All-inclusive vacations to Varadero – Cuba

Varadero is a long and thin strip of land that stretches into the sea. It’s a spectacular package, with its superb and legendary white sand beach of 18 km long, known as “The blue beach”. Cubans claim rightly, that it’s the most beautiful beach of all Cuba. The calm and transparent water take an infinity of colours, shimmering from turquoise green to dark blue, ideal for your vacations. Plus, the water is warm all year long and the average ambient temperature of Varadero’s sea is of 25°C.
Things to see and do during your vacations in Varadero – Cuba

Varadero
• Strolls in horse-drawn carriages for a voyage back in time.

• L’Avenida Primera. A walk constitutes the best way to visit Varadero and Avenida Playa for the return which borders the sea.

• L’Iglesia Catolica de Santa Elvira de Varadero (Avenida Primera n. 4604, at the corner of Calle 47). A beautiful and simple small church of the South. Its ceilings are decorated of Caoba, a precious wood. This charming Varadero church is built with sandy stones which are malleable enough to easily drive a nail through.

• Retiro Josone Parc* (Avenida Primera and corner of Calle 56). A park whose green contrasts with the blue of the South Sea. An ideal place in Varadero to stroll under the bulky trees which border a peaceful pond. You will be able to observe the birds, herons, ducks and flamingos which saunter to the liking of their instinct. Arts and crafts salesmen attract many tourists, without disturbing the peace of the place : take advantage for your vacations purchases.



• Mansion Xanadu***which is now a vacation hotel. The rich American industrial of French origins Irénée DuPont bought, in 1929, 512 ha of land, certainly at discount… He had built there, for the tidy sum of a million dollars, his fabulous vacation palace. Today this majestic residence of Spanish colonial style, with balconies and sculpted wooden windows, evokes a palace of Andalusia, South of Spain. It’s an authentic jewellery in Varadero. DuPont hosted many celebrities during the 50’s: Cary Grant, Esther Williams and Ava Gardner! He made the whole Varadero peninsula vibrate. He has done many donations to Cuba for the construction of a Church and for the maintenance of a parochial school. He was forced to give up his property in Varadero at the age of 85, when Cuba nationalized his property and had it transformed into a restaurant.

• La Cueva de San Ambrosio**.
A trip back into time as it reveals about fifty mural drawings from the pre-Columbian Era. Superimposed drawings of African inspiration tend to let believe that these caves were used for ritual purposes by the black slaves of the Varadero region.

• Musulmanes-1 and musulmanes-2 Caves, (Natural Parc of the Varadero peninsula). The archaeologists discovered the remnants of the megalognus rodens, a Jurassic era mammal: Yes indeed, in Cuba! To continue this voyage in the history, on an interior terrace, between the two caves, they have also discovered the aboriginal remnants (probably of Siboneys Indians). It seems to be an ancient old funerary and ceremonial site.

A little further from Varadero

• Las Salinas* an old salt mine abandoned by Cuba. It was formerly the principal economic force of the Varadero peninsula. Along the way, notice roadside “The Patriarqua”. Carbon studies show that this tree already thrust towards the sky of Cuba when Christopher Columbus accosted for the first time in America. The carbon studies show that this tree thrust already towards the sky of Cuba when Christopher Columbus reached, for the first time, the shore of America.

•City of Cardenas* (15 km south of Varadero). Typical Cuban city, born from the sugar production of the last century. Many neo-classic residences, one of the most stunning museums of Cuba and hundreds of cyclists zigzagging on its avenues. All of those who come for a half-day visit return to Varadero happy about their discovery. To see : Parque Colon**, Calle Princesa, which was once called Calle de los Franceses (the street of the French), the Museo Oscar Maria de Rojas*** and the Plaza del Mercado, outstanding agricultural market.

•San Miguel de Los Banos*(south of Cardenas). Old thalassotherapy centre of the beginning of the century. Forsaken by Cuba, some majestic constructions face the passage of time. Here, not far from Varadero, valley like landscapes and a fresher breeze. Many walking excursions can be organized starting from Varadero.

• City of Matanzas** (42 km west of Varadero). Once called Athens of Cuba, it was one of the most important cities of the country in the XIX century. Known since then as the sleeping city, many tourists on vacation in Varadero go there to sightsee. Many colonial and neo-classic constructions always stand enthroned, in front of the large San Juan bay. To see, Plaza de la Vigia** with its Teatro Sauto, the Palacio de Junco, which shelters the Museo Provincial de Mantazas**, the Catedral de San Carlo*, the Parque Central (or Plaza Libertad), which shelters the amazing Museo Farmaceutico**

• Les Cuevas de Bellamar** (5 km south-east of Matanzas). This cave is the most visited from Varadero ; it’s spectacular and with easy access. The tunnel of 520 m., which sinks in a succession of, will make you live a different type of voyage! In 1940, the American chocolate factory Hershey had set up a house surrounded with palm trees, which is currently found above the entrance of the caves. Beautiful excursions to be made during your trip to Varadero.

• Valle Yumuri* (about twenty km west of Matanzas) with its Puente de Bacunayagua (highest bridge of Cuba with its 110 m of height) which overhangs this magnificent valley. The birds of prey fly over it while letting themselves get carried by the winds of the South. The Mirador de Bacunayagua is situated on the west side of the bridge ; from there you can see the valley and the Bacunayagua river.


Sports in Varadero
Swimming (magnificent beach in Varadero) – nautical sports (diving in apnea, kayak, catamaran, windsurfing, sailing, banana boat, water bike) – scuba diving (there are good clubs in Varadero) - deep-sea fishing (offered by the marinas of Varadero) – parasailing (parachute pulled by a speed boat) – golf – horseback riding.

Evenings in Varadero

Varadero shelters several cabarets and discotheques with music and lighting worthy of your vacations… That you opt for the grand piano with a superb view of the Varadero sea and at sunset, a amazingly rhythmical and wild Afro-Cuban music, inspired by religious cults, Latin rhythms with its salsa concerts, merengue and rumba, you will be delighted, The choreographies are astonishing, the costumes are dazzling and the dancers are exceptional. Viva Cuba!

Excursions offered in Varadero

At Centro de Informacion Turistica de Varadero you can obtain good and helpful tourist information for the region and the rest of Cuba : the cultural activities (expositions, concerts, etc.) sea excursions and also restaurant reservation in Varadero.

Different types of excursions offered in Varadero

• Marine safari on the coral barriers offshore of Varadero.

• Glass bottom boats, comfortable and safe, to discover the beauties of the corals and the fish in the water of the Atlantic in the South.

• Catamaran package for apnea diving over a garden of corals and free time on a superb deserted island.

• Cruises beneath the sunset of Varadero

• Deep-sea fishing. Motorboat reserved for 4 people. Possibility of fishing red snappers, barracudas and others. You will not find discounts in terms of tariffs, but what a unique experience, different from Quebec.


• Package for Guamà and the Bay of Pigs. Sightseeing of a native village, boat-ride, crocodile breeding farm, sunbathing and swimming in the sea of the Caribbean.


• City tour in Havana. Colonial Havana with Arms Square, Cathedral Square, the Patrimony of Humanity, the cemetery, etc. with a passage through modern Havana. Possibility of adding at the moment of your reservation in Varadero, the Tropicana, famous cabaret.