| Varadero
 |
A
place
full of luxury Hotels
and Resorts, white beaches, turquois sea. You can find
a realy huge golf course in front of the hotel
zone. Even a Shoppingmall "Place de las Americanas",
which has some clothingshops, a supermarket, restaurants
and of course souvenirshops. |
The 19 km long Peninsula de Hicacos
is connected to the main land with a lift bridge. At the end of
the 19's some Cardenas
families bought pieces of land and builded their summerhouses. The
Varadero beach became the center of the rich and famous. After 1959
revolution this area opened again for all kind of people.
Usefull links:
-
Hotels and resorts in Varadero >>
- Beaches around Cuba >>
- Cardenas >>
The
Most Famous of Cuban Beach Resorts |
|
Its more
than 20 km of excellent beaches, white a broad strip
of fine, white sand along the shoreline, and a continental
shelf that softly sinks into a warm, crystalclear sea
of the most varied of blues, are the chief tourist attractions
of Varadero, a tourist city that is presently well-positioned
in the International circuits.
These natural wonders
are enriched and complemented by the existence of numerous
caves, cliffs, and lagoons. Also, pristine, easy to
reach keys and other interesting natural surroundings
on the peninsula's easternmost tip, in addition to a
set of cultural, historical, and environmental sites
provided by the nearby cities of Matanzas
and Cardenas
and the Zapata Swamp Biosphere Reserve.
|
Varadero
Hotels
Click
Here |
Nice weather, little rain,
and low humidity are among the conditions that make Varadero
an ideal spot the year around.
The city of Varadero which
extends over 14.4 square km and has a population of approximately
8.000, accounts for 55% of each hotel rooms in Cuba.
And because everywhere is within
reach in the city and resort, the visitor feels constantly
invited to move around, be it walking along any of the 5 Avenues
that run the peninsula: Kawama, Primera, Playa, Las Americas,
and Autopista del Sur, boarding a tourist train, or driving
a car, a moped or a bicycle, or even taking one of these old,
horse drawn coaches.
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| Overnight
trip to Havana |
|
With
our Man in Havana: Pototo
A
trip to Havana without a tour bus and at least 30 other
tourists, guided through Havana by a local Cuban, Having
dinner in a paladar and a free mojito in a real Cuban
home in Havana Centro ... that is what you want right?
Well
here we go!
- Make
a reservation for the reliable and comfertable Viazul
bus the night before your departure at telephone number:
61 48 86, or go to the Viazul bus station and
buy tickets for the next day (10 CUC pp)
- The next day, be at the Viazul bus station 1 hour
before the bus departs, this is because otherwise they
sell your tickets.
- Pototo
or 1 of his crew will be waiting for you at the FIRST
exit in Havana Vieja (after the tunnel) with a sign.
- A walking tour around Havana Vieja and Havana Centro
- A
tour in a car around Havana Vedado and Miramar area
- Dinner
- Stay the night in a Casa
Particular
|
| Pototo:
Your Guide in Havana
Check
out Pototo's clip below |
|
|
Usefull
links:
-
Email Pototo
- Pototo's page
-
Havana City
- Viazul
Bus
-
Casa particular
-
Paladar
|
|
Casas
Particulares in Varadero
You'll
won't find legal Casas
Particular in
the area of Varadero, it's not alowed by the government, for
a Cuban, to start a Casa in this area. Although there are
some "Red Triangle" casas,
those casas are only for Cubans, tourists are not alowed to
stay in these casas particulares ...
Of course you
can do stuburn and search yourself an ilegal Casa Particular,
and you will find them, but remember when they will find out
you risk to get thrown out on the streets at night by the
police, and the owner of the Casa will have a big problem
...
Usefull
links:
-
Varadero Hotels >>
-
Casa particular in Cardenas >>
-
Casa particulares in Matanzas >>
-
General explanation about casa particulares >>
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Scuba-Diving
Sites |
Cuba's
privileged geographic position, it's broad continental shelf
(70.000 square kilometers, with edges almost totally covered
by carefully preserved coral reeves), and its crystal clear
waters (underwater horizontal visibility of 30 meters, or
98 feet, and tempatures usually higher than 24 Centigrade)
make the island an ideal site for diving and snorkling.
Varadero
has 32 wellestablished diving sites at Matanzas bay and on
the western side of Sabana-Camaguey archipelago, home of a
must for any experienced diver: the Ojos del Megano Blue Hole,
and enormous under-water cave located between the Los Cabezotes
and Mega-no Chico reefs, at the Bay of Cadiz.
 |
Three
International diving centers have branches in the Peninsula,
all of them with coaches and dive masters certified
by the World Federation of Under-water Activities and
the American-Canadian Under-water Certification, and
with modern equipment and transportation means.
Most
hotels also offer diving courses for beginners, and
some tourist packages include in their price a number
of day- and night-time dives, in the open sea or at
underwater caves. |
A
national network of specialized medical services and decompression
chambers are available as well to guarentee maximum safety
in this activity, which is highly in demand in these beautiful
natural surroundings.
| Scuba-Diving:
The Cayo Piedras del Norte Sea Park |
 |
The
only park of its kind in Cuba, and suited both for snorkling
and diving, it is located some 8 nautical miles northeast
of Varadero and extends over an area of 2 square nautical
miles. The park combines beauty adventure, and security,
and features among its attractions the sunken remains
of a yacht, a rocket launcher boat, a 102-meter long frigate,
an AN-2 passenger plane, and a towboat, deliberately disposed
of to create this attactive sea. |
Scuba-Diving:
The Saturno Cave
One
the way to the "Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport",
the Saturno Cave provides lovers of underwater world with
an option that is different: diving through the crystal-clear
waters of this 150 meter long and 20 feet deep, cavern, ideal
for speleological exploration.
| Scuba-Diving:
Bay of Pigs |
Here again is a different proposition, also available for
those staying at Varadero. Bay of Pigs, on the Zapata Swamp,
and only 105 km from Varadero, features 2 diving centers and
14 open sea and underwater cave-diving sites, with superb
conditions for the so-called wall diving.
Usefull
links:
-
Scuba diving around Cuba >>
- Diving
Courses and trips >>
|
Nature
Tourism in Varahicos |
| Nature
tourism, a product of growing demand in the International
tourism market, has a promising site at the eastern end of
the Hicacos Peninsula, with its rich natural diversity. A
practical virginal zone, the area covers 31% of the total
territory of the Peninsula and was declared an ecological
reserve in 1974 in consideration of its exceptional natural
botanical and fauna values. The area is home of the largest,
most well preserved forest and coastal vating scenery.
| Josone
Park, Varadero's Tiny Green Lung |
 |
Extending 9 green hectares and located almost in the center
of Varadero, this park offers a varried of dining and
bar service. It was originally designed as a country retreat,
with its huge stone mansion, fine woodwork and glasses,
and an artificial lake, and was completed in 1942.Its
name is formed from the first three letters of the names
of its first owners: Jose and Onelia, his wife. The park
has a sugar cane juice stand, and a bar, "La Gruta",
right on the lake side. It also has a swimming pool, and
a children party hall, and can be leased for banquets,
business dinners, and feasts. |
Varadero
Caves
Most
of them of great archeological value, some of them underwater,
others turned into night clubs, the Varadero Caves and their
surroundings deserve all attention of the visitor.
The
Ambrosio (ceremonial site) and the Musulmanes (dwelling
site) Caves
Two
out of the 15 archeological sites discovered at the Peninsula
that reveal the customs of the area's indigenous population
are both located in the Varahicos natural Park. The first
one is a 250-meter long cave with five interconnected galleries.
Inside there are 72 rupestrian paintings, which constitute
one of the largest sets of such drawings in the Caribbean
islands. During the colonial period, it also served as safe
heaven for maroons, or Black runaway slaves.
The Calero Funeral Cave
Remains of who was reportedly the most ancient inhabitanat
off Cuba, dating back to some 8.000 years, were found in this
cave, where an Indian cemetery was also disco vered in which
66 induviduals, and 1 skull showing Europoid features, were
identified. The cave is located some 15 km from the town of
Cantel, South of Varadero.
The Santa Catalina Cave
Proclaimed a National Monument, this cave has great archeological,
scientific, and natural values. It is located in an area known
as Predios de Camarioca, on the Matanzas-Varadero Highway.
Aside from the evidences of pre-Colombian communities that
were discovered in them, the cave's 8 km of galleries shelter
several local fauna species and show secundary formations
that turn it into a true natural wonder.
 |
Located
near Matanzas
city, this cave system was discovered in 1861
and is considered the island's oldest tourist attraction
of its kind. Its more than 28 explored cavities treasure
large mural paintings, numerous fossils, and evidences
of communities that inhabited the area some 1600 years
ago. Proclaimed a National Monument in 1987, it is well-knwn
for its capricious crystallized formations, among them
the one called "El Manto de Colon" (Columbus'
Cloak) an emble-matic 12 meter high column formed by a
stalagmite and a stalacite that fused together. Programmed
tours take the visitor down for a length of 1500 meters,
half the caves' total extension. |
|
To Do in Varadero |
Cueva
de los Musulmanes
Monument
Anfiteatro
de Varadero
Teatro, Vía Blanca y Carretera
de Cárdenas, Varadero
El
Anfiteatro, near the Varadero bridge, offers a very
popular cabaret and well-known Cuban bands sometimes
stage concerts in the Parque Josone. The bar has the
best Pina Coladas in Varadero.
|
Santa
Elvira Church |
|
 |
It
date back from 1938, with an irregular structure in which
stones and wood are predominant. The church, whose local
tile roof rests on thick beams, has double doors and windows.
The upper front side features a suspended half arch that
serves as the bell tower and ends in a cross |
Parque Retiro Josone
Avenida
1ra. y 56, Varadero, Matanzas, 42200, +53 5 667228,
Fax: +53 5 667778
 |
A
parque since 1942, with beautiful trees and tropical
flowers, a little lake where birds love to stay,
it's possible to row a boat at this lake.
This park's heavy
gate opens onto a lush green oasis of palm trees,
vibrant Guacamayos (Macaw Parrots) and a beautiful
artificial lake. There are also four dining options
available here: Dante offers Italian food, La
Campana for authentic Creole, Antigüedades
specialises in seafood, and El Retiro serves international
cuisine. |
The serenity and sheer
beauty of the surroundings enhances the prospects for
entertainment, which are found here. There is a bowling
alley, shooting grounds, boating on the lake, camping
facilities and a swimming pool. This attractive combination
makes the park one of the most appealing sights in town.
Admission: 1CUC Open 24 hours a day
Artistic
Ceramics Workshop
An important intitution that specializes in the making
of high quality, low supply ceramics.
|
Art
Gallery |
|
|
It
exhibits paintings, sculptures, engravings, serigraphs,
cloths, photographs, as well as original paintings and
reproductions of renowned Matanzas artists. Exhibits also
extend to works by contemporary Cuban painters, like Manuel
Mendive, Flora Fong, and Zaida del Rio. |
Museo Municipal
(History Museum)
Calle 57 y Playa, tel:5-613189, Open Hours: 10am-5pm
Tue-Sat, Phone: +53 2 663189
A
museum about the people of Varadero and tourism, they
also have an Indian art collection. This museum is interesting
because of its building, a beautiful blue-white chalet
with earthenware tiles, is a good example of how popular
the American style was in the beginning of the 20th
century. The Museo Provincial de Matanzas
has a more complete history of Varadero, as well as
organizing cultural activities in its courtyard. On
Saturdays it celebrates traditional Cuban music by presenting
the Rincón Lírico band, and every third
Saturday, hosts activities for children.
Restaurante
Las Americas (Villa
Xanadu)
Avenida Las Americas, Reparto Las
Torres, tel:5-667750. Between 1920 and 1950
 |
An
American named Alfred Irenee Dupont de Nemours dared
to buy the Hicacos peninsula from Spanisch decendents
of a planters family. By this time on this peninsula
only where a few houses. Dupont sold little pieces
of ground to Cubans and Americans, and in a short
time this area changed into a gambling and prostitution
center of Cuba. |
Dupont
asked the 2 architectures who desined the Capitolio
to build a Villa in front of San Bernardino, the highest
point of Varadero. They succeed in 1929 with this 4
story building
Villa Xanadu, by that time it costs
$338.000. In 1959 after the revolution Dupont fled and
left the Villa. The Cuban government changed the place
into a chique restaurant in 1963, Las Americas. Next
to this restaurant you can play some golf at the largest
golf court of Cuba.
-
Book Xanadu Hotel >>
A
Destination for Ruenion and Rewarding
With its conveniently located, modern, well
equipped, and functional Plaza America
Convention Center, in addition to several other hotel
conference facilities, Varadero beach is an ideal destination
for conference tourism and incentive trips.
All
of these facilities meet the standards of the International
Association of Congress Palaces, and have the neccessary
qualified personnel for all kinds of meeting projects.
The
diversity of cultural, sports, and recreational options,
together with the many natural sites at varadero and
the nearby cities of matanzas and Havana; the solid
hotel infrastructure of more than 1.600 five-star and
some 7.600 four-star rooms; the guarantee of quality
services, and sea transportation facilities that exist,
all make Varadero a great place for an unforgettable
incentive trip.
|
Cultural
Cultural
Centers
|
| Casa
de la Cultura
Centro Cultural Los Corales, Ave
1ra e/34 y 351ra. Varadero, Matanzas 42200, Tel: +53
5 612562
La
Casa de la Cultura, on Avenida Primera, is home to Los
Muñequitos de Matanzas, a rumba group of nationally
and internationally renowned musicians. Here, also,
you can attend cultural events, poetry readings, folk
groups, concerts of local trovadores (troubadors) and,
every Saturday, the Sábado de la Rumba (Rumba
Saturday) with Afro-Cuban dances inspired by santería
(religion of African origin) rites.
Admission:
Free; dance classes: USD2.
Open Hours: 9am-6pm Mon-Sat
Artex
S.A.
60 # 208 esq Tercera. Tel: 667415
Feria
de la Artesania
Parque de las Ocho Mil Taquillas
Theaters
Cine
Varadero, Movie Theatre
Ave Playa Tel: 612440
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|
| Banks |
|
Euros:
Cuba
Accept Euros for Tourist Operations in Varadero Cuban authorities
will accept euros for operations at tourist facilities in
Varadero
Cuban Tourism
Minister Ibrahim Ferradáz said that commercial transactions
will begin in an experimental manner, but this experience
may expand to the rest of the country. Transactions in euros
will be accepted in Varadero, since 40 percent of tourists
concentrate in that region. If the project works out, it will
be expanded to the rest of the country. |
|
Banco
de Credito y Comercio
Av 1 Calle 36
Open Mo/Fri 9am to 5pm |
Banco Financiero
Internacional
Ave 1 Calle 32
Open Mo/Fri 9am to 3pm |
Banco Financiero
Internacional
Plaza America
Open Mo/Fri 9am to 6pm
Sat/Sun 9am to 8pm |
Banco Ahorros
Calle 36
Open Mo/Fri 8.30 to 4pm |
Cadeca
(Casas de Cambio, Pesos convertibles only)
Av de la Playa y Calle 41
Open Mo/Sat 8.30 to 6pm
Sunday 8.30 to 12.30pm |
| Postoffice |
Post office
Av 1 Calle 36
Open Mo/Sat 8am to 6pm |
Centro
de Llamadas
Av 1 Calle 30 |
DHL
Av 1 Calle 54 |
| Medical |
Clinica
Internacional Servimed
Av 1 Calle 60 |
Policlinico
Dr Mario Munoz Monroy
Calle 27 (open 24 hours) |
Clinica
Estomatologico
Av1 y Calle 49 (dentist) |
Farmacia
Calle 28 y 29 |
Farmacia
Av de la Playa y Calle 44 |
| Emergency
|
|
|
| Travel
Agencies & Tour Operators |
| Asistur,
31#101 Tel: 667277 |
CubaTur
S.A. Ave.1ra esq 33 Tel:667216/17 Fax: 667048 |
| Gaviota
Tours Varadero, Hotel Caracol, Calle K, Rpto.La
Torre Tel: 668448 / 611895 / 667864 |
FTI,
Tel: 668445 |
| HavanaTur
S.A. Ave Playa e/36 y 37 Tel: 667027 |
LTI
Ave de las Americas, Tel: 667560 Fax: 667475 |
| LTU,
Hotel LTI BellaCosta Bungalow 709, Tel: 667066 Fax: 667150 |
Paradiso,
26 e/ 1ra y 2da, Rumbos Cuba, Ave 1ra
y 13 Tel: 612384 Fax: 667060 |
| Sol
y Son los Viajes, Casa 48, Punta Blanca Tel:
667386 |
Viajes
Cubanacan, Agencia, 24 y Playa Tel: 667059 Fax:
667062 |
| Viajes
Horizontes, Horizontes Caribe, Ave, 1ra y 30
Apartemento G19 Tel: 614795/96 Fax: 614842 |
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Sources:
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