A Taste of the Caribbean in Varadero, Cuba


Varadero is a popular resort town in Cuba located in the Hicacos Peninsula. Its long stretch of white sand pristine beach, about 21 kilometer, is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. [Read: A Tale of a Filipino Travel Blogger in CUBA]


Each year, thousands of tourists visit Varadero to experience a taste of the Caribbean in Cuba. People enjoy its warm turquoise water as well as the relaxing vibe of the gorgeous beach.


A lot of activities are available in Varadero such as snorkeling, diving, fishing, sailing, catamaran cruise, kite surfing, boating, and more. So, if you want to experience a unique Caribbean experience, Varadero, Cuba might just be the perfect place for you.


How to get to Varadero?
Going to Varadero is quite easy and straightforward. Depending on your budget, you can easily go to Varadero by plane or via public and private transport from Havana, Cuba.


Havana to Varadero by Bus via Viazul
Taking a Viazul bus from Havana to Varadero is the cheapest and the most trouble-free way mode of transportation to the resort town. The cost of the bus trip is only USD10 (CUC10) for a 3-hour journey. You can either book your trip in advance through http://www.viazul.com or go to their office at Casa Matriz: Avenida 26 y Zoológico, Nuevo Vedado, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba. If you get a full slot in the website, you can go to the office to book your ticket. It is highly recommended to book your ticket in advance if you are visiting on a peak season.

The schedule of the bus trips from Havana to Varadero is at 8am, 10am, 1pm and 5pm. From Varadero to Havana, the bus schedule is at 12pm, 2pm and 6pm.

Travel time is around 3 hours and it will make a stop at a restaurant for snacks and CR break and another stop at Varadero Airport. Viazul’s buses and modern, airconditioned and comfortable so there’s no need to worry about your safety.


Havana to Varadero by Car or Taxi
Renting a car or taxi is another convenient way to go to Varadero from Havana. If you prefer renting a car, you may need to get in touch with either of these trio of companies: REX, Cubacar and Havanautos, all of which take bookings for several days in advance.

Hiring a taxi will cost you around 100-150 CUC (USD100-150). If you choose this option, you can coordinate with your hotel or casa particular’s host. They usually have contacts to help you with your transport needs.


Where to Stay in Varadero?
Here’s a list of highly-rated hotels in Varadero Hotels based on Booking.com’s unbiased guest ratings. Click the name of the property to check the rates and availability:
Alternatively, there are casa particular available for rent in Varadero for your accommodation needs if you are traveling on the budget. If you have a limited time, you can do a day tour in Varadero from Havana just like I did.

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