Varadero Resort Activities

Cultural Activities in Varadero

Cultural options in Varadero are a bit thin on the ground although there are items of interest if you have a look around. The beach Artisan Market can be fun when it's running, and the Varadero City Museum and Xanadu Mansion are also worth a look. Worthwhile attractions are also outside town in the form of the Bellamar Caves and the Bacunayagua Bridge

Bacunayagua Bridge

Cuba’s highest bridge spans the delightful Yumuri Valley and is a fine out of town attraction. The bridge spans a whopping 110-metre-plus, which is made all the more spectacular owing to its height. Getting here is made easy as it is on the main Via Blanca Havana to Varadero route and most bus tours also take in the bridge. Having your own car is the way to go and allows you to explore the valley as well.

Varadero Municipal Museum

Situated in a lovely old building on Calle 57, Avenida de la Playa, Varadero Municipal Museum is of more interest from the outside, yet does have exhibits of interest on the history of the town. The colonial Caribbean building itself is a two-storey wooden affair painted blue and white with a red-tile roof and lies on pleasant grounds.

Dining Out in Varadero

Varadero isn't big on gourmet dining, catering mainly to beachgoers in search of a quick snack, while many resorts offer all-inclusive board. Pizza houses and cafes doing sandwiches abound and you will also find open-air food stalls at the various markets in town as well as local fast food (pollo loco) joints. For a cheeseburger, ask for a hamburguesas con queso.

Shopping Hot Spots

As you would expect with a high profile Cuban holiday destination, cigars and rum are widely available as are coffee and jewellery. Plaza America, near Xanadu Mansion, is Varadero's main shopping mall and one of the best in the entire country. Everything from specialist shops to some of the resort's best eating can be had in here. Beach vendors selling the usual tourist tat are also pretty much ubiquitous.

International Centre for Air Sports in Varadero

The International Centre for Air Sports (Centro Internacional de Deportes Aereos) offers parachute jumping and tandem skydiving. Pricing is reasonable and you can also do ultra-light flying from here, or from elsewhere on the beach on the cheap. The centre is on Via Blanca, a short drive from town across from Darsena Marina.