Varadero is a famous resort town located on the Hicacos Peninsula in Matanzas Province, Cuba, roughly two hours or 140 kilometers east of central Havana at the end of the Vía Blanca highway. International and domestic travelers reach the region primarily through Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport, situated 16 kilometers west of Varadero, or via local roadways like Autopista Sur that extend down the narrow spit of land.
Stretching along the peninsula for more than 20 kilometers, Varadero Beach—also known as Playa Azul—is renowned for its white sand and ocean waters. The narrow spit of land separates the Bay of Cárdenas from the Straits of Florida. Near its northeastern tip at Punta Hicacos lies an ecological preserve featuring virgin forests, secluded beaches, bird habitat, and historic Spanish salt work ruins.
The area boasts extensive resort infrastructure with over 52 hotel facilities and numerous foreign-operated properties. Visitors can explore local landmarks like the historic Mansión Xanadu estate, Parque Retiro Josone, Santa Elvira Church, or municipal museums. While modern resort development dominates the strip, the peninsula retains quiet natural spots like Ambrosio Cave and a chain of easily accessible virgin cays off the coast.
Suited for diverse interests, Varadero offers scuba diving across 30 sites featuring underwater caves and sunken vessels, deep-sea fishing, catamaran cruises, and dolphin interactions at Delfinario. The resort welcomes over one million foreign visitors annually—primarily from Canada and Europe—while offering activities ranging from windsurfing and kayaking to motorcycling gatherings, cultural festivals, and seasonal golf tournaments.
01 Highlights & things to do
What makes this stretch of coast worth the trip — from the water to the walks, wildlife and the views.
Compiled from Wikipedia · conditions vary with weather, tides and the season.
Beach map & the area
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the beach and its surroundings — the coastline, access roads, nearby towns and where to park. Zoom in for detail, or open it live in a full map.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free).
02 Getting there
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Air | Fly into Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport, located 16 kilometers west of Varadero, or Kawama Airport. |
| Road | Drive roughly two hours (140 km) east from central Havana via the Vía Blanca highway onto Autopista Sur. |
Getting there · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · always double-check access & ferries
03 Where to stay
Resorts, towns and areas near the beach — the closer you stay, the easier the early-morning and sunset hours when the light is best and the crowds are thin.
The former three-story estate of Irénée Du Pont de Nemours, housing hotel accommodations and a French restaurant.
Resort property hosting the annual Los Cactus Varadero Golf Tournament.
04 Best time to visit & the water
| Season | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Season | June 1 to November 15 | Tropical storms and hurricanes are most likely to occur in September and October. |
| Dry / Mild Season | Winter months | Winter temperatures average a cooler 21°C (69.8°F) compared to the summer mean of 27°C (80.6°F). |
Conditions vary with weather, tides & season · Last updated: 2026-09-12
05 Nearby & around
Other beaches, coves, towns and sights within easy reach — worth stringing together into a coastal day.
Good to know
- Varadero operates as a free port with multiple marina facilities for deep-sea fishing and boating.
- Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 15, peaking in September and October.
- U.S. citizens face government travel restrictions that limit tourism visits to Cuba under U.S. law.
- Getting around the main town is centered on Avenida Primera, running from Calle 8 to Calle 64.
