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| Varadero | ||
| Country | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| The search for a province ends with the state | ||
| Residents | 21.170 (2010) | |
| height | 4 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Varadero is a city in the province of Matanzas in Cuba.
background
Most tourists only know the 20 km long Hicacos peninsula under the name Varadero. On this peninsula, hotels are lined up like pearls on a chain. Often it is houses that are booked all inclusive, and many vacationers do not leave the peninsula during their stay. Varadero may be cheap for Europeans, but it is more of a place to get foreign currency than a typical small Cuban town. Hospitality and friendliness can also be found here. The "old" part of Varaderos is located in the west of the peninsula. The further east you go, the hotels get newer, bigger and more expensive. The Parque Josone is the rough limit, if you like it more authentic, you should look for something west of this park. There are also many casas in the older part of Varadero. East of Parque Josone you can only find expensive all-inclusive bed castles.
getting there
By plane
Condor flies three times a week Frankfurt am Main and once a week Vienna to Varadero. The vast majority of flights to Varadero come from Canada, from where the place is nearly all major airports can be reached several times a week. The bus transfer is included in the price of package tours. In addition, all Viazul buses stop to and from Havana at the airport (6 CUC per person). Taxi prices are a matter of negotiation and are between 20 and 50 CUC. A taxi can therefore be worthwhile for three or four people, especially since it can take you directly to the desired address.
By bus
Varadero has a bus station from Viazul- and Transmetro buses are served. This means that Varadero can be reached from all cities with at least one change.
By train
Varadero is not connected to the Cuban rail network. The next train stations are in Cardenas and the provincial capital Matanzas. From there, a.o. Viazul buses to Varadero.
In the street
From Cardenas and Matanzas, Varadero can be reached via the motorway-like Via Blanca can be achieved. A toll of 2 CUC (or equivalent CUP) per vehicle must be paid before reaching the city.
By boat
Several marinas offer access for yachts. There is no port for larger ships.
mobility
- A good country road leads from Varadero to the end of the peninsula. Short side streets regularly branch off from it as a common access route for 3-4 hotels. There are stops of (open top) buses.
- At the hotel driveways you can usually find bike and moped rentals, ideal means of transport on these flat roads.
- There are regular excursions (e.g. to Havana), which you can ask at any hotel reception.
Tourist Attractions
activities
shop
- In the city there are several small markets - they are all lined up on Avenida 1ra and offer souvenirs typical of Cuba. You should definitely act.
- Almost every one of the larger hotels has galleries where local artists try to sell their work.
- The Plaza América in the middle of the peninsula offers a large shopping center.
kitchen
nightlife
Many resorts have their own nightclub, which is usually included in the price. However, if you want to have at least rudimentary contact with locals, you cannot avoid visiting a nightclub or a bar outside the resort. There are a few nightclubs scattered along the Autopista Sur, but they are almost exclusively frequented by tourists. In the actual city, on the other hand, you will also meet a few locals (mainly employees from the tourism industry).
- 1 Calle 62, Calle 62 / 1ra Ave. Price: cocktails from 3 CUC.
- This bar is named after the street it is on and also uses part of this street as an extended dance floor. The cocktails are mixed professionally, which cannot be said of all bars in Cuba.
- 2 Cueva de Pirata, km 11 Autopista Sur. Open: from 10:30 p.m.Price: Admission 10 CUC, drinks from 1 CUC.
- The pirate cave right next to Hotel Allegro has a pretty good dance show (included with admission). Then the stage is transformed into a dance floor. The air is good despite the low ceiling and the large number of people, but the music is very loud (hearing protection recommended). Security-conscious people will be bothered by the non-existence of emergency exits.
- 3 Havana Club, Calle 62 / 2da Ave. Price: Entry 10 CUC.
- The Havana Club (after the rum of the same name) is an internationally oriented discotheque with appropriate music. Quite high admission price.
accommodation
Most of the accommodations in Varadero are all-inclusive resorts along the northwest beach. However, there are also some hotels and private accommodation (casas particulares) in the city proper.
Cheap
In Varadero there are some so-called Casas Particulares in which rooms are offered from around 35 CUC per night without breakfast.
medium
- 1 Hotel Occidental Allegro Varadero, km 11 Autopista Sur. Tel.: 53 (45) 66-8288, Email: [email protected]. Price: Rooms from around USD 160 per night in the high season (cheaper than a package deal)
You can tell from the hotel that it is getting a bit old. Nevertheless, in addition to a beautiful (de facto private) stretch of beach, it offers all the usual amenities, such as à la carte restaurants, fitness studio, many bars, etc. 60 USD per person per night).
Upscale
- 2 Hotel Royal Hicacos, km 15 Autopista Sur.
This five star resort is one of the best in Varadero. The rooms are embedded in palm frond-roofed bungalows in a park landscape with numerous watercourses and offer a high level of comfort. The all-inclusive service even includes serving drinks on the beach. In addition, guests are not required to wear a bracelet. The resort is not accessible to children.
