Varadero History Facts and Timeline

(Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba)

One of Cuba's oldest tourist resorts is the beach town of Varadero, also known as Blue Beach (the Playa Azul).

The history of Varadero has just two chapters - as a salt mine during the Spanish colonial era and as the beautiful beach resort we see today. Visitors interested in the town's origins can learn more at the Municipal Museum (Museo Municipal) and the San Ambrosio Cave (Cueva de Ambrosio).

San Ambrosio Cave

Long before the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, Varadero's history was shaped by the indigenous Siboney tribe, who lived in this extreme northern corner of Cuba. They used the large Ambrosio Cave for shelter and rituals, covering the walls of several chambers with paintings and geometric designs.


During the Spanish colonial era, the cave became a safe haven for runaway African slaves who managed to escape the salt mines. Traces of their unique religious rituals can also be seen on the walls of the Ambrosio Cave, which is now one of the top cultural attractions in the Varahicacos Natural Park, at the end of the Hicacos Peninsula.

Spanish Salt Mines

The earliest reference of Varadero in history records was when the Spanish used the Hicacos Peninsula as a dry dock in the year of 1555. The abundance of salt in the area prompted the Spanish to establish the Las Salinas salt mine in 1587, which grew into the main salt supply depot for the entire Spanish Latin American fleet. African slaves were used to mine the salt and this legacy is well-documented in Varadero's Municipal Museum.

A Vacation Spot for the Elite

The town of Varadero wasn't officially created until 1887, when ten prominent families from nearby Cardenas were given permission to build holiday homes here. For years, this spot was considered to be a beach resort for the elite. Its annual rowing regatta was started in 1910, with the town's first hotel following soon after.

The 1930s brought a promotional boom to Varadero, when American businessman Irénée du Pont built a palatial estate on the peninsula. Other celebrities of the time, such as notorious gangster Al Capone, visited Varadero and often decided to build mansions of their own along the 20 km / 12 miles of idyllic beachfront.

The Revolution

The Cuban Revolution (1953 to 1959) was a major turning point in the history of Varadero. Most of the mansions were taken from their wealthy owners and turned into communal buildings for use by the public.

The Parque de las 8,000 Taquillas came into being in the early 1960s, being established to provide a place for ordinary Cubans to enjoy the beaches of Varadero. The park was the heart of the town for a good two decades and was used as a cultural centre for both concerts and various special events.

Modern Development

The 1990s brought a new wave of development to the town, as all-inclusive luxury resorts replaced the traditional buildings, parks and overall atmosphere of the area. International tourism became the emphasis, causing the town to lose some of its old Cuban charm. Today, more than half a million foreign tourists stay in the all-inclusive resorts at Varadero each year.