Varadero is Cuba's most renowned and popular beach destination (Varadero is the common name for the entire length of the Hicacos Peninsula.) The peninsula, which takes its name from a local spiny cactus, is 13 miles long, with a nearly continuous broad band of fine white sand fronting a clear blue sea.

History

Although is not recognized in official documents, the name is due to the used that was given to the sand banks to stranded (in Spanish means “varar”) ships to be repaired and protected. That’s the reason why it calls the place where ships are stranded: varadero. This named appeared for the first time in 1759.

Geographic situation

Varadero is located at the North of Matanzas provinces and it is formed by three zones: Hicacos Peninsula, where is the historical varadero, his famous beach and the little Las Morlas town; at the Paso Malo bridge south with Santa Marta urban town and to the west with Boca de Camarioca.

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Is banished from surface land by the sailing canals that unify the Paso Malo lacuna with open sea and the Cardenas Bay.

Is limited at the north and west with Florida, at the south with Cardenas, at southeast with the Cardenas Bay and at the east with the Sabana-Camagüey small islands.

Small Islands near Varadero:

- South: Piedra del Norte, Cayo Mono and Cayo Monito.

- East: Cayo Blanco

- Northwest: Cayo Cruz del Padres.

- South: Cayo Libertad and Cayo Buba.

Because of the touristic destination, Varadero has a lot of hotels located all over the peninsula, among them one of the most ancient that still exists: the International Hotel, built in the 1950’s beginnings that preserves the decade atmosphere, so it involves the visitors into this magic aura.

At the same time the tourist has the option of rent a house, so he can be near the culture and society. No matter the choice, he can select a hotel or a house, and will discover and remember varadero as one of the best vacations of his life.

Shield

The town has a shield that represents the beginnings and traditions.

The seahorses: one of the endemic species in town.

The oars: the Oars boat races, one of the events that still exists until 1901.

The helm: the fish zone.

The pictographic cartoons: the 73 pictographic discovered at the place.

The wood grating and table: the materials used to build the houses.

The central construction: the first masonry construction, which becomes the Spanish Fort.

The seashell: the chorales sandbanks.

The ribbon: the varadero’s foundation day (December 5, 1887).

Celebrities

In 1926 the millionaire Irenee Dupont de Nemous bought his lands with a superficial extension of 512 hectares (nowadays include from the 54 street to Las Americas Restaurant). In 1929 he build his fancy residence (at the present where is the Las Americas Restaurant).