Experience an authentic Caribbean beach ambiance at Varadero Beach (Playa Varadero). Soak up the sun while sitting on the soft, white sand, enjoy long walks and cool off in the alluring blue water. Spot colorful aquatic creatures on snorkeling trips and join sailing charters to remote cays. Varadero Beach stretches almost uninterrupted for 13 miles (21 kilometers) along a shoreline framed by mangrove forests.
The beach is one of Varadero’s major attractions but is still big enough to find quiet areas. Sun loungers and palapas (thatched-roof umbrellas) are available to rent. Hotels also offer these facilities to guests free of charge. Top up your tan, feel the soft sand between your toes on a relaxed stroll or get active by joining in a game of volleyball.
Rejuvenate the body by plunging into the crystal clear Caribbean Sea. The water is often calm and safe, although waves and undertows are common on windy days. Cruise up and down the coastline by rented paddleboat or kayak. Try your hand at kitesurfing and windsurfing or sail a Hobie Cat-style catamaran. Rent equipment from your hotel or the beach’s watersport centers.
Engage in friendly conversations with the bicycle beach vendors. Marvel at how the vendors display their wares on hooks and shelves balanced on the bikes. Purchase everything from clothes to jewelry, musical instruments and straw hats. Be sure to bargain for the goods in order to get a fair price.
See more of Varadero’s glorious coastal setting on fishing and sailing charters. Tours depart from the resort’s marinas, Marina Chapelín, Marina Dársena de Varadero and Marina Gaviota. Alternatively, discover the underwater world on scuba diving and snorkeling excursions. Visit shipwrecks, caves and pristine coral reefs such as Cayo Piedra.
Varadero Beach is just steps away from the majority of Varadero’s accommodation options and the resort’s downtown district. Many hotels have direct access to the beach. There is parking available, for a fee, for those arriving by rented car on daytrips.
