How to Find Cheap Hotels in Varadero, Cuba

Located on a long peninsula barely a kilometer wide, Varadero, Cuba (140 kilometers east of Havana) is one of the largest resorts in Caribbean. Known for its white sandy beaches, luxurious yet affordable accommodations, and exuberant nightlife, Varadero certainly offers visitors a wide variety of activities.

Things You'll Need

• A computer with Internet access
• A passport

Instructions

Vacationing in Varadero

1. Determine your budget. While a majority of resorts in Varadero are quite cheap (under $100 per night), this will help you choose the right accommodations for you.

2. Look up the current conversion rate for Cuban pesos to dollars. Most of the quotes you will receive will be in pesos. Although this rate will fluctuate, expect a rough equivalent of 100 Cuban pesos to 80 dollars (see Resources, below).

Accommodations in Varadero

1. To book accommodations, contact Portal for Cuban Tourism at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).

2. Check with a travel agent (or a printed travel guide for Varadero, Cuba) for additional recommendations on where to stay and what to do on your trip.

3. Call, fax or e-mail your reservation once you have found suitable accommodations. Make sure to get written confirmation and the name of the person who took your reservation.

4. Confirm your reservations at least 48 hours in advance to eliminate any last-minute problems.

Relax and Enjoy Varadero

1. Take a romantic walk along Varadero's 20 kilometers of white sandy beaches.

2. Be adventurous and take a tandem parachute jump from the Aerodrome.

3. Find outstanding bargains in the local markets in Varadero.

4. Visit beautiful Josone Park, with its many ponds and shady trees.

Tips & Warnings

• English is widely spoken in all of the resorts, since an overwhelming majority of tourists are Canadian.

• Try to fly directly into Varadero via Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport, the second largest airport in Cuba, as opposed to Havana.

• It's best to reserve a complete package deal, including air travel, accommodations and activities. These are always relatively cheap when purchased together.

• Travel for United States citizens directly into Cuba is still severely limited, so if you're American, you may have to fly out of a Canadian airport to get to Varadero.

• Residents are generally not allowed into the resort area of Varadero, so don't expect to interact with the Cuban people, outside of the resort staff.

• If you choose to enjoy some deep-sea fishing while in Varadero, bring along plenty of food and water, since this is often not supplied on the boat.