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Aerial photo of Varadero beach with tourists enjoying the water, sand, and sun by Laslovarga –

Top 9 Remarquable Facts about Varadero Beach, Cuba

Varadero Beach, also called Playa de Varadero, is a resort destination in Matanzas province in Cuba. The beach is referred to as Playa Azul which translates to Blue Beach.

Located in the Península de Hicacos and approximately 36 km from Matanzas city, this beach is Cuba’s closest point to the United States of America.  The beach has a breathtaking ensemble of pink and white sand as well as crystal-clear water.

It is inarguably one of the world’s most spectacular beaches. This was confirmed by TripAdvisor who in 2019 nominated it as one of the world’s best beaches. Not only that, Varadero is among the largest resort areas in the Caribbean.

This article highlights some remarkable facts about the sandy Blue beach in Cuba.

 1. The Beach Is on A Strip of Land Extending 20 Km from The Mainland

Satellite pictures of Varadero from NASA World Wind Globe, version 1.4 by ILA-boy –

Varadero beach is located roughly 140 km to the east of Havana, Cuba’s capital. That is on the Hicacos Peninsula between the Straits of Florida and the Bay of Cardenas.

The Hicacos Peninsula is 1.2 km at its widest point. This peninsula is separated from Cuban Island by the Kawama Channel. From the point nearest to the channel, the Penisula stretches for 20 km from the mainland toward the northeast.

The tip of the Peninsula is called Punta Hicacos and it’s where the Hicacos Point Natural Park is located.

2. The Beach experiences Tropical Climate

Being at sea level, this tip of Cuba island experiences a Tropical climate. The weather on the beach varies from time to time dependent on season, exposure to hurricanes, trade winds, and tropical storms.

The mean temperature is 250 C (770 F). The humidity on the beach and the entire Peninsula at large is 81%. The yearly rainfall is roughly 55 inches (1400 mm).

3. First Used as A Dry Dock

Battleship in a Dry Dock by David Mark from

Varadero’s first recorded mention is traced back to 1555. Back then, the beach was used as a dry dock. A dry dock is a narrow basin that can be flooded enabling a load to be floated on and later drained to rest the load on a dry surface.

Dry Rocks are and were used for the maintenance, construction, and repair of large vessels such as ships, boats, and watercrafts. There were salt mines on the beach and the Peninsula. The mines were responsible for supplying most of the Spanish Latin America Fleets. However, all the salt mines were shut down and closed by 1961.

4. Tourism to The Beach Dates Back to the 1870s

The earliest tourist activity on Varadero island was as early as the 1870s. On December 5th, 1887, ten families from Cardenas got permission to build vacation homes between the current 42nd and 48th Street.

These vacation homes became the foundation for the city of Varadero. At around 1915, the first tourist hotel was built. At the time of construction, it was known as Varadero, later renamed Club Nautico.

Varadero beach has been recognized as a tourist resort for years, and a great one at that. Over 1 million tourists are received to resorts and hotels near the beach annually.

5. Primarily Visited by European and Canadian Tourists

Most of the tourists visiting Varadero are Canadian or European. Although the number of tourists from the USA has been increasing, the number remains limited.

This is because of the trade embargo placed on Cuba by the United States of America in 1962. This embargo has hampered relations between the US and Cuba for years. This has made travel to and from Cuba difficult (not impossible though) for Americans.

6. Several International Events Held at And Near the Beach

Fans enjoying music at a Festival or concert by Okan Caliskan from

With a flurry of visitors in Veradero all year round, annual events are hosted to attract more and more tourists. One such event is the World Music Festival.

This festival brings tourists from various parts of Latin America for concerts and live performances. The said performances are held in different places on the island including the beach.

Between April and June, the Varadero Gourmet is hosted in Varadero. Another event is a five-day motorcyclist event held every February. This event brings together motorcyclists from Harlistas Cubanas and Harley-Davidson bikes.

7. Several Attractions Other Than the Beach

Dolphins in a pond by vipfit from

While the beach is inarguably Veradero’s best and biggest attraction, the entire city is a marvel. There are many activities and beautiful sites to visit and explore in Varadero.

The hotels present their guests with different packages that offer cruises and tours dependent on the payment plan and one’s preferences. A common one is the catamaran cruises which offer snorkeling and a trip to Delfinario.

Delfinario is a coral-rimmed lagoon found 400 meters east of Marina Chapelín. Some activities include fishing, kiteboarding, sailing, scuba diving, and swimming with dolphins.

8. Tourist Activity on The Beach Is Increasing in The Pandemic’s Aftermath

In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic hit and sent shockwaves all around the world. Tourism was one of the most affected industries, especially with lockdowns enforced everywhere.

Cuba, and more so Varadero was no exception to this. This saw many hotels and resorts on the beach close between 2020 and 2021. However, with the pandemic dwindling and travel restrictions lifted, Cuba’s tourism is beginning to gather pace.

Several hotels such as the Roc Varadero Hotel and Memories Varadero Beach Resort have recently reopened their doors after a forced hiatus.

9. One of The World’s Best Beaches

Photo of Varadero, Cuba by Laslovarga –

Varadero stretches for over 30 kilometers with 22 of them being sandy beaches. Varadero is a beautiful enclave of pink and white sand and crystal-clear water.

There is no doubt about it that Varadero is the most beautiful beach in Cuba. Varadero Beach was ranked as the second-best beach in the world in TripAdvisor’s 2019 Traveler’s Choice Awards.