Getting Around, Varadero Travel, Transport and Car Rental
(Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba)
Dependable public transport in
Cuba is rare outside Havana, and although there is a rail connection between Havana and nearby Cardenas (30 km / 19 miles from Varadero), it is very slow. As with the rest of Cuba, Viazul air-conditioned buses are the best way to travel between destinations.
In the town of Varadero are several travel options apart from car rental - namely taxis, cocotaxis (three-wheeler rickshaws), horse and cart, and tourist bus transport. There is also a small train which runs between major hotels, the beaches and the entertainment areas. For travel outside the town, a rental car, scooter or bicycle is the only sensible option.
Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport (VRA) / Arriving by Air
Address: Near Matanzas, Cuba, CU
Tel: +53 07 247 015
Varadero is served by the international Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport, located some 35 km / 22 miles from the town and the second-busiest airport in Cuba, after Havana's Jose Marti International Airport. Many charter flights arriving here bring package tourists, but a good number of international flights connect Varadero with major European and Canadian cities and capitals. Domestic routes also run to Cuban towns and a few offshore islands. In the high season, the small terminal with its several shops, duty-free outlets and coffee shops becomes very crowded. Taxi services are the most convenient form of transport to the town itself, as there is no direct bus. Many reports have been received of thefts from checked-in baggage at this airport, and as a result, valuables should be packed in carry-on bags.
Car Rental
Car rental is easily arranged in Varadero at most hotels, at car hire offices in town or at the airport on arrival. However, booking in advance online is recommended as during the high season, the demand for rental cars exceeds the supply. Cuba's main roads are fast and in good condition, but most cross-country roads range from uncomfortable to impossible, especially in the rainy season. Moped hire is also popular for those wishing to travel off the peninsula, being readily available at most resorts.
Buses and Coaches
The Viazul Bus Company has three services to Varadero per day from
Havana, with the journey taking three hours. Its long-distance buses also run to
Trinidad de Cuba and
Santiago de Cuba daily from the bus station on the Autopista del Sur. Most town hotels will arrange a shuttle bus transfer from the airport.
An open-topped tourist bus travels around town at given times. This double-decker 'Beach Tour' bus is extremely popular and features hop-on / hop-off tickets, stopping at 45 different places along the peninsula. Most other bus services are unreliable and uncomfortable, although the frequent shuttle transport to the Melia hotel resorts is a safe bet.
Trains
It is possible to take the train from Havana to the railway stations in nearby Cardenas and Matanzas, but it is a painfully slow, scruffy and uncomfortable journey, and so not much of an option. Once you are in Varadero, an open-topped tourist train runs between various points on the peninsula and provides a scenic way to sightsee.
Taxis
Taxi travel in Varadero is easy as taxis are plentiful here, and can be arranged either on the street or at your hotel's designated taxi rank. Agree the fare first, as although taxis are metered here, the meters are rarely switched on. Cocotaxis are cheaper and a fun alternative, while enjoyable tours of the city can be taken by horse and cart, lasting approximately 45 minutes.
Boats and Ferries
The bus company Cubanacan operates a fast ferry from Havana to Varadero, which takes around two hours and is a relaxing way to reach the Cuban capital. Small local boats also connect a series of other nearby coastal towns, as well as the offshore cays.
- Google+
