For many people, a Varadero holiday is their first contact with Cuba. White sand, warm sea and a wide choice of all-inclusive deals make the resort especially attractive for travellers who like to keep holiday planning simple. At the same time, Cuba differs from classic package-holiday destinations in a few ways. This mainly concerns money, day trips and the documents you should take care of yourself before you leave.
Varadero lies on the Hicacos Peninsula in the province of Matanzas. The beach stretches for around 20 kilometres along the coast. Havana is about 140 kilometres away, and Matanzas and Cárdenas are also easy to reach from Varadero.
If you are visiting Cuba for the first time, our post Cuba for first-time visitors: honest answers to the most important questions is also worth reading before your trip.
What is usually included in all-inclusive in Cuba?
With a Cuba package holiday to Varadero, your flight, accommodation and, depending on your booking, your transfer and meals are already organised. An all-inclusive rate usually adds breakfast, lunch and dinner. Drinks from a set selection, as well as use of the pool, beach areas and parts of the leisure programme, are often included too.
However, all-inclusive doesn’t automatically mean that every service really is free for your entire holiday. Exactly what is included depends on the rate you booked and the accommodation itself. So it’s worth checking the description of services in your booking before you fly.
Extra costs can arise, for example, at speciality restaurants, for premium or imported drinks, spa treatments, certain water sports and day trips. Transfers that are not part of your booking are also paid for separately.
For day trips in particular, you should plan some extra budget. Varadero may be a classic beach resort, but it is well located for getting to know other sides of Cuba during your holiday.
Money on a Varadero holiday: Cash, cards and tips
Cuba’s official national currency is the Cuban peso, or CUP for short. International credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard can generally be used as long as they meet the requirements of the Cuban payment system. Even so, the official tourism portal explicitly recommends that travellers carry a cash reserve and check with their own bank before the trip whether their card works in Cuba.
So for your Varadero holiday, a mix makes sense. Depending on the hotel, you can pay for many services by card. Outside large tourist resorts, don’t rely on card payment being possible everywhere without problems.
Some cash as a reserve takes a lot of stress out of the topic. Euros are among the currencies that can be officially exchanged in Cuba. Check the current exchange rate only shortly before or during your trip, as rates can change.
You don’t need complicated maths for tipping. If you are happy with a service, you can give a small amount. This applies, for example, in restaurants, at the bar, for luggage service or on a day trip. You don’t need to turn it into a fixed percentage rule.
If you are still planning your whole trip, you will find more tips on budget and the best time to travel under Planning a trip to Cuba in 2026: preparation, budget and the best time to travel.
Getting out of the resort: These day trips are a good option from Varadero
A few days of nothing but beach may be exactly what you were looking for. Even so, it’s worth leaving the resort at least once, and Varadero is well located for that.
Havana is the classic destination for a day trip. The Cuban capital is around 140 kilometres away. For a day trip, start early so there is enough time for the old town, squares, streets and a break.
If Havana is your first contact with a big Cuban city, our post Havana for beginners: the first 48 hours will help you prepare. If you are staying longer or want to see something of the city in the evening, you will also find the best bars in Havana here.
Matanzas is much closer to Varadero. The city is a good choice if you don’t want to be on the road all day. It is known for its bridges, its historic architecture and its cultural background. The official tourism portal mentions the Plaza de la Vigía and the Versalles bridge, among other sights in the city.
Another option is the Ciénaga de Zapata on the Zapata Peninsula. Allow roughly two hours for the drive from the Varadero area. The region is known above all for its nature and scenery.
Right around Varadero there are also plenty of options for half a day, including snorkelling, boat trips and catamaran excursions. The official tourism portal describes Varadero as Cuba’s most important destination for a classic beach holiday and lists numerous water sports offers.
Best time to travel for a Varadero holiday
In principle, Varadero works as a beach destination all year round. The average annual temperature in the region is around 24 to 25 degrees Celsius. The Cuban tourism portal mentions around 274 days of sunshine a year for Varadero.
For many beach holidaymakers, the months from November to April are particularly pleasant. In terms of climate, Cuba roughly distinguishes between a drier season from November to April and a wetter season from May to October.
So if you want as many dry days as possible, the winter and spring months usually suit a classic beach holiday better. From May to October it is warmer and more humid, but you can still enjoy plenty of sunny hours on the beach during this time.
In the end, which months suit you better depends on whether you prefer dry weather or cope well with higher humidity.
Before you leave: What you should take care of yourself
A Cuba package holiday takes a lot of organising off your hands. Even so, you should check yourself that your entry documents are complete.
First of all, this concerns your Cuba visa. A visa is required for tourist trips. On a package holiday, don’t automatically assume that it is already included or has been arranged for you. Check your documents and apply for your e-visa in good time. At cuba-visa.com you can apply for your Cuba visa online before your trip. The official Cuban tourism portal also lists the visa requirement for tourist entry as an entry condition.
Next comes the digital D’Viajeros entry form. This is a separate step. After filling it in, you receive a QR code that you need when you enter the country. We explain in detail how it works in Cuba entry form D’Viajeros: how to do it right.
You also need travel insurance with medical cover that is valid in Cuba. You can read which documents work as proof and what to look out for in our post on Cuba health insurance on entry. The Cuban entry information lists such insurance as a requirement.
Before packing, also take a quick look at the customs rules. Special rules can apply, especially for larger quantities of certain goods or for particular items. You will find a practical overview under Cuba customs 2026: what you can bring in and take out.
Before the beach comes the Cuba visa
An all-inclusive holiday in Varadero can be pleasantly simple. Your flight, accommodation and meals are largely organised, and you can decide for yourself whether to spend most of your time on the beach or get to know Cuba better on a few day trips.
A few things are still up to you, though. Check your travel documents, take care of D’Viajeros and your proof of insurance, and quickly look over the applicable customs rules before you pack.
Above all, don’t leave your Cuba visa until shortly before your flight. You can apply for your Cuba visa directly online at cuba-visa.com and tick this item off your list before you travel.
