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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Cuba
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, cooler sea)
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (rainy, hotter)
- Stay
- 3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CUP
- Money
- Currency is the Cuban peso (CUP). There are three official rates: 24 and 120 CUP per US dollar for state accounting, and a managed "floating" rate launched in December 2025 (about 680 CUP per US$1 in late September 2026). The informal street rate tracked by elTOQUE was about 730 CUP per US$1 on 26 September 2026. Rates move weekly — check before you go (checked 2026-09).
- Daily spend
- Budget CUC 5–7 ≈ $5–7 · Mid CUC 8–12 ≈ $8–12 · High CUC 13+ ≈ $13+ (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- ETECSA is the only operator; tourist SIMs and eSIMs are sold with passport at the airport and ETECSA offices (check eSIM).
- Emergency
- Police 106 · Ambulance 104 · Fire 105
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C, L · 110 V and 220 V · 60 Hz · Casas often have both; check before plugging in.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% in cash.; Casa hosts, drivers, musicians: US$1–5.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water can be scarce, so bring a filter bottle or tablets.
- Toilets
- Often without seats or paper; carry tissue and small coins for attendants.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Taxi airport → town (≈10 km (6.2 mi))Taxi airport → town (≈6.2 mi (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 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- VRA · Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport
- —
Typical fares
- 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)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get 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.
See and do
Known for
- 30 km of white‑sand beaches
- Delfinario dolphin park
- Bellamar Caves
- Varadero Golf Club
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Matanzas city | Via bus from Varadero station, about 30 min | ≈1 h total |
| Cayo Largo del Sur | Fly from VRA (seasonal charter) or take a day‑trip boat from Varadero | ≈4 h total |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑KUL‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑SEE‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN‑to KWE‑sta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?DON‑de es‑TA el BAH-nyo |
| Can I pay by card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?PWE‑do pa‑GAR con tar‑HE‑ta |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, or a cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Casas: Respect the family's routine and water use; avoid: Leaving air conditioning on in blackouts or low supply
- Shortages: Share useful supplies if asked; avoid: Handing out gifts in the street
- Politics: Let hosts lead; avoid: Pushing people to criticise the government
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Varadero is a secure tourist enclave with regular police patrols; main risks are petty scams and beach‑flag hazards.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Varadero yet. Suggested stay: 3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- 30 km of white‑sand beaches
- Delfinario dolphin park
- Bellamar Caves
- Varadero Golf Club
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Varadero: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Varadero, revision 5240368 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5240368
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/varadero). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.