| | Overview (Source: Frommers) |
140km (87 miles) E of Havana; 40km (25 miles) NE of Matanzas Varadero is Cuba's most renowned and popular beach destination. Varadero is the common name for the entire length of the Hicacos Peninsula. The peninsula, which takes its name from a local spiny cactus, is 21km (13 miles) long, with a nearly continuous broad band of fine white sand fronting a clear blue sea. Backed by mangroves and the calm waters of Cárdenas Bay, it is less than a mile wide at its widest point. Large resort hotels line a large percentage of the entire length of this peninsula. Home to indigenous populations and a base camp for itinerant Taíno and Carib fishermen, Varadero was largely ignored throughout the Spanish colonial period. While it was first developed as a summer retreat by some 10 families from Cárdenas in 1887, its real potential as a tourist destination was realized relatively late. The first hotel was built here in 1910, and U.S. industrial magnate Irénée Dupont built his Xanadú Mansion here in 1926. A small cadre of celebrities and gangsters followed, including Al Capone. Still, at the time of the Revolution, there were only three hotels in Varadero. Today, there are over 55, with more than 15,000 rooms . . . and construction continues. Back to Top Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all
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| History (Source: WCities) | Top | The 18 kilometer-long Varadero peninsula lies in the Hicacos region of Matanzas province and boasts the most famous beaches in Cuba. The luxurious stretches of blue Caribean water, with a temperature that holds steady at a pleasant 25 º Celsius year-round, have a long history of enticing visitors. Long before the arrival of the Spanish, this land was inhabited by the Siboney Indians, a sub-group of the Cubacanán people. Hundreds of years ago, they decorated many of the caves in the region with drawings and geometrical designs. One site in particular, the San Ambrosio cave, can be visited today and continues to fascinate tourists, both Cuban and foreign. The arrival of black slaves left another equally vivid stamp on the area as the Africans used the same caves to perform their religious rites. The strong Spanish influence in Varadero is observed in everything from architecture to cuisine. The Spanish began mining salt at Las Salinas in 1587 and the town of Matanzas was founded in 1693. The names, which means "Killings" in English, is said to refer to the massacre of local Indians by the conquistadors, although an alternative explanation attributes it to the killing of hundreds of Spaniards by marauding pirates. Despite the grim history, Matanzas, in its heyday, had a more benign reputation as the "Athens of Cuba", a great cultural center that drew many musicians, poets and writers to its fold. Still today, much artistic activity occurs here. A third title, "City of
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting There: By Air: The Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport ( +53 45 61 3016 ) is located 11 miles west of the city. Flights arrive from major domestic cities along with international destinations including Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Cancun, Nassau, Montego Bay, and major European cities. Major airlines serving the Airport include: AeroCaribbean ( http://www.aero-caribbean.com ) Aerogaviota ( http://www.aerogaviota.com ) Air Canada ( http://www.aircanada.ca ) Air Transat ( http://www.airtransat.com ) British Airways ( http://www.ba.com ) Cubana ( http://www.cubana.cu ) Mexicana ( http://www.mexicana.com ) KLM ( http://www.klm.com ) LTU ( http://www.ltu.com ) Taxis are readily available outside the terminal. It is recommended to establish fare prices before you travel in a taxi. Typically, taxi fare from the airport into Varadero will cost approximately $20 to $30. By Bus: Viazul ( +53 45 61 4886/ http://www.viazul.cu ) offers bus service throughout Cuba including daily service between Havana, Trinidad and Varadero. The Varadero bus station is located at Calle 36 and the Autopista del Sur. By Car: Access Varadero from Havana by the Via Blanca coastal highway. The trip takes about 2 hours. Getting Around: Taxis are reasonably priced and a convenient way to get around Varadero. Some major cab companies operating in Varadero include: Cabataxi (
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | The entertainment choices in Varadero are almost unlimited. The intense nightlife here is in a league of its own, even when compared to La Habana. Every hotel, bar, restaurant, club and theater is accustomed to catering for visitors, and indeed many specialize in it. There is a mix of atmospheres and music here that will satisfy any taste. Most hotels offer nighttime entertainment of some sort because few tourists venture out to explore the city and all its possibilities. For those with a taste for adventure and exploration, however, the choice is staggering. La Cueva del Pirata, on the Autopista Sur, presents the best Cuban bands live, and occasionally hosts cabaret shows. El Anfiteatro, near the Varadero bridge, offers a very popular cabaret and well-known Cuban bands sometimes stage concerts in the Parque Josone . One of the best salsa clubs in town is the Havana Club, near Hotel Siboney. If you are in the mood for a more private, intimate setting, you cannot beat Casa Du Pont and its top-floor piano bar. Here you can spend a relaxing evening enjoying nightfall and the gorgeous views. La Casa de la Cultura , on Avenida Primera, is home to Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, a rumba group of nationally and internationally renowned musicians. Here, also, you can attend cultural events, poetry readings, folk groups, concerts of local trovadores (troubadors) and, every Saturday, the Sábado de la Rumba (Rumba Saturday) with Afro-Cuban dances inspired by santería (re
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