Hotels & accommodation (8/10):We stayed at Hotel Herradura. Perfect location by the sea, with nice clean air-condition rooms. Less then $30/night. Varadero has a wide selection of places to stay, from luxury hotels to cheap and charming family-run hostels.
Places to eat (8/10): There are many good italian restaurants in Varadero. You'll also find many sea food resturants (the sea food is really nice and fresh). Traditional Cuban, Asia or international cuisine is also served all over town. You can get what ever youre looking for and the food is good and cheap.
Beach (9/10):Very nice. The whitest sands i have ever seen. Warm clean water and beach.
Shopping (4/10):At the local market youll find some nice handmade stuff. Remember to bargain. I guess Cuba isnt the place to go for shopping.
Local culture & people (8/10): The cubans are such lovely people. Always smiling, laughing and very friendly. You wont see to much of the cuban culture in Varadero, as its 90% tourism and hotels, but Havana isnt far away, a nice day trip. You will see the old american cars running around in the streets of Varadero too.
Activities & Attractions (9/10):Beach activities, of course. But there are many other things to see and do: Diving, fishing, golf, dolphin shows, an amusment park, many cuban cabarets. For more cultural expierences, there are many old spanish forts, and a few museums. You wont get bored in your Varadero holiday!
Nightlife (8/10):Cabarets are very popular in Varadero. And there are many pub, bars and nightclub. The Cubans are a party loving people, so nightlife is always good.
Summary:Great beaches, lots of things to see and do, very friendly people, cheap. Varadero is great.
Review by Pavel, Czech Republic