. Once here be sure to visit the Laguna del Tesoro, the Taino village of Guamá, La Boca crocodile breeding ground, and La Salina refuge for fauna, an outstanding place for bird-watching.

Active tourism:

The options for enjoying an active holiday in Varadero are varied and highly attractive, even right in the heart of the health resort, where Josone Park reserves a special place for nature lovers to spend some time. As well as being able to practice any water sport, the spa and its nearby keys provide an ideal place to go diving and snorkeling. Three international diving centres are in operation and over 30 immersion points have been identified, including those in the Cayo Piedras del Norte Sea Park—an exclusive attraction throughout the country and the Cueva de Saturno, a flooded underground passageway. Divers can also practice their sport in the waters of Bahia de Cochinos, Peninsula de Zapata, where there are a further 14 immersion points.
This health resort has the only professional golf course of the archipelago (18 holes 72 pan; it has a flying club for those who like parachuting (it is possible to jump with or without an instructor), or those who wish to fly in a balsa wood micro light aircraft. It is also possible to take a trip in a helicopter to the Valle de Yumuri; participate in a lorry safari along the banks of the river Canimar and journey back up its waters in sailing or rowing boat; join a tour of a sugar plantation and go on an old steam train; or travel around the navigable channels in the south of the peninsula on jet skis.
Other sound options for entertainment in Varadero include swimming with dolphins; trips on an underwater observation vessel; trips to the nearby keys on board sailing ships and catamarans; day and night-time pirate adventures on a galleon; processions to sites of archaeological digs; visits to the Cuevas de Bellamar, caves situated in Matanzas, or the Ambrosio and Musulmanes caves on Hicacos peninsula itself; or days of fishing with light tackle on the Zapata peninsula.

Events and conventions

1i The Centro de Corivenciones PLaza America is a modern and functional facility that enables any kind of event to be held in this health resort. For five years this modern facility equipped with the latest technology in each of its rooms has held the Tourism Convention, during the month of May each year and in September the Expo Varadero, the commercial showcase for the territory of Yumuri. In addition, a growing number of establishments are classed as Hotels for Events, vouched for by the Buró de Convenciones de Cuba (Cuba Conventions Bureau)

Health tourism and quality of life:

Programmes for improving quality of life are offered at the Clinica Internacional de Varadero and the Horizontes Casa del Valle hotel, set in the Valle de Yumuri. Adjoining the Centro de Convenciones Plaza America (the conference centre( is a SPA Club and many hotels have a Jacuzzi, modern gymnasiums and massage areas.

Leisure and restaurants:

The network of restaurants, clubs, dance halls, pubs and karaoke bars is extensive and is concentrated both inside and outside the hotels. Among the most famous nightspots are the Tropicana Matanzas; the cabaret Continental at the Internacional hotel; the Cueva del Pirata; the Palacio de La Rumba; the Bamba; the Mambo Club and the Habana Café.