Varadero Landmarks and Monuments

(Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba)

As with historic monuments, Varadero doesn't have a great deal to offer as regards landmarks, other than naturally occurring topography such as the peninsula itself.

The town is totally geared to beach-centred international tourism and has always been considered a tourist destination rather than a colonial hub. Probably the most unusual landmark of any Cuban town is the huge and ancient cactus in Varadero's nearby ecological park (the Reserva Ecologica Varahicacos).

Hicacos Peninsula

Address: Hicacos Peninsula, Varadero, Cuba, CU
The long, thin, curving Hicacos Peninsula juts out towards the USA's Florida coastline, and is nowadays separated from the Cuban mainland by a man-made navigation channel. Lined with beaches, the peninsula is no more than a few kilometres across at its widest point and offers much interest to those wishing to explore this part of Cuba.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

El Patriarca

Address: Hicacos Point, Varadero, Cuba, CU
El Patriarca (the Patriarch) is the name given to a gigantic cactus, said to be more than 600 years old. Perched on the point within the spreading Varadero Ecological Park, El Patriarca attracts a good number of respectful tourists and is a much photographed local site, appearing more like a gnarled old tree with a spreading buttress, than an actual cactus.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge for national park

Varadero Ecological Park (Reserva Ecologica Varahicacos)

Address: Varadero, Cuba, CU
This protected region includes a large area of the Hicacos Peninsula, with short hiking trails through its forests and small caves with ancient art on their walls, a monument to the region's first occupants. The Varadero Ecological Park comes with a number of interesting features and is where you will find the Cueva de Musalmanes, a cave with human remains dating back over 2,500 years.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge

Guama Monuments

Address: Guama, Cuba, CU
The statues and traditional houses at Guama are the only monuments to the indigenous Native Indian inhabitants of Cuba. These are located on an island in the middle of Treasure Lake and are easily reachable from the town itself, via a scenic boat trip along a canal. Holiday makers can arrange a convenient pick-up and drop-off time if required.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Yumuri Valley Bridge / Bacunayagua Bridge (Puente Bacunayagua)

Address: outside Varadero, Cuba, CU
This stunningly elegant modern bridge crosses the gorge of the Yomuri Valley, which was created over many centuries of erosion by the meandering Rio Bacunayagua, on the road to Matanzas and Havana. The view across the valley is breathtaking and the design of the bridge is as good as it gets, stretching as it does for more than 300 metres / 985 feet and towering over 110 metres / 360 feet in height. The western side of the Bacunayagua Bridge features a cliff-top lookout point which is well worth stopping for.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free