Major city · Cuba
Varadero
Spend 3 days in Varadero: 2 days on the beach and one for a dolphin show or a day trip, then fly out.
Varadero is a resort peninsula with long white‑sand beaches, a dolphin park, nearby caves and Cuba's only full‑size golf course. Most visitors stay 2–3 days to enjoy the beach, a single attraction and a short day trip, then return to Havana or continue elsewhere.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CUP
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, cooler sea)
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy, hotter)
- Airport
- VRA
- Nights
- 3
Rules in force · 8Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…US State DepartmentUS citizens and US residents (US persons) may not travel …No cards
- Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
- Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
- Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
- Cuba ↗US State Department: Level 2, exercise increased caution (in place since 2025; the US Embassy reported another island-wide blackout on 18 September 2026). UK FCDO: against all but essential travel (updated 25 September 2026). Canada: avoid non-essential travel (updated 28 September 2026). Australia: reconsider your need to travel. Read your own government's advice and check your insurance still covers Cuba before booking (checked 2026-09).
- Cuba ↗Check entry rules for your passport with the Cuban embassy or official sources; most visitors need an e-visa (formerly the tourist card) and the online D'Viajeros form, and requirements change.
- Cuba ↗US citizens and US residents (US persons) may not travel to Cuba as tourists. The trip must fit one of 12 OFAC general-licence categories: family visits; official government business; journalism; professional research and meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, competitions and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; private foundations and research institutes; information and informational materials; and certain export transactions. Most independent travellers use 'support for the Cuban people', which needs a full-time schedule of activities with Cuban people and private businesses (casas, paladares, private guides), and records kept for 5 years. US persons may not stay at properties on the State Department's Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List (11 more Havana hotels added 14 July 2025) or deal directly with entities on the Cuba Restricted List (GAESA and other military-linked businesses). Rules tightened in 2025–26; check OFAC before booking (checked 2026-09).
- Cuba ↗Medical insurance is compulsory for entry: carry proof of a policy valid in Cuba, or buy a Cuban (Asistur) policy on arrival. US-based insurers are generally not accepted in Cuba; flights from the US include a Cuban medical policy in the fare — keep the boarding pass as proof (check with your airline). Hospital bills are payable in cash only, so buy cover with medical evacuation as well (checked 2026-09).
- Cuba ↗No cards: US-issued debit and credit cards have never worked in Cuba because of the embargo, and since 6 June 2026 Visa and Mastercard cards from any country are no longer accepted (Cuban Central Bank, after a foreign processor dropped FINCIMEX under US Executive Order 14404). Bring enough US dollars or euros in cash for the whole stay plus an emergency reserve (checked 2026-09).
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Varadero106 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Varadero, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Cuban peso (CUP).Cuba-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckETECSA is the only operator; tourist SIMs and eSIMs are sold with passport at the airport and ETECSA offices (check eSIM).Cuba-wide
- Tap waterDo not drink tap water; bottled water can be scarce, so bring a filter bottle or tablets.Cuba-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% in cash.Cuba-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/L. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Cuba-wide
- SafetyVaradero is a secure tourist enclave with regular police patrols; main risks are petty scams and beach‑flag hazards.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsOften without seats or paper; carry tissue and small coins for attendants.Cuba-wide
- Emergency numbers106 police · 104 ambulance · 105 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysOpening hours shrink during fuel crises; banks and offices may close early.Cuba-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVRA Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport.
- Getting aroundCity bus (CUC5 day pass) runs the length of the peninsula; taxis are metered or distance‑based…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedCasa particular room, a night, per personCUP 3,000
- Mid-range bedCasa particular room, a night, per personCUP 4,500
- High-end bedCasa particular room, a night, per personCUP 6,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CUP 5,000 · Mid CUP 8,000 · High CUP 13,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VRA Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jul (10 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Varadero: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City bus (CUC5 day pass) runs the length of the peninsula; taxis are metered or distance‑based; motorized trikes (Coco Taxi) and horse‑drawn caleches are common in town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Matanzas city
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Via bus from Varadero station, about 30 min
Historic centre, museums and a riverfront promenade.
Cayo Largo del Sur
cautionDoor to door: ≈4 h total
Fly from VRA (seasonal charter) or take a day‑trip boat from Varadero
Longer travel; best as an overnight stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
All‑inclusive resorts (e.g., Melia, Iberostar)
Beachfront, meals and activities included; ideal for 2‑night stays.
Casas particulares (e.g., Casa Kenia)
Budget rooms near the beach, about US$30/night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CUC 5–7 ≈ $5–7
- Mid
- CUC 8–12 ≈ $8–12
- High
- CUC 13+ ≈ $13+
Trip budget
| All‑inclusive resort room2 × 3 nights × CUP 18,000 | CUP 108,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × CUP 8,000 | CUP 48,000 |
| Airport taxi (one‑way)2 × CUP 30 · check | CUP 60 |
| CUC5 city‑bus day pass2 × CUP 10 · check | CUP 10 |
| Delfinario dolphin show2 × CUP 20 · check | CUP 30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CUP 15,610 |
| Trip total≈ CUP 28,620 per person per day, bed included | CUP 171,710 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Taxi airport → town (≈10 km) | $25–30 |
| CUC5 city‑bus day pass | CUC5 |
| Delfinario dolphin show | $15 |
| Delfinario swim with dolphins | $85 |
| Snorkel excursion (Cayo Blanco) | $75–85 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Credit‑card cash‑advance scam at the airport exchange; keep cards in sight.
- Beach flag system: red = no swim, yellow = caution, green = swim.
- Open‑top bus branches can hit passengers; keep clear.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 106
- Ambulance
- 104
- Fire
- 105
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
VaraderoVaradero
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police106
- Ambulance104
- Fire105
Embassy
US consulate in Havana; other nations have embassies in Havana.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → town taxi: about $25–30, 10 km (6.2 mi) (check)about $25–30, 6.2 mi (10 km) (check)
- City‑bus day pass: CUC5 for unlimited rides (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑KUL‑pe)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra‑SEE‑as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN‑to KWE‑sta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (DON‑de es‑TA el BAH-nyo)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWE‑do pa‑GAR con tar‑HE‑ta)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Varadero. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season, cooler sea) · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy, hotter) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel taxi contract (check fare before boarding).
- City‑bus day‑pass purchase at any bus stop.
- Book dolphin‑show tickets online in advance (check availability).
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Varadero
- secondaryWikivoyage: Varadero, revision 5240368 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Varadero
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