Travel Guide Varadero
A real tourist showcase of Cuba made of long strips of white sand, sun and crystal clear turquoise water topped with palm trees, Varadero stretches its all-inclusive hotels all along the Hicacos peninsula, running into the Atlantic between the Florida Strait and the Cárdenas Bay. At 140 km from Havana, the most famous seaside resort of the island benefits from an exceptional site which attracts all year long locals and international tourists who come to bask in a postcard decor, but also to party, every day, on the wild rhythms of the Cuban sound, the salsa and the current music. The Varadero tour guide will take you along the paths of the Reserva Ecológica Varahicacos, at the tip of the peninsula, where there is an ancient funerary cave, but also to the heart of the gardens of the beautiful Josone Park. In addition to strolling along the beaches, you can enjoy golf, snorkeling and scuba diving. If Varadero can sometimes lack a bit of authenticity, it remains a superb destination for lovers of paradisiacal beaches, idleness and fiesta!
What to visit Varadero?
When to go to Varadero?
When to go to Varadero? The best time to go to Varadero is certainly from March to June, that is to say, at the end of the Cuban dry season, which begins in November. Indeed, during the period from June to October, the wet season is made of alternating heavy rains of short duration (usually in the evening) and a good level of sunshine. Although July and August correspond to the school vacations in Cuba, it is also the time of the carnival, constituting a good option for those who want to know when to go to Varadero.
Weather at the moment
The weather in Varadero, like that of Cuba as a whole, is dependent on a humid subtropical climate, with a cyclonic period running from August to November (with a peak recorded in October). There are also 330 days of sunshine per year, while on the temperature side, Varadero is around 25°C, with minimums at 10°C and maximums at 35°C.
Varadero and Cuba live under the dual currency regime: the Cuban peso ($) and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC), in comparison to which the Cuban peso is not worth much. Varadero is not a cheap destination, especially since in recent years prices have been rising steadily. As part of an organized tour, you will only have to cover your personal expenses. On the other hand, the individual traveler will have to expect to regularly put his hand in the wallet.
To get to Varadero, you will need two documents: a valid passport and a tourist card. The latter is issued by the Cuban consular authorities in Paris. Plan 22 €. Approved French tour operators are allowed to sell it for 27 €. You will need to show them your passport and flight ticket. A certificate of reservation for the first two nights in a hotel or a special casa may also be requested. The tourist card is only valid for one month with the possibility of a 30-day extension on site, subject to authorisation by the Cuban immigration services and after payment of 25 CUC (convertible pesos). For professional stays, obtaining a specific visa from the Cuban consulate remains mandatory (count : 81 €) to travel to Varadero.
No specific vaccinations are required to travel to Varadero, except for the usual vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, polio). If you are coming from a country in Africa or Latin America where yellow fever is present, you will be asked for an international medical certificate proving that you have received the yellow fever vaccine within the last ten years. The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B and typhoid is recommended for travelers who will be staying in the country for a longer period of time in rudimentary conditions. Although there is no longer any malaria in Cuba, this does not exempt you from protecting yourself from mosquito bites. Water is not drinkable in Varadero, so don't hesitate to bring bottled water.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Varadero? Our advice & tips
Varadero is one of the most touristic destinations in Cuba, which has not escaped the attention of French-speaking travel agencies that offer the destination in their catalog. Going through a specialist of this type can often be interesting from a financial point of view, thanks to the all inclusive formulas. But it is also possible to opt for a tailor-made stay, whether for a family vacation, a honeymoon or a scuba diving tour.
Average price of a flight from Europe to Havana: from 600 to 1,400 €. To obtain attractive rates, it is essential to do so well in advance. Once in Havana, you will need to find a place to rent a car or take a bus or taxi to Varadero (140 km away).
By car, toll, 2 CUCs at the entrance and exit. The agencies (Cubacar, Havanautos and Rex) almost all have offices at the airport and in the largest hotels and offer the same prices everywhere.
The most economical means of transport in Varadero is the scooter, as car rentals are expensive. If you have an accident and injure someone, Cuban authorities can keep you in the country until the investigation is completed and you could face a prison sentence. Another practical solution: the Varadero Beach Tour, a bus that goes around Varadero all day long: you can get on and off at the various stops as much as you want with a 5 CUC Pass during the day.
