Where to stay in Varadero — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Varadero is Cuba's number-one beach resort town, strung along the slender Hicacos Peninsula that juts more than 20 kilometres into the Caribbean. The draw is obvious: powder-white sand and water that fades from turquoise to deep blue, once ranked among the best beaches on Earth by TripAdvisor. This is the home of the all-inclusive resort — your room, meals, drinks and activities bundled into one price, perfect if you just want to sink into a sun lounger and switch off. But there's more than sand here: limestone caves, a dolphinarium, a leafy downtown park, and catamaran trips to deserted islands. Varadero is, quite simply, the Caribbean done easy.
Why stay in Varadero
A world-class beach
Soft, near-white sand and clear graduated blues stretch unbroken for more than 20 kilometres along the peninsula — repeatedly voted one of the world's finest beaches.
All-inclusive value
Most resorts bundle room, buffet meals, drinks, bars and activities into a single price. Pay once and relax — no cash needed at the lounger.
Great underwater
Snorkel the reef at Playa Coral, swim in the freshwater Saturno Cave, or sail to Cayo Blanco — a deserted cay with clear water and reef fish all day.
Caribbean for less
Compared with other top Caribbean beach destinations, Varadero delivers the same calibre of sand and sea at a noticeably gentler price.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Varadero
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Downtown Varadero (Avenida Primera)The town's main artery, lined with paladar restaurants, bars, shops and public beach access points, near leafy Parque Josone. Best if you want to wander beyond the resort gates.
Coming soonMid-PeninsulaThe densest resort zone with easy beach access, close to malls and the hop-on-hop-off bus stops. A balance of convenience and great sand — ideal for families and couples.
Coming soonHicacos TipThe luxury and adults-only resorts sit about 8 km from town on the quietest stretch of beach, near the Varahicacos reserve and the dolphinarium. For pure switch-off relaxation.
Coming soonSan BernardinoA clifftop area north of town, home to the Mansión Xanadú (the old Dupont house) and Cuba's only 18-hole golf course. Postcard sea views from the rocks.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Varadero
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Varadero stay reviews — meanwhile search Varadero hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Varadero
- 1🥩
Ropa Vieja
Slow-cooked shredded beef in a spiced tomato sauce, served with rice and plantains — Cuba's signature dish and a must-try.
📍 National dish - 2🍚
Arroz Congrí
Rice cooked together with black beans until fragrant — the classic side that comes with almost every Cuban plate.
📍 Staple side - 3🦞
Lobster & seafood
Varadero is known for fresh fish and seafood from Caribbean waters, with grilled lobster a standout — and good value here.
📍 Fresh catch - 4🐷
Roast Suckling Pig (Lechón)
Crispy-skinned, tender roast pork — a Cuban celebration staple found at paladares and resort buffets alike.
📍 Celebration dish - 5🍳
Picadillo a la Criolla
Seasoned ground beef with tomato, raisins and olives — a sweet-savoury comfort dish served over hot white rice.
📍 Home cooking - 6🍹
Mojito & Daiquiri
Cuba's original rum cocktails — fresh minty mojitos and ice-cold daiquiris, poured freely at every all-inclusive beach bar.
📍 Rum cocktails
- 1🏖️
Varadero Beach (Playa Azul)
The heart of town — fine white sand and clear water running 20+ km, free to access all along, with loungers and watersports dotted throughout.
📍 Main beach - 2🌿
Varahicacos Ecological Reserve
A protected reserve at the peninsula's tip with hiking trails, limestone caves, iguanas, and El Patriarca — a giant cactus over 500 years old.
📍 Nature - 3🕳️
Cueva de Ambrosio
A cave inside the reserve holding ancient Indigenous petroglyphs. Cool, atmospheric and an easy add-on to a reserve visit.
📍 Cave & art - 4🐬
Varadero Dolphinarium
Daily dolphin shows plus the chance to swim with the dolphins at reasonable rates — a family favourite on the peninsula.
📍 Dolphins - 5🏛️
Mansión Xanadú (Dupont House)
A former millionaire's mansion perched on a clifftop, now a clubhouse with a rooftop bar offering 360-degree views of the peninsula.
📍 Landmark - 6🌳
Parque Josone
A nine-hectare green oasis in town with a boating lake, a little tourist train, cafes and restaurants — cooler and calmer than the beachfront.
📍 Park - 7⛵
Cayo Blanco Catamaran
A popular catamaran sail to a deserted white-sand cay, with reef snorkelling, an open Cuban-rum bar and a seafood-and-lobster buffet.
📍 Boat trip - 8⛳
Varadero Golf Club
Cuba's only 18-hole course, wrapping around the Xanadú mansion with ocean views — the spot for golf with a sea breeze.
📍 Golf
Things to do in Varadero
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Varadero — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Varadero hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.2LuxuryRoyalton Hicacos Resort & Spa
Adults-only luxury, top service
★ 9.0LuxuryParadisus Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa
Five-star ultra all-inclusive
★ 9.0Upper-midโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในVaradero
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
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🚆 Getting around Varadero
Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport (VRA)
The town's main international airport, roughly 10-25 km from the resort zone, served by charter and scheduled flights from many countries.
Taxis
Airport to resort runs about 25-30 USD one-way; within town it's usually 5-10 USD. Always agree the fare first, as meters are rarely switched on.
Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker
A day ticket is about 5 USD for unlimited rides from 9:30am to 9:00pm, looping 40+ stops linking hotels, malls, marinas, the golf course and downtown.
Rentals, scooters & coco-taxis
Car hire, scooters and the yellow three-wheel coco-taxis are available around town — handy for cruising along Avenida Primera.
Cash & payments
The official currency is the Cuban peso (CUP), but the tourist zone runs mainly on USD/EUR. Many foreign cards won't work — bring cash to exchange.
Where to go next near Varadero
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See this city's guide →
TrinidadThe Caribbean's colonial gem — cobblestone streets, pastel houses, and live salsa every night. A practical guide to where to stay, what to see, and what to eat in Trinidad, Cuba.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Varadero
When is the best time to visit Varadero?+
The dry season from November to April is best — sunny, drier and clear seas. March, April and November are especially pleasant without being too hot, while May to October is hotter, more humid and wetter.
What do all-inclusive resorts include?+
Most cover your room, all buffet meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, resort bars and basic activities; many add watersports and evening entertainment. Excellent value if you plan to spend most of your time at the resort.
Is it worth leaving the resort?+
Definitely. Take the double-decker bus into downtown to try local paladares, stroll Parque Josone, or book a catamaran day trip to Cayo Blanco for snorkelling — it shows you a side of Cuba beyond the resort beach.
Ready to book your Varadero stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking