Varadero holidays

GMT -5 hours

Spanish. English is also spoken.

• Peso. • US dollars and US traveller’s cheques aren’t as widely exchanged as they used to be. • Traveller’s cheques are mostly accepted, but not all hotels exchange them – go to an international bank instead. • There’s a minimum fee of 8% to exchang

El Morrillo Fort
This national monument was built in 1720 to protect Matanzas from pirates.

Sauto Theatre
Dating back to 1893, this beautiful monument is one of Latin America’s most famous theatres.

San Carlos Cathedral
Dating back to 1736, this is stunning cathedral is Matanzas’ oldest church.

Yumuri Valley
This breathtaking natural wonder is best viewed from the Bacunayagua lookout point.

Bellamar Caves
Discovered in 1861, these magical underground caves are riddled with glittering crystal formations; magnificent stalactites and stalagmites; and clear rivers and streams. 

Santa Catalina Cave
Explore over 8km of passageways as you weave your way through this beautiful cave, where evidence of pre-Colombian people was found.

Crocodile Farm
Established to protect the crocodile from extinction due to hunting, this wonderful facility is home to over 10,000 of these beautiful creatures.

Often dubbed one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, here you’ll find soft white sand and glimmering clear water.

9¾ hours to Havana

Beach, Eat & Drink

Watersports
Your resort may offer windsurfing, waterskiing, sailing and scuba diving. You may also be able to go out in a catamaran, kayak or pedalo.

Land sports
Sports on offer at your hotel might include tennis, beach volleyball, table tennis and squash.

Food
In resort
• Our Varadero resorts serve a range of cuisine, such as oriental, Caribbean, Creole, Japanese and Italian fare.

Local dishes
• Tostada is buttered and toasted bread, often dipped in coffee for breakfast.
• The local speciality is pork roasted on a spit and covered in lemon and honey, served with black beans and rice.
• Ropa Vieja is a stew of shredded flank steak in tomato sauce.
• Picadillo is a beef hash with onions, garlic, olives and herbs.
• Moros y Christianos is a dish of black beans and rice flavoured with spices including pepper, cumin and paprika.
• A traditional a stew of chicken, okra and plantains is served with rice.
• Cuban sandwiches are a popular hot snack of Cuban bread with mustard, ham, pork, cheese and pickles.
• Empanada is a chicken or meat turnover, eaten with a side of plantain chips.
• Popular desserts include custard flan and rice pudding.

Drink
• Stick to bottled water.
• Cubans drink a lot of coffee, with milk or in espresso shots. Daiquiris and mojitos are also popular.

Religion
Roman Catholic

Dialling code
+53 5

Summer, Winter

Matanzas Province Museum
Housed in the Palacio de Junco, which dates back to 1838, here you can peruse art, history, weapons, archeological and ethnology collections.

Museum of Pharmacy
This wonderfully unique museum is a pharmacy that was established in 1882, and on display are record books of prescriptions and other fascinating medical relics.

Oscar María de Rojas Museum
Discover collections of history, insects, butterflies and colonial weapons as you wander around this fascinating building, which was built in 1863.

History Museum José Antonio Echeverría
Wander around historic collections in this neoclassical Cuban house, the birthplace of the revolutionary leader José Antonio Echeverría.

Varadero Museum
This small museum houses an archeological exhibit plus historical relics, documents and photos.

Take a catamaran tour around nearby islands, swim with dolphins, walk nature trails and explore on horse-back or bicycle. You may also be able to visit other Cuban cities.

A discreet tip here and there is welcome!