I have traveled to Cuba several times over the years, and each time have visited different parts of the country. My first experience, about 15 years ago, was in Varadero. Just last month, I went back to experience it again! The famous peninsula is well worth a visit if you love pristine beaches, enjoy strolling the city streets … and love the nightlife!

The so-called “Blue Beach of Cuba”, Varadero is one of the best resort destinations in the world! With its 22 km of white, sandy beaches, Varadero has other natural attractions as well including escarpments, caves and incredible seascapes.

Only 2 hours away from Havana and with over fifty hotels, Varadero is still expanding. This tourist destination is one of the most important first class facilities right on the beach and a powerful infrastructure of specialized restaurants, snack bars, markets and malls. Here are the main attractions, not to be missed!

Go Dancing!

If you love the night life, like to dance late into the night and love life music, Varadero is the place for you! I encourage you to check out these places and see which one you like best! Calle 62 – is the best street party in Varadero. Listen to a live band, buy a drink, snacks and dance the night away. No entrance fee required. Casa de la Musica – is the most popular concert hall in Varadero so make sure to check for special events that may take place when you’re there. Otherwise, it’s great nightclub with dance shows on stage! The liveliest nights tend to be on Sundays. “The Beatles” Bar-Restaurant is an indoor/outdoor bar known for its performances of some of the island’s best rock bands. La Comparsita – love open roof nightclub? dancing under the stars? live dance shows? This place has it all! A 5-10 CUC entrance fee will get you all that plus free drinks all night.

Buena Vista Social Club

If you want to listen to traditional Cuban music, make sure to go see a performance by this band! Originally from Havana, this band is made up of four (4) groups that travel the country. Buena Vista was a famous club in Havana that in the 90s inspired a recording by the Cuban musician Juan de Marcos Gonzales and US guitar player Ry Cooder together with traditional Cuban musicians, many of them former members of the club who performed there when their popularity was strong. The recording, named after the club, became a worldwide hit. Several musicians over 70 years old joined the project that brought many of them back from oblivion. The band performed with the full cast in Amsterdam in 1998 and was filmed by Germany’s Win Wenders. The documentary, also named Buena Vista Social Club, was nominated for an Oscar as best long-feature documentary and won in the same category at the European Film Awards. Make sure to go see them!

Shopping

If you need a break from the beach during your vacation, maybe a day of shopping will be good for you! There are several place to shop on the peninsula. Plaza Las Americas Convention Centre hosts Varadero’s largest mall with dozens of outlets, restaurants, bars and coffee-shops. Centro Comercial Hicacos also offers a supermarket, lots of shops and cafes. Be sure to check out the Casa de Chocolate and try the chocolates – they are amazing! Plaza Artesanal and Mercado de Artesanato, close to Hicacos, are two large outdoor markets where you can find locally made souvenirs, like paintings, jewellery and wooden memorabilia.

Josone Retreat Park

The park was the idea of a married couple that in 1942 dreamed of a place where their love would line on. Jose Iturrioz and Onelia Mendez joined the first three letters of their first names and Josone was born, a marvelous garden which took three years to build. Until 1963, the beautiful and large house was the residence of the Iturioz family. Years later, Josone Retreat, with several restaurants and vars, was made available to tourists, and at present it is one of Varadero’s most visited spots. the tunnel from the facility to the beach that the millionaire owner ordered dub under 1st Avenue is still in use.