Varadero Beach

Playa de Varadero

A 20-kilometer stretch of white sand on the Hicacos Peninsula, Cuba's most famous all-inclusive beach resort, about 2 hours' drive from Havana.

Varadero lies about 140 km east of Havana in Matanzas Province, on the narrow Hicacos Peninsula. Its northern shore is a nearly unbroken strip of fine white sand about 20 km long, with clearly layered waters that shift from pale green to blue-green, a gentle slope, and a reputation as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. In the first half of the 20th century, it was a private retreat for wealthy Americans. After the 1959 revolution it became state property. Today, dozens of all-inclusive hotels line the eastern part of the peninsula, run by foreign hotel groups from Spain, Canada and elsewhere, and tourism is one of Cuba's most important sources of foreign currency. The western end is the town of Varadero, with local guesthouses, restaurants and markets, and its beaches are open to everyone.

Things to see and do:

① Mansión Xanadú: a seaside villa built in the 1930s by the du Pont family, the American chemical dynasty. It now houses a hotel and restaurant, and its rooftop bar is a great spot to watch the sunset.

② Diving and snorkeling, plus catamaran trips out to Cayo Blanco.

③ Varahicacos Ecological Reserve at the eastern tip of the peninsula, with caves and undisturbed native vegetation.

④ Cueva de Saturno, a natural cave with a swimming pool nearby.

⑤ The theater in Matanzas city and the Bellamar Caves, near the Binning River.

Getting there: the Viazul bus from Havana takes about 3 hours; a shared taxi takes about 2 hours. Varadero also has an international airport (VRA) that receives charter flights from Canada and Europe.

A good plan is 2 to 3 days of beach rest after sightseeing in Havana. The quality of all-inclusive hotel dining varies widely, so check recent reviews before booking.

Varadero Beach

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby