Which is better havana or varadero

As is the Paradisus Varadero , although this one welcomes the whole family. Likewise, the new five-star Iberostar Selection Varadero is a strong contender to add to the luxury mix. Which one to go for? Choosing among so many great options will surely be the hardest part; but we are here to help so get in touch.

Havana and Varadero are like two sides of a coin, totally different but part of the same package. They give you two very different images of Cuba, a raw and authentic side full of colour and music; and a more tourist-focused beachside haven. After all, what could be a better way of ending an exciting sightseeing journey than with some utter beach relaxation? Why us? Plan your trip.

Site map. Call us. Music, rhythm and nostalgia Havana is a city that leaves no one indifferent with its stark juxtapositions, pastel-coloured historic centre. A powerful concoction In Havana, it all blends in, despite many things standing out. Where to stay in Havana? Plus, our interactive Varadero Cuba map with all our favorite recommendations , how to get from Havana to Varadero and much more!

Varadero Cuba a special place for us and for many others - keep reading to see why. Varadero is a favorite spot in Cuba - and in the entire Caribbean - for the beautiful, spotless beaches and incredible scenery. Just two hours away from Havana, this small town has all the restaurants, bars, stores, resorts, and apartment rentals you could need to make for a perfect beach vacation.

Varadero is situated on the Hicacos peninsula - this long, skinny peninsula juts out from the northern coast of Cuba, creating a semi-protected extension of 18 kilometers of perfect beaches.

This is the perfect place to disconnect, sit on the beach with friends and family, and enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery. Ultimate Guide to Where to Stay in Havana. All of Cuba, including this beach paradise, generally enjoys warm or hot weather year-round, making this a perfect destination to enjoy the lovely beach here. Varadero is popular year-round, filled mostly with foreign travelers in the cooler months, and local Cubans in the summer months. Click away to get a feel for Varadero Cuba.

TripAdvisor agrees, and in Varadero was rated the second-best beach in the world. I definitely agree! Some sections of beach have more neighboring restaurants and cafes.

Other sections are lined with houses and apartments and are more relaxed. One option available for beachgoers is taking advantage of the resort space and renting chairs, umbrellas, or even get a day rate with meals included at a resort if you want to use all their resources. You can take advantage of this at almost any resort, just by walking up to the resort on the beach and inquiring.

In addition to just enjoying the beach and the incredible water, there are a variety of dive shops in town that will get you set up with tours for snorkeling or scuba diving. There are a variety of companies in Varadero that offer swimming with dolphin excursions for those interested in this fun activity! Riding in a classic, old American car is generally an activity that visitors will save for Havana, but it can be a beautiful way to see Varadero Cuba as well, and there are plenty of opportunities for it.

Check out our next article, Guide to Using the Internet in Cuba for how to get wifi and use the internet in Cuba. Visiting Cayo Blanco, a nearby key just across the water with white sand beaches, is a favorite day trip outside of Varadero beach. Catamaran trips to Cayo Blanco are also excellent ways to get out on the water and enjoy sailing. Excursions include stops for snorkeling along the way, which is a great way to incorporate some diving into your trip and enjoy the beautiful Varadero weather.

This is the Cayo Blanco catamaran excursion that we recommend as a fantastic option for a day excursion - check it out on Get Your Guide for more details. Make sure to check out add-on opportunities to swim with dolphins , too. While the food in Varadero is generally going to be a bit more expensive than it might be in Havana depending on the restaurants you choose it can still be quite affordable when compared to prices you might find at home.

If you want to find something less expensive and more local, any of the side streets branching off from the beachside road will have small eateries scattered with options locals frequent , including some of those we recommend below. I also recommend downloading the AlaMesa app before heading to Cuba as a way to search for restaurants, cafes, and bars during your trip.

This app is like TripAdvisor but specific to eateries in Cuba. While it is most popular in Havana, with over locations listed, there are a growing number of locations listed in Varadero. Looking for more info about the apps you should download before your trip to Cuba? These are some of our favorite restaurants in Varadero. They stand out for having great quality food at decent prices.

There are so many more - a full summary coming in a forthcoming article! La Vaca Rosada is a fun and relaxed restaurant, complete with a tiki bar on the roof terrace, and the perfect place to enjoy an evening by the ocean. It is very fairly priced in comparison to some of the other restaurants in the area, but the food is just as delicious if not better. The surf and turf is great, and we loved the grilled lobster and shrimp skewers.

I love La Vicaria - this is my go-to restaurant in Varadero for its delicious food and low prices. The open-air dining room with its arched bamboo ceilings is perfect for its beach town location. The restaurant is pretty small and cozy inside but the food is fantastic and the service is great.

Varadero has an abundance of places to stay, including a great selection of resorts and an even more extensive selection of rental properties. Most of the hotels in Varadero Cuba are all-inclusive resorts , which can boast some incredible package deals for those looking to stay over the course of a few days or longer. Most hotels in Varadero that are not all-inclusive are more like homestays or bed and breakfasts, sometimes with the owners living on location, sometimes with just several rooms for rent.

Here is one of my favorite options in Varadero:. The breezy front and back patio and commons spaces are great for morning coffee or breakfast. Plus, you will save a ton of money over a resort and have the freedom to get to know Varadero even better. There are small ponds and rivers to explore, trekking paths with birdwatching opportunities, greenery all over, and local artists sharing their handcraft products to visitors. Let the locals explain exactly why it is so.

Varadero is a mile-long peninsula with white chalky sands and clear sparkling waters, the perfect way to relax and unwind after a few exciting days in Havana. Scuba diving or snorkelling in the sea are among the favourite activities in Varadero, while you can also try and do some kayaking, water-bicycling and strolling along the beach.

Alternatively, you may want to explore further afield with a scenic catamaran trip to the nearby smaller island of Cayo Blanco — expect powdery sand dunes and crystal blue waters. Catamaran Crucero del Sol and Seafari Cayo Blanco are among the options you can explore with your Varadero representative. For culture-buffs, nearby Matanzas city is worth a half-day exploration to admire its architecture as well as its cultural expressions, rich in Afro-Cuban folklore.

Both taxis and buses are broadly used to connect Havana and Varadero, separated by only 83 miles. Taxis take about two hours or less and shared coaches use about three hours because they collect travellers at hotels around the city before departing. Our sister brand Cuba Taxis Transfers is a one-stop shop if you need to book transfers in Cuba, but if booking your holiday package at CubaDirectTM all transfers between destinations are included.

If you still have questions about a Havana and Varadero holiday, feel free to get in touch with one of our many Cuban friends at Cuba DirectTM. Our Cuban-born travel consultants can offer you invaluable local advice and assist you in designing a tailor-made travel experience that will match your interests and budget. Cuba Direct is the UK's number one Cuba holidays specialist.

With nineteen years experience and a solid reputation recognised by numerous prestigious awards, with us you are in safe hands to book the holiday of a lifetime. Cuba Direct is the number one Cuba holidays specialist in the UK. With us, you are in the best possible hands to plan your holidays to Cuba.