CubaPLUS Magazine

Varadero is the Caribbean beach of your dreams. With 20 kilometres of fine white sand, its palm trees caressed by cool trade winds, Varadero is considered the premier destination for sun and surf on this, the biggest island in the Greater Antilles.

Located in the western Province of Matanzas about 120 km east of Havana, Varadero is also known for its hospitality, its rich culture and the comfortable and world class hotels and resorts.

This is one of the top vacation destinations for Canadians for good reason. Everything can be found here from the most exclusive resorts with private pools and your very own butler to the best value all-inclusive packages in the entire Caribbean.

Canadians are not alone in choosing Varadero. Tourists from Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain and France fill the hotels and resorts and provide the feeling of a festive Old World cultural exchange. Varadero is also seemg Visitors ASIa, including Japan, China and Korea. While the numbers are currently small, the market is continually growing.

There are more than 50 hotels and resorts in Varadero providing 15,000 rooms for visitors.

Managed and operated by prestigious international hotel chains, there is the right place for every kind of client.

Several hotels have gone through complete renovations this year including the Paradiso, Punta Arena, Brisas del Caribe, and Iberostar Bella Costa. Others like the Melia Varadero, Melia America and Tuxpan have had partial renovations.

Among the new facilities opened for tourism are the five star plus Iberostar Varadero, inaugurated in December with the Spanish Iberostar hotel chain, and the Blau Varadero with its innovative architecture and 340 rooms.

This resort destination and the Province of Matanzas offer almost 80 tourist activities and facilities including scuba diving and sailing trips, carting, an aero club, an ocean view golf course, swimming with dolphins, specialized restaurants, sightseeing and cave tours. There are plenty of bars and night clubs with the Palacio de la Rumba and the Mambo Club topping the list with great live music and hot DJ's. All of these facilities provide an excellent balance of value, quality and fun.

For outdoor activities, Josone Park possesses beautiful grounds as well as excellent dining facilities, boating and a swimming pool.

A great way of getting around Varadero is by horse drawn carriage or an open top doubledecker bus. For those who want more freedom, bicycles, motor scooters and cars are available for rent at many locations.

Adventure Tours Ask at your hotel about exciting excursions. There are sea tours on galleons, giant catamarans, jetskis and even submarines. Land trips include jeep safaris of caves, rivers, towns and the countryside. Sport fishing for marlin provides additional excitement.

Nautical Services For All Your Needs Varadero has the most varied and complete nautical services in Cuba. Leading the way is the Marina Chapelin which offers a full service facility for visiting sailing vessels and cruisers.

The Marina and Nauticas Varadero is run by the Ministry of Tourism and attracts enthusiasts from Varadero resorts, tourists staying in Havana, and visitors from abroad who are looking for a diving, fishing and safari experience.

The Gaviota Varadero Marina is located at the end of the South Highway and is considered one of the best in the area due to the quality of its water and sand. It has a modern fleet of vessels including catamarans and 35 berths with all services for visiting vessels. This Marina's diving club has highly qualified instructors who can give beginners classes in hotel swimming pools.

Plaza America Center of Varadero Varadero offers more than just sun, beaches and luxurious hotels. The Plaza erica provides the ideal facilities for special events, conferences and incentive travel. With its dedicated group of professionals and its location on the beach, this convention centre can host all sorts of events from the intimate to the grand.

The Plaza América is operated by the Cubanacan Travel Agency and has close links with the many tour operators working with them as well as the Cuban tour operators Universitur, Cubatur and Havanatur. The biggest shopping mall in Varadero can be found in this centre.

Varadero Awaits You With Its Many Offers Basking under the tropical sun, this holiday destination awaits you. Anyone who visits Varadero once will want to return to experience again the powder fine white sand and its emerald-blue waters.