Varadero Beach, Province of Matanzas, Cuba

            Varadero, also referred to as Playa Azul (Blue Beach), is a resort town in the province of Matanzas, Cuba, and one of the largest resort areas in the Caribbean. Varadero Beach is rated one of the world's best beaches in TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards since 2019, ranking at number two. Common activities include fishing and excursions to Matanzas, Cárdenas, and the Península de Zapata.

Varadero is known as a tourist resort town, with more than 20 km of white sandy beaches. The first tourists visited Varadero as early as the 1870s, and for years it was considered an elite resort. In 1910 the annual rowing regatta was started; five years later the first hotel, named Varadero, which later was renamed Club Nautico, was built. Tourism grew in the early 1930s as Irénée du Pont, an American millionaire, built his estate on the peninsula (now Maison Xanadu or DuPont House). People who have stayed in the area include Al Capone.

After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, many mansions were expropriated from their rich owners. These mansions soon became museums.  As a symbol of the new integrated tourism for Cubans and foreign visitors of all social classes, the Park of the 8000 Cubicles (Parque de las 8000 Taquillas) was built in 1960. Visitors could leave their belongings in the basement of the park, had access to sanitary installations and gastronomic services on the first floor, and could rent bathing articles and swimsuits. The surroundings of the park became the center of the city.

Between the 1960s and 1980s Varadero transformed itself into a cultural center. During those years the central park (8000 Taquillas) (located between 44th and 46th Street) saw countless concerts, festivals and sporting events.

The 1990s brought the start of another hotel building campaign, mostly in the 4-star and 5-star segment. Many of the hotels are operated or co-owned by foreign businesses like Meliá, Barceló, TRYP, etc. (France's Club Med used to have a property but has since left Varadero.) As international tourism was opened up, the local population expanded with the arrival of people, some in key economic positions, from other parts of Cuba. As a consequence, Varadero has lost much of its social and cultural life and its traditions. The central park, the cinema and various cultural meeting places were neglected in favor of a hotel-centered all-inclusive-tourism and finally closed. The International Carnival, an initiative of Cubans and foreigners started in the 1980s, also ceased.

In addition to the beach, Varadero has natural attractions such as caves and a chain of easily accessed virgin cays. There are also cultural, historical and environmental attractions in the vicinity, such as the cities of Matanzas and Cárdenas, the Zapata Peninsula and the resort of San Miguel de los Baños. Varadero, which is a free port, also possesses facilities for scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, yachting and other water sports.

Varadero receives more than 1 million tourists annually.

Varadero is primarily visited by European and Canadian tourists. The number of U.S. tourists visiting Varadero, although increasing, has been limited because of the U.S. government restrictions that make it difficult for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba as "tourists", as defined by US rules.

Varadero is home to one of two Canadian Consulates in Cuba.

Taken in: Cuba / Provincia de Matanzas / Varadero (show map)

Taken on: February 23, 2023

Tags:

Varadero Beach

Province of Matanzas

Caribbean

Caribbean Sea

island

tropical

island of Cuba

scenic

Atlantic Ocean

vacation

resort

tourism

Playa Azul

Blue Beach

resort town

town of Varadero

one of the largest resort areas in the Caribbean

white sandy beaches

international tourism

Varadero receives more than 1 million tourists annually

primarily visited by European and Canadian tourists

communist country

Varadero is home to one of two Canadian Consulates in Cuba

tropics

tropical climate « less

Sets appears in: • Cuba

Groups appears in: • beach lovers. . . • Cuba - todo a lo Cubano more » • Caribbean • Beaches • Cuban Culture • Your Favorite Photos - Unlimited! • Geotagged: Travel • Caribbean Architecture • Beach - Praia - Playa - Plage - Ocean and Waterfronts • Cuba, cuba • the World Traveller • * Travel Photography for World Nomads * • *Inspirational Travel Photos • Caribbean Flickr Group: post 1, comment 1 • Frequent Traveler • Cuba Travel • A Life at the beach - comment on as many photos as u post. • worldwidewandering - a travel atlas • Architecture Travellers • Cuba - Beaches • Train Travel • Beautiful Cuba • Linda Cuba :) • ¡Cuba tiene Tumbao! • Cuba Photos • Traveler's Photos • " MASTER CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY " • "Unlimited Photos: No Rules" • The Travel Experience - Travel photos from around the world • Beach, sunsets, rivers and lakes. Playas, atardeceres, ríos y • Caribbean Beaches Photography • Beaches - Around the World • Beaches in the world • CUBA EN FOTOS • Beach Universe • Travel and Escapades • Destinations around the world - The travel group • Cuba Collection • Turismo por todo el mundo • Beaches & Landscapes • CUBA en Flickr • * TRAVEL * (Please COMMENT with the CODE !) • beach pictures!! • The Traveling Camera Projects • Architecture Caribbean • Fotografos Cubanos • CUBA NOW • Beach Shots :) • Caribbean as we see it. • Beaches of the World (geotagged) • Beach & Photography • iTravel: Travel Photography • Beautiful Beaches and sea • Travel - Around the World • Caribbean Travel & Vacation Network • Travel Experiences (Worldwide) • ♥ SKYLINES ♥ CITYSCAPE ♥ LANDSCAPE ♥ BEACHSCAPE ♥ • Caribbean Waters in Vivid Color • Flickr Travels Around the World • Caribbean by tips4travels • Beach Bums Photography • Urban Color • Findmybeach.com • Nothing But Beaches • Caribbean Photographers • Caribbean Landscapes/Seascapes • Caribbean Sunshine • The Best Things Of Cuba • CUBA MY LOVE • TOURISM magazine • Photo's passion of the world • Stunning travel photos from around the World • Beaches and Such • Architecture of Beautiful Towns and Cities • The Traveler's Bucket List • City, Urban & Engineering Images • All great photos - No 30/60 • Cuba - Pictures • TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY (no 30/60 rule) • Urban travellers • Geotagging the World • Pon color a tu vida (no blanco y negro) • Travel Sights • Vacation on Flickr • ! ΙΙ TOURISM magazine ! • Fans of Flickr « less

Stats: 3,125 views / 5 comments

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: