How to Find Hotels in Varadero, Cuba

Varadero, Cuba is the location of resorts, cultural events and parks. Beaches surround this peninsula, which is famous for its lush locations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Rental car
• Hotel reservation
• Plane tickets
• Computer
• Luggage
• Map

Know Your Destination

1. Bring your umbrella. Varadero has a subtropical climate. The wet season is between May and October.
2. Take a walk. Varadero has 16 miles of beaches.
3. Bring your Spanish-to-English phrasebook. Spanish is the official language.

Travel to Varadero

4. Take a scheduled flight from Europe, Central and South America, Canada or the Caribbean.

Go From Place to Place

5. Walk to reach most places in Varadero. Beaches, restaurants and local attractions will be found close to your accommodations.
6. Rent a car. Beautifully restored vintage cars are available in Cuba, so drive one along the coast to Havana for a day trip.
7. Take a bus when sightseeing. Minibuses will take you to and from Varadero for $1 each way.

Choose Accommodations

8. To book accommodations, contact Cuba Tourist Board in Canada at (866) 404-CUBA or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
9. Book your accommodations at a beach resort in Varadero. Beach resort rates range from $200 to $300.
10. Stay at the Mansion Xanadu Hotel, which was built in the 1920s by millionaire Irenee du Pont.
11. Try a 5-star hotel located on the shoreline.

Seek Out Tourist Destinations and Attractions

12. Go on a Varasub excursion. These submarine hybrids take tourists to see schools of fish and coral reefs.
13. Take a helicopter trip over the nearby valley of Yumuri.
14. Walk through Josone Park, located in the center of Varadero.
15. Attend a dolphin show at the Varadero aquarium.
16. Choose from a variety of nightlife shows, including cabaret, piano bars, discos and karaoke clubs, which are located close to resort accommodations.

Enjoy Local Customs

17. Party! Dancing and music are important aspects of Cuban culture, and weekend performances are common.
18. Try a traditional dish of rice and beans, called moros y cristianos.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your travel adviser regarding tourist cards and visas before leaving.
• Very few cruise ships arrive in Cuba. It is advisable to travel by air.
• The United States prohibits citizens from traveling to Cuba without a special permit.
• Renting a car is the cheapest and easiest way to travel around.
• Cuba has an excellent domestic air network.
• Traffic and road signs are scarce.
• The train system has deteriorated over the years, and it is now recommended to take buses instead.
• U.S. dollars are no longer accepted in Cuba.
• Credit cards drawn on U.S. banks are not accepted.