Varadero Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba)

There is very little in Varadero of historic or architectural interest - this place is truly a beach town and many of its foreign visitors hardly stray out of their all-inclusive resort hotels and onsite attractions. If they do, it is usually only as far as the beaches of Varadero, which are major tourist attractions in themselves.

There are a few tourist-type attractions here, such as the Dolphinarium, the Mansion Xanadu, pleasure cruises and even skydiving (at the Centro Internacional de Paracaidismo). However, with Havana only a couple of hours' drive from Varadero, history and heritage buffs need look no farther than that. For shorter trips, the towns of Matanzas and Cardenas have some attractive sites.

Mansion Xanadu

Address: Avenida de las Americas, Varadero, Cuba, CU
Tel: +53 45 638 850
Standing alongside the golf course and to the east of downtown Varadero is the Mansion Xanadu, the very first building to stand on the Hicacos Peninsula. Built in 1930 for American millionaire Irenee Dupont - with no expense spared, this three-storey building has hardly changed since the revolution in 1959, although now functions as a popular hotel. If you are not staying here, it is well worth visiting for the sumptuous and original opulence of its interior, which is a mixture of Cuban marble and antique furnishings. The restaurant is a good place to come if you are looking to eat out.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Xanadu Golf Club

Address: Avenida de las Americas, Varadero, Cuba, CU
Tel: +53 45 668 482
One of the many attractions of the Mansion Xanadu is the 18-hole golf course, the only one on the island. The course lies in a pretty setting with views across the greens to the sea, and both residents and visitors can play. Dating back to 1933, the golf course initially featured nine holes, and these lie between the Dupont Mansion and the Hotel Bella Costa. In 1998 the course was expanded to include a further nine holes, and these sit on the southerly outskirts of the Melia hotel resorts. Today, the Xanadu Golf Club remains quite uncrowded and bookings can be made at the Pro Shop, alongside the Dupont Mansion. If you fancy a round for all the family, then miniature golf is available at El Golfito, at the corner of the Avenida 1 and Calle 42.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Dolphinarium (Delfinario)

Address: Laguna los Tainos, Near the Marina Chepelin, Varadero, Cuba, CU
Tel: +53 45 66 8031
The unusual setting of this Dolphinarium attraction in a pretty natural lagoon makes swimming with these fascinating and friendly mammals both a natural and intriguing experience. Groups of up to 15 people at a time are able to swim with the dolphins, with photos and DVDs of this encounter being available for purchase shortly afterwards. There are of course the obligatory shows where crowds can watch the dolphins perform clever tricks and jumps. The Dolphinarium is located close to the Blau Hotel and is easy to find.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Boat Trips / Deep-Sea Fishing

Address: Varadero, Cuba, CU
Unlike many other Cuban coastal towns, Varadero's three marinas, the Chapelin, the Darsena and the Gaviota, offer deep-sea fishing and diving trips, as well as very enjoyable sightseeing cruises. Prices for fishing trips are decidedly upmarket and charge by boat hire, making sharing with like-minded friends a good idea, so that costs per-head can be reduced.

Various different boat trips are available, with the glass-bottomed boat named the Varasub offering 90-minute cruises for just under 50 people. Also very noteworthy is the Seafari Cayo Blanco cruise to nearby Cayo Blanco, which departs from the Marina Chapelin and lasts around seven hours in total, coming with a seafood lunch, snorkelling and even a spot of live music. For a sunset cruise, the Fiesta en el Cayo will suit.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Iglesia de Santa Elvira

Address: Avenida 1, Varadero, Cuba, CU
This modest but pretty little church, built in 1938, isn't an architectural masterpiece, but it is cute and immaculate enough to warrant a visit. The Iglesia de Santa Elvira stands on the corner of the Avenida 1 and Calle 47, and is close to an excellent selection of shops, including ARTex, the Bazar Publicgraf and the Centro Comercial Hicacos. Visitors to the chapel often comment on its noticeable Alpine character.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Mangon Lake (Mangon Lago)

Address: Varadero, Cuba, CU
Mangon Lake is the place for birders and reptile-lovers, as there are more than 30 bird species which call this attractive body of water home, as well as around 25 different varieties of reptile. This is a very tranquil spot to hang out and enjoy some natural surroundings, away from day to day life in the town centre itself.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Ambrosia's Cave (Cueva de Ambrosio)

Address: Hicacos Peninsula, Varadero, Cuba, CU
Ambrosia's Cave is just one of 15 archeological attractions dotted around the peninsula and comes with five interconnecting galleries, featuring cave art dating back to the original Indian inhabitants of the region. In total, there are some 47 drawings from pre-Columbian times, and these were discovered as recently as the early 1960s. Of interest, the cave also proved useful on many occasions in Cuba's colonial past, as a refuge for runaway slaves.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Parque Josone

Address: Avenida 1, Varadero, Cuba, CU
This beautifully landscaped little park is a meeting point for Varadero locals, with its winding paths, lakes, fountains, gazebos and pretty cast iron park benches. The Parque Josone originates from the early 1940s and was formerly the private gardens of the Retiro Josone mansion, which now functions as a reliable restaurant. Amongst the main attractions at the park is a swimming pool and a large lake, complete with rowing boats.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to midnight
Admission: free

Parque Central / Parque de las 800 Taquillas

Address: Parque Central, Varadero, Cuba, CU
Situated right next to each other, the Parque Central and the Parque de las 800 Taquillas can be found between the Avenida 44 and the Avenida 46. Historically these important recreational spaces were central to the social scene of Varadero, although over the years, sadly became rather neglected and run down. Today, however, is another story altogether, and extensive renovation work has seen the arrival of a large shopping complex and plenty of seasonal flower borders. Nearby, you may like to check out the Iglesia de Santa Elvira.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free