Varadero

Varadero, commonly known as Playa Azul or Blue Beach, is a notable resort town located in the province of Matanzas, Cuba. Varadero, recognized as one of the Caribbean’s largest resort areas, serves as a leading destination for travelers in pursuit of sun, sand, and an idyllic experience. Varadero Beach has consistently received recognition, being ranked among the best beaches globally.

This location provides numerous activities for visitors, including fishing in its plentiful waters and exploring nearby sites such as Matanzas, Cárdenas, and the Península de Zapata. Varadero’s location, a mere two-hour drive east of central Havana, facilitates easy access for those seeking a retreat from the vibrant capital. Varadero, located on the Hicacos Peninsula, is bordered by the Bay of Cárdenas and the Straits of Florida, roughly 140 kilometers east of Havana. The Via Blanca highway offers a picturesque pathway to this coastal destination.

The Hicacos Peninsula is a slender landform, with a maximum width of 1.2 kilometers. The Kawama Channel and Laguna Paso Malo delineate its separation from the Cuban mainland. The peninsula extends 20 kilometers in a northeasterly direction, culminating at Punta Hicacos, the northernmost point of Cuba. Varadero’s town features a grid layout consisting of three longitudinal avenues intersected by 69 cross streets, facilitating navigation.

The northeastern end of the peninsula features a nature reserve characterized by pristine forests and unspoiled beaches. The Hicacos Point Natural Park, established in 1974, covers an area of 3.12 square kilometers and serves as an important ecological resource. The site includes the 250-meter-long Cave of Ambrosio, Mangón Lake, which is home to 31 bird species and 24 reptile species, as well as the historic ruins of La Calavera Salt Works, one of the earliest salt production sites established by the Spanish in the New World. Offshore, cays including Cayo Piedras and Cayo Cruz del Padre constitute the westernmost region of the Sabana-Camaguey Archipelago, enhancing the area’s natural appeal.

Varadero is accessible via the Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport, situated 16 kilometers west of the town, ranking as the second-most significant airport in Cuba following Havana’s José Martí Airport. This contemporary facility, finalized in the 1990s, succeeded the former Varadero airport and serves both international and domestic flights, thereby enhancing tourist access.

The growth in Varadero is comparable to that of Havana, with the resort town creating over 50,000 employment opportunities across more than 52 hotel establishments. Prominent international hotel chains, including Canada’s Blue Island and Spain’s Meliá, Iberostar, and Globalia, function in Varadero, enhancing its dynamic tourism sector. In 2017, the resort received a record 1.7 million international visitors, and there are plans to enhance its facilities by adding a minimum of 3,000 additional rooms in five-star hotels, a theme park, a shopping mall, and the reinstatement of the Festival de la Cancion, a renowned music festival.

In addition to its remarkable beaches, Varadero features numerous natural attractions, such as caves and a series of readily accessible virgin cays. The region encompasses various cultural, historical, and environmental attractions, including the cities of Matanzas and Cárdenas, the Zapata Peninsula, and the resort of San Miguel de los Baños. Varadero, as a free port, offers superior facilities for scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, yachting, and various water sports, accommodating a wide range of interests.

Each year, Varadero draws more than 1 million visitors, predominantly from Europe and Canada. Government restrictions on travel to Cuba for tourism purposes are limiting the increase in U.S. tourists. Varadero remains a popular destination, characterized by its natural beauty, historical significance, and contemporary facilities.