Cueva de Saturno
Flooded cave near Varadero with clear freshwater that visitors can swim and snorkel in. Light from openings above shines down into the water.
Varadero
All-inclusive resorts line this peninsula with its long white-sand beach, and Havana is a few hours' drive away.
Attractive locations
Bellamar Caves
Limestone cave system near the city of Matanzas, visited on guided walks past large mineral formations and underground chambers. The tour is a cool break from the beach.
Yumurí Valley
Green valley beside the city of Matanzas, ringed by hills and dotted with royal palms. A well-known lookout on the road gives wide views over the valley and the sea.
San Severino Castle
Spanish colonial fort on the Matanzas waterfront, built to guard the bay. Today it holds a museum about the slave trade, and its walls give views over the harbour.
Matanzas Cathedral
Cathedral on the main square of Matanzas, known as the Athens of Cuba for its poets and artists. Visitors can see its interior and the old buildings around the plaza.
Varadero Beach
Long, narrow strip of fine white sand and calm, clear water along the peninsula's north shore. It is the main reason people visit Varadero, with swimming, snorkelling and sunset walks.
Hicacos Peninsula
Slender finger of land reaching into the Straits of Florida, holding Varadero's beach, resorts and a small nature reserve near its tip. Driving or cycling along it shows the whole coast.
Airports
Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport VRA
It is about 19 km in a straight line from Varadero.
José Martí International Airport HAV
It is about 116 km in a straight line from Varadero.
Jaime Gonzalez Airport CFG
It is about 142 km in a straight line from Varadero.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan23.0 °C16 mm
- Feb24.0 °C20 mm
- Mar24.9 °C12 mm
- Apr26.7 °C23 mm
- May27.8 °C65 mm
- Jun28.8 °C76 mm
- Jul29.3 °C68 mm
- Aug29.5 °C77 mm
- Sep28.8 °C78 mm
- Oct27.6 °C70 mm
- Nov25.3 °C34 mm
- Dec24.2 °C20 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Aug, Sep.
Who can help
Emergency
Reported numbers: police 106, ambulance 104, fire 105 - confirm with your hotel or casa host.
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Cuba
Helps with: The UN migration agency in Cuba. Its work covers migration data, border management support, emergency response after disasters, and help for vulnerable migrants such as assisted voluntary return and family reunification.
Who qualifies: Vulnerable migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Cuba, and national authorities. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +53 7 204 1512
Email: [email protected]
Address: Calle 18 entre 1ra y 3ra, Playa, La Habana, Cuba
local government
Police emergency number 106
Helps with: Reaches the police in Cuba. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 106
local government
Ambulance emergency number 104
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Cuba. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 104
local government
Fire emergency number 105
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Cuba. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 105