Hot dancing and traditional music. You will definitely not be bored on the Island of Freedom. If you want to have fun, then ride a yacht or boat, visit amusement parks, dolphinariums, water parks, local festivals or carnivals.

You can come to the country at any time of the year, however, if you plan to travel around the island, it is better to do this during the dry season. Cuba will be interesting for both families with children and young people who want to walk all night long. There are casinos, playgrounds and game rooms.

Entertainment in Cuba are:

• educational– you can learn how to dance salsa or danson, play traditional musical instruments or sing national songs;
• developing– tourists will get acquainted with the production processes of rum, tobacco products, chocolate, etc.;
• sports- for travelers they arrange competitions in, and other types of activities;
• cognitive- you can get acquainted with the underwater world of Cuba by diving into the depths of the sea, or from a pristine country by visiting one of the botanical gardens;
• cultural- vacationers will be able to visit dolphinariums, theaters and other institutions;
• extreme- such entertainment is visiting amusement parks, hang-gliding or climbing mountain peaks.

If you are interested in the historical past of the country, then visit ancient fortresses, monasteries, chapels, museums and places where important military events took place. Nature lovers will be able to have fun in, on an uninhabited or in a reserve.

Nightlife in Cuba

There are several cities in this country that are famous for their Never Sleep rhythm. For example, in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, you can take a walk at night not only in clubs or bars, but also in the villas of indigenous people who are happy to arrange parties and invite everyone to them. In the capital of Cuba there is an institution Casa de la Musica, where the "golden youth" of the Island of Liberty, as well as wealthy foreign tourists, like to spend time. Many all-inclusive hotels in Cuba also provide a nightly program, accompanied by discos and free alcoholic drinks. These places work until the last client. If you want to have a good time and do not want to spend time in a hotel, then visit such institutions of the country as:

• La Zorra y el Cuervo is the perfect place for jazz lovers;
• – attracts visitors with an enchanting program, exotic cocktails and a variety of dishes;
• Salon el Chevere - here you can dance to Cuban and American music;
• Ayala - the institution is located in a cave, and visitors have fun here to the rhythms of reggae, salsa, jazz and rumba;
• La Comparsita is a bar where professional dancers, solo vocalists and comedians perform. After the concert, you can sing Latin American songs in karaoke or repeat groovy Latin American movements on the floor under open sky.

Liberty Island is ideal for families with children. There are special family ones, where a program is provided for the youngest travelers. The benevolent attitude of the local population towards the kids also contributes to a pleasant pastime. The most famous entertainment venues in Cuba that are suitable for children are:

1. - offers to look at the turtles affected by predators, they are treated and taken care of here. You will also be shown eggs and newborn baby turtles, which tourists are allowed to release into the sea.


2. - it is located in Havana and occupies a rather large area, so you can move here not only on foot, but also by trolleybus. In the institution, many animals move freely around the territory, which is planted with lush vegetation. If you want to look at predators or primates, then know that access to enclosures is possible from all sides.


3. - in it you can not only appreciate the exciting performance, but also swim with the kindest sea animals. The institution is a bay connected to the sea, where dolphins live in their natural environment.


4. is a research center that is home to a variety of tropical fish, dolphins and other inhabitants of the abyss. Entertaining shows are organized for visitors every day, fur seals and lions take part in them.


5. - Indian settlements were recreated here, and figures of prehistoric animals surrounded by lush tropical vegetation were installed throughout the territory.


6. - the institution hosts children's puppet shows and circus performances.


7. - its entire area is covered with palm groves, among which there are life-size figures of huge dinosaurs.


8. - it has swimming pools, shooting ranges, pools and a pond where you can ride a boat, and in the evenings Cuban artists perform on the coast. The park has sports equipment rentals, children's cafes and extreme rides that attract tourists from all over Cuba.


9. - the complex is located right on the coast and is considered the most interesting in the country. It is equipped with the largest and extreme slide in Cuba.


10. - it will appeal to little explorers of the rich flora, including cacti, orchids and palm trees, among which bright parrots fly. The territory of the park is pierced by a chain of lakes that cool visitors in the summer heat.

Tourists with children will also be interested in riding the Varasub boat, which has a transparent underwater part. Thanks to this design, you can introduce your child to marine life. By the way, many beaches in Cuba are equipped water attractions, suitable even for the smallest tourists, so they will definitely have fun and interesting on the Island of Freedom.

Holidays on the Island of Freedom are popular among Russian tourists. endless beaches, low prices and amazing atmosphere attract people with different interests. Among all the island cities, there is a city whose beaches are among the best in the world.

Varadero. Stretching along the coastline for more than 20 km, Varadero is a developed beach resort. However, holidays in Varadero, Cuba are not only beaches. Entertainment, attractions, prices in the resort area and the surrounding area will not disappoint guests of the city.

Russia and Cuba are linked by air. However, there is no non-stop flight from Russian cities to Varadero.

You can get to the resort either with a connection in the capital of the island - Havana, or in one of the European countries.

A flight from with a transfer, for example, in Frankfurt am Main will cost 1110 euros round trip. The advantage of such flights is air travel directly to the place of rest. The airport of the resort is located 20 km from its central part, a bus transfer will cost 6 Cuban pesos, a taxi - 35.

A more economical option is a flight to Havana, the cost of a round-trip ticket from is 632 euros. The further way to the resort can be done by bus or taxi.

From Havana to Varadero by bus

Four bus trips depart daily from the capital to the resort area. For 10 Cuban convertible pesos (CUC), comfortable air-conditioned buses will take everyone to Varadero. The journey takes a little over 3 hours. The carrier company is Viazul.

Bus tickets are purchased at the carrier's desk at the airport, in the arrivals hall. You can make a purchase online on the official website of the company.

What you need to know if you want to get to Varadero by bus

Viazul Bus Departure Station is located 15 km from Havana Airport. Tourists can only get there by taxi. The price of the trip is about 30 CUC.

Interesting: Buses run from terminal 1 to the bus station. However, it is almost impossible for a tourist to use it. The drivers themselves are reluctant to let foreigners into the cabin. And, most importantly, the fare can only be paid in Cuban pesos - CUP.

Taxi to Varadero

This method of transfer is most in demand among tourists. For 2 hours spent on the road, you will have to pay from 100 to 150 CUC, depending on the capacity of the car.

About currency

There are two currencies used in Cuba:
1. Cuban Peso CUP is the official currency used by the locals.
2. Cuban convertible peso CUC - a currency whose exchange rate is closely related to the dollar, used for payments by foreigners.

You can exchange foreign currency brought with you directly at the airport and at local banks.

By the way: American dollars are officially prohibited in the country. The reality is that almost everywhere on the island you can pay with the main world currencies, including the American one.

When is the best time to visit Varadero?

The climate of the resort area is temperate subtropical. Daytime temperatures throughout the year fluctuate between 26-30 degrees, coastal waters are warmed up to at least 24 degrees.

There is a pronounced wet season, which falls on the period from May to the first half of September. Frequent rain during these months can be heavy or lightly drizzling. The weather in September and October is often characterized by strong hurricane winds.

By the way, the cheapest vacation is in the first two autumn months.

Given the climatic features of the resort, best time for holidays in Varadero are the winter months, November or March. The weather at this time is stable, the slight cold snaps allowed during this period rarely last longer than a couple of days.

Organizational moments of rest

Where to stay?

The hotel infrastructure is comfortable hotels with a certain level of star rating. Minimum cost rooms - 60 CUC.

There are options with bungalows, villas, as well as hotels that accept guests on an all-inclusive basis.

Important! Those wishing to save on accommodation should pay attention to apartments or mini-hotels.

How to move around the city and neighboring cities?

For trips within the city the best option– bus Varadero beach tour. On such a 2-story bus, you can ride all day without restrictions for only 5 CUC. Tickets are sold by the driver.

Intercity transport - buses of two carriers:
1. ViaZul - comfortable buses depart in the direction of Trinidad, Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Santa Clara. Ticket prices vary. A trip, for example, to Trinidad will cost 20 CUC.
2. Astro - the transport of this company is less comfortable, but it works on a larger number of routes and is cheaper than ViaZul.

Taxi

This type of transport is available everywhere.

Important: Agree on the cost of the trip in advance. Even if the car has a taximeter, it is unlikely that it will work.

Typically, the price of a trip is formed at the rate of 1 CUC for landing and 1 CUC for each kilometer of travel.

Alternative transport

A kind of transport exotic is a cart with horses, Soso taxi, similar in shape to an egg, or a tricycle - Bici taxi. A ride on a horse-drawn carriage will cost about 20 CUC.

Rented transport

On the territory of the resort you can rent:

1. Bicycle. Rentals are available at most hotels. Cost from 3 CUC per hour. Bicycle transport is convenient for trips within the city.
2. Scooter. You can rent in rental companies, the price per day of use is from 30 CUC.

Important! If you are going to rent a bike or scooter, think carefully about how you will ensure its safety in case you need to leave on the street. 2 minutes are enough for thieves in Varadero to deprive a tourist of transport.

3. Car. Car rental is possible directly at the resort or at the airport. It is worth paying attention to the rental offices Cubacar, Havanautos, Rex.

The price of a car depends not only on the technical characteristics of the car, such as the type of gearbox. The time of rest and the period of car rental are among the decisive factors.

A small car with a manual transmission in the low season will cost about 67 CUC, in the high season - 80 CUC.

Important! All companies require a deposit of up to 250 CUC. A number of car rental companies will charge 20 CUC more if the car is rented at the airport. Others will ask for money if the car is returned to a rental location other than the pickup location.

Communication and Internet

Going to the resort, be prepared to take a break not only from everyday work, but also from the phone and the Internet.
Russian communication is not stable and cheap.

It is preferable to use the services of the local monopoly telephone company ETECSA (Cubacel). The SIM card of this operator can be rented. The cost is 3 CUC/day. The contract is concluded at the company's offices located at the airports of Varadero and Havana, and at the representative office between Calle 44 and Calle 46.

Internet in the resort area is paid, the cost of an hour of use is 2 CUC. A special card is required.
Wireless network is present at the airport and several hotels.

Kitchen

Local restaurants are ready to please their visitors with dishes from different cuisines of the world.

For Cuban food, head to traditional local restaurants.

By the way. Cubans disagree with the notion that dinner should be easy. Toast and coffee for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch and a hearty evening meal - this is the principle of nutrition local residents.

Dinner at a Cuban restaurant is a great opportunity to taste traditional food in all its diversity. Particularly popular are the Cuban soup ajiaco and the stew La Caldosa, which includes chicken, ham, sweet potato, various vegetables and spices.

While relaxing in Varadero, visiting resort restaurants and deciding what to try, pay attention to seafood. Here they are considered the pinnacle of local gastronomy.

Do not forget to taste the famous Cuban rum and cocktails based on it.

What to see and what to do?

Varadero is not the place to explore historical sights. Fascinating entertainment during the day, unbridled fun at night, contemplative relaxation and best beaches- this is why hundreds of thousands of tourists go to this Cuban resort.

Beaches

We say "Varadero Beach", we mean 20 km. white sandy beaches along the coast.

By the way, no matter who is in charge of any area of ​​the beach, you can sit on it absolutely free.

The beach strip of the resort is distinguished by a gentle entrance to the sea. Coastal waters abound with underwater beauty: caves, coral reefs, unusual sand mounds.

The infrastructure is represented by various cafes, points of water entertainment

Beach safety

If the selected part of the beach is not wild, then a calm and safe holiday is provided by security.

The danger is represented by the inhabitants of the underwater world. Portuguese ships. These poisonous jellyfish can be washed ashore in large numbers after a storm. Their brilliance and beauty attracts children, which is fraught with serious burns.

Diving

Diving in Varadero is not only a measured contemplation of the sea depths, here you can go for exploration in underwater caves or dive into the darkness of the night.

Popular dive sites:
1. Playa Coral beach with a coral reef located here.
2. Bay of Pigs with the deepest diving level for this area - 30 meters.
3. Park Cayo Piedras del Norte - a place of sunken ships, among which there is even a domestic 100-meter ship.

The cost of diving varies depending on the selected diving site and the level of preparedness. One dive for a beginner will cost from 70 CUC. You will have to pay a minimum of 160 CUC for training.

Features of recreation and entertainment

Spending your vacation in Varadero, you should take a walk in one of the local parks - Hosone or Todo en Uno, go to the Vraikakos nature reserve, play golf or visit the local dolphinarium.

The center of the resort, the place where most cafes and restaurants are concentrated, where the Cuban flavor and temperament of the locals are keenly felt, is Avenida Primera Street. Here you can just take a walk good weather or go shopping in the rain.

Golf and Villa Xanadu

The local golf club is the only one in the country that has 18 holes on its territory. Golf will cost from 130 CUC.

On its lands there is an architectural landmark of the resort - Villa Xanadu. The first owner of the villa - I. Dupont, the owner of the company of the same name, in 1930 bought almost all the lands of the Hicacos Peninsula. The villa erected for him, designed to be the owner of a winter cottage, was the first mansion in Varadero. It was from her that the resort began its existence. Today, the iconic building houses only six rooms of a small hotel, a restaurant, a panoramic bar on the third floor, and wine cellars equipped by Dupont. Anyone can see the inside of the villa for a small fee.

Excursions from Varadero

The resort is a great place to visit the various Cuban regions and surrounding attractions.

Crocodile farm

Located 100 km from Varadero, the farm allows its guests to get acquainted with the formidable inhabitants, hold crocodiles in their hands and taste crocodile meat.

Jose Smith Sugar Factory

It is worth visiting this particular sugar factory in the country for a number of reasons:
1. It was here that the famous Havana Club was developed and sent to production.
2. A museum is equipped on the territory of the factory - directly the workshop premises and the equipment located in them. It is possible to see the whole process of making sugar and rum.
3. This is the closest sugar factory to Varadero.

The journey to the factory starts from the town of Cardenas, which is 20 km from the resort. From there, old factory locomotive trains, whose age exceeds 100 years, go to the plant.

Given the road, the tour will take about half a day.

Night life

With the onset of darkness, the hotels and clubs of the resort open their doors for everyone who wants to become a participant in colorful dance shows. The cost of the entrance ticket is within 15 CUC. Pay attention to establishments such as Casa de la Musica, Tuxpan, Internacional hotels.

For connoisseurs of live music - Mambo Club. Thirsty for the exotic - a nightclub in the Cuevos Los Pirates cave.

Shopping in Varadero, where to go shopping

Rampant shopaholics in Varadero will get bored. However, in the resort shops you can find a large number of interesting and unique products that can be brought to Russia as souvenirs.

What to bring from the trip?

Cuban rum, cigars, coffee, wooden idols from local craftsmen. Women may be interested in wardrobe items and accessories with national ornaments, perfumes made from exotic ingredients, jewelry made of pearls, corals and silver.

Where to buy?

1. Shopping center "Plaza America", where there is everything, including rum, coffee, chocolate.
2. The Roma House is a must-see place. Guests are introduced to the history of the drink, tastings are arranged and, of course, the widest range of Cuban rum is presented here.
3. House of cigars - in Cuba you can not buy cigars in malls or hotels. Only in the house of cigars the buyer receives a real quality product. Prices start from 3 CUC per piece.
4. Various street craft and shopping arcades. In such places it is necessary to bargain.

Varadero for children

Most 4-5 star hotels have children's infrastructure on their territory. In the park areas of the resort, children's towns are equipped and various attractions for children are organized.

Of the entertainment, you should definitely visit the local dolphinarium, where you can not only look at the inhabitants, you can swim with them.

You are going to Cuba with children, a group of friends or with a loved one. Resort Varadero will be able to meet the expectations of almost every tourist.

Why go to Cuba? To Cuba, which is warmed by the gentle sun all year round and smells of strong coffee. To sunbathe, swim, learn something new. But first things first!

Beaches. And they are all free, including umbrellas with sunbeds. Let's forget the pledges and closed territories of other countries and enjoy freedom on the Island of Freedom.

If flipping under the sun for an even tanning experience is not enough work for the vacationer, they will come to the rescue. diving, windsurfing, fishing(including underwater) boat trips and jeep safari. Seeing an old Indian cemetery, feeling the salt spray on your skin and visiting corals - all this is in your hands.

Everyone remembers the second part of the movie "Dirty Dancing"? The pre-revolutionary times are shown there, but now little has changed: dances, rhythms, jazz, disco ... listen to music and move! The most interesting is the Tropicana cabaret, which is located in the park right under the open sky.

Having gone to the Bay of Pigs (let the name not confuse anyone, this is one of the most beautiful places in the country!), guests enter the territory of an Indian settlement stylized as a priori. Also on the Zapata Peninsula there are crocodile farm"La Boca" (which in Spanish is "Mouth", and in this case, rather "Jaws").

And you can go to the agricultural zone, take a look how cigars are born what is interesting in the Indian cave "Cuena del Indio" and check how long the underground river is in this cave.

And Cuba is fun too! February for a span from Friday to Sunday, people walk in the open air: they sing songs, play guitars, they don’t worry about anything. There was a case (in 1990), the situation in the country left much to be desired: money and work were tight. Then february holidays cancelled. But everything is back to square one!

It is difficult to keep a small "comeback" in the history of the Cuban carnival. Until the slave system sank into oblivion, dark-skinned slaves rested nothing at all. For example, when the cane harvest was over, the owners allowed the slaves to organize traditional processions with national music and corresponding songs on the streets of the city. Thus, people far from Christianity greeted the saints and the Savior, but with their own flavor, as they honored the African gods. That's how this Cuban fiesta came about!

In Havana, its epicenter is the Malecon, along which huge puppets and dance groups dressed as cane pickers, overseers, cooks, and sentries pass, carrying luminous torch-poles in their hands. Trumpets and drums sound, the audience can't help but start moving to the beat. From modern trends - the performance of rap and pop hits.

Every two years, the capital of Cuba hosts the International Guitar Festival, which happens in May, with the same regularity guests come to the celebration of Caribbean culture in the fall. At the beginning of summer, they walk at the Festival of Caribbean Islands Culture, and in the middle of autumn - at a festival dedicated to sound. In Santiago de Cuba in early July, you can get to the festival of lights. To celebrate the New Year, Cubans dress up araucaria, pour water into the dishes and pour it out the window at 12 at night. By the way, getting under such an impromptu downpour is very cool, because on New Year's Eve in Cuba it can easily be +30 Celsius. And another interesting tradition is to stop the clock on the 11th strike of the chimes, this is done so that time can take a break and run with renewed vigor next year.

And finally, I would like to note that Cuba is considered as one of the centers sex tourism.

Excursions and entertainment in Cuba. In the 90s of the last century, the Cubans had to abandon the traditional February carnivals - a deep economic crisis raged in the country caused by the collapse of the socialist camp, to which the state's economy was tied. A beautiful tradition was revived only in last years. Carnivals take place in the capital of Cuba, on Varadero, in Santiago de Cuba.

Excursions in Cuba. Entertainment in Cuba

Every two years, the capital of the island is filled with irresistible music and temperamental dances that take place almost around the clock: this is how the Guitar Festival is celebrated. In addition, exciting events of the Karosas Chariot Carnival are organized here: for three whole evenings in a row, you can watch picturesque mobile theaters driving around the streets of Havana, comparsas ensembles and giant Munecones puppets parading, crowded carnivals having fun, attracting widespread musical shows .

The most famous in the world is the International Film Festival in Havana. It takes place in December and gathers the most famous masters of cinema from all over the world at its venues. For jazz lovers, Havana gives a delightful gift in the form of a large-scale jazz festival every two years in February. The annual Havana Cigar Festival is also held in February, attracting a huge number of visitors to the island. Every two years, Havana hosts the International Theater Festival in September, and the Havana Contemporary Music Festival in October.

Excursions in Cuba - Baracoa

The first two weeks of every February are devoted to the days of culture in Kamagneyan, similar events take place in April. In the same spring month, an electro-acoustic music festival is organized in the resort of Varadero, and in May, people walk at the Romeria de Mayo festival in Olgino. In October, the same resort celebrates the days of Spanish-American culture. The end of June is marked by the feast of Saint Juan in Trinidad, and the end of November is Trinitarian Culture Week.

Excursions in Cuba, attractions and entertainment

Among the most attractive places in Cuba stands out Guama - the Bay of Pigs on the Zapata Peninsula. Nearby is a reconstructed Indian village, which can only be reached by water - along a canal dug among luxurious tropical thickets and across Lake Guama del Tesoro. In the museum village you can see Indian housing, household items, means of producing household items. In addition, the nearby crocodile farm with 8,000 toothy pets will certainly attract your attention. After interacting with crocodiles, you can soak up the white sands Playa Larga beach, ordering crocodile meat dishes for lunch.

Excursions and entertainment in Cuba. Excursions in the capital of Cuba include visits to the monuments of colonial times: Morro Castle, central square city, the people's market of products of Cuban masters. Modern Havana will open up before you when you visit the Capitol, a number of interesting museums, shopping center La Rampa.

Sea excursions in Cuba

A glass-bottomed vessel called Varasub is a great opportunity to look into the eyes of the inhabitants of the deep sea. Before your enchanted gaze will appear colorful fish and fish, scurrying between heaps of corals and squirming marine plants.

Trip to Pinar del Rio

A trip to Pinar del Rio will give you an excellent opportunity to get acquainted in detail with the technologies of making famous Cuban cigars at a state-owned cigar factory.
On the same tour you will be able to visit the Cueva Del Indio Indian Cave, on the way to which you will enjoy boat trips along the underground river and swimming in cave waterfalls.

Excursions in Cuba - Trip to Pinar del Rio

Boating on the Canimar River

Boating on the Canimar River begins with a trip to the starting point in a jeep or in a bus. Arriving at the place, tourists are loaded onto rubber motor boats, accompanied by experienced instructors, and rush downstream for a distance of about 12 kilometers in the middle of a magical virgin forest full of unseen plants and birds. There are stops in the area of ​​the purest springs and beautiful cave lakes inside. There are also horseback riding trips to the mountains to the ancient Indian burial ground or just to the fresh mountain air, where you can have dinner and take a nap in hammocks.

Entertainment in Cuba - on the Canimar River

Trekking to the caves of Cuevas de Bellamar

Diving in Cuba

Diving is the favorite pastime of vacationers in Cuba, whose shelf reaches 26 square miles. Almost any place is great for snorkeling. Many small islands of the archipelago surround the coast, giving diving enthusiasts the opportunity to get the most out of diving in the clearest waters. The local fauna will captivate you with its diversity: thickets of algae, bizarre breaks in corals, jellyfish and huge sponges, underwater caves and grottoes, thousands of colorful fish flashing in front of your very nose - such impressions are unforgettable.

Fun in Cuba - Diving in Cuba

Trip to Varadero.

A trip to Varadero will mainly interest gambling fishermen. For a few hours spent with a rod in their hands on a small fishing boat, they, perhaps, will be able to satisfy the thirst for biting that has accumulated over all previous years. During fishing, its participants receive a comfortable cabin, alcoholic and soft drinks, all the necessary equipment and items for scuba diving. Freshly caught fish is cooked right in the sea - its taste is simply amazing.

Excursions to the city of Holguin

The city of Holguin is famous for its unusual park and Museum of the Revolution. There is also a state cigar factory, an excursion to which is in constant demand among tourists. The trip also includes a stop at observation deck Mayabe, from where breathtaking expanses open up, and the whole of Havana is visible at a glance. It is interesting to visit Holguin, both in the historical and modern part of the city. The attention of tourists is attracted by the ancient church of San Isidoro and the surrounding park Galixto Garcia.

Excursions in Cuba - Excursions in the city of Holguin