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Travel Tips For First Time Travelers To Varadero Cuba
Having returned from an another amazing beach vacation to Cuba,
I thought I would put together a few …
Varadero Cuba Travel Tips
things that we discovered on our holiday.
I always like to make note of a few helpful tips and tricks that we’ve discovered, when traveling to new destinations.
Things that I can then pass on to you, here on my blog.
This was our 2nd visit to Varadero from our home in British Columbia Canada. A number of years ago, we had a wonderful all inclusive beach vacation on beautiful … Varadero Beach.
Things have changed quite a bit since our first visit.
Varadero Cuba Travel Tips
Arriving By Air To Varadero Airport
The majority of travelers going to Cuba for a vacation, will be arriving by air into; Varadero’s Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport. Prior to arrival and during your flight, cabin crew will hand out tourist cards, to each individual.
These must be filled out (with no mistakes) on both portions of the card!
Upon your arrival to Varadero Airport and as you enter the Customs and Immigration Booth, the customs officer will keep one portion of the tourist card, and hand you the other.
Note:
Surprisingly on this visit, the Customs Officers Did Not collect one portion. We did however, still have to present both to the officer, when leaving to return home.
So, be sure not to lose this tourist card while in Cuba!
You will need to hand this back as you proceed through customs at the airport, when returning home.
Keep it safe along with your passport, during your time in Cuba.
Then head outside after retrieving your 🧳 baggage, to your awaiting; hotel bus transfer, taxis or other transportation arrangements, if previously arranged.
Money Exchange At The Varadero Airport
Arrivals
Update
The Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC pronounced Cook) or Cuban tourist currency, is no longer used.
It is now strictly the; Cuban Peso.
As you proceed outside after retrieving your luggage, there may or may not be a; government money exchange booth open any longer. You were able to exchange most visitor home currency for the Cuban Peso, at the time of our visit a few seasons ago.
Exchange rates seem very common at most places that are available in the country. Hotels, CADECA’s (national currency exchange booths) are available at numerous locations, along the Varadero strip as well.
The best currency to take to Cuba is either; GBP, EUR or CAD, which you exchange for CUP easily.
U.S. cash apparently is no longer accepted.
ATM machines can be found at banks and around the popular tourist areas, but beware of the service charges expected, when using this service.
We found the exchange rate at our resort to be quite reasonable and much better, then exchange booths, which I would not recommend.
We simply brought an expected amount of Canadian cash with us to exchange, when we arrived. Our hotel room had a secure safe for our; passports, cash and other valuables.
Without going into great detail here, the Cuban Peso is struggling. Locals are always looking to exchange their money for yours, and offer a much higher rate, than at the banks or ATM’s.
At the time of our visit, the typical exchange rate was 18 CUP for 1 Cdn Dollar. On our transfer bus, we were offered; 30 to 1. While at our resort and at the Varadero Markets, they were offering; 70 to 1!
So, wait to exchange your money with locals!
Make sure the {Cuban Peso Bills} have a picture of a person on them. The Old Cuban Convertible Peso, does not have people shown on the bills.
So beware of this when exchanging your money in the country.
We exchanged enough $20 denominations to use as tips for our resort staff. As well, we used Canadian dollars occasionally for our resorts housekeeper.
They are very happy to receive both forms of currency from you, as a gratuity!
Departures
Cuban law states that you are {Not Allowed} to take any Cuban Currency out of the country with you.
We found no one really cares, or checks to see if you are.
Dual Voltage For Charging Your Electronic Devices
Even though I carry a small travel adapter when traveling out of North America, Cuba has dual voltage for the most part, in many large resort hotels.
Voltage is 110/220 and there may or may not be a switch that you slide, on the receptacle for the appropriate voltage.
As I’m always concerned about low voltage spikes, power surges and so on, I also have a; power surge protector I will take with me to foreign countries.
This prevents any unexpected disaster from happening and ruining your devices, leaving you without when traveling.
Wi-fi Internet Service In Cuba
In some hotels in Varadero, you may need to purchase; 1 hour wi-fi access cards. A small inconvenience, but it’s only 1 cuc (Cuban Convertible Peso) for an hour.
During our stay, you could only buy {one hour} cards.
At our 3 star rated hotel, wi-fi could only be accessed in a few of the public common areas. The lobby, main pool, bar and so on. I’m sure each and every hotel is different, depending on the star rating and included amenities.
Note:
On our second and most recent visit, we received 5 hours free wi-fi per person, and the internet connection was excellent!
So, depending on where you are staying, the scratch card option, may or may not still be used.
There is a section on the back of these cards that you have to scratch, to access your pin number that is needed when signing in to access wi-fi. These cards are very cheap, as explained by our hotel staff. So I recommend getting a staff member that sells you the cards, to scratch it for you.
They know what they’re doing!
Many visitors ruined their cards trying to scratch the code, with a coin or finger nail, including myself.
Not a big deal, but it will cost you 1 cuc! (Cuban Convertible Peso)
Purchasing Cuban Rum – Cigars and Coffee
Prices are pretty much set all over for these two items. We didn’t see much of a difference in price, in all the stores we entered.
I believe prices for these items are regulated by the government.
Be warned though when purchasing cigars from; unofficial shops.
For those who wish to purchase fresh Cuban Cigars, be sure to check out my post on …
Cuban Cigar Scams
to make sure you are buying; Authentic Cigars.
Varadero Beach Hop On/Hop Off Bus Service
There’s a great way to go up down the {Varadero Hotel Strip}. It’s their Hop On/Hop Off Double Decker bus service.
It runs throughout the day starting at 9 am, and finishes around 5 pm. It’s an excellent and affordable way to get to shops, attractions, restaurants, and other resorts located all along the Varadero Strip.
We made stops at the; shopping plaza, marina and the markets along the strip. We found it quite relaxing to go up top, sit back, relax and enjoy the breeze and scenery, on their route.
The cost was $5 cuc for the entire day, but on our last visit a few seasons ago, it was $5 cdn.
Still can’t beat that, as taxi’s are now, very expensive!
Final Varadero Travel Tips Notes
In wrapping up here with a just a couple of more suggestions;
Pack enough sunscreen with you for your vacation. As with most places we’ve traveled to over the years, sunscreen is very expensive.
We didn’t see any for sale on our last visit, as supplies are very low in Cuba, for most anything!
Pack snacks for the plane, and while at your destination.
We always pack; granola bars, peanuts, and other goodies with us wherever we go.
There have been many times over the years, that we were glad we did!
For a refreshing drink with alcohol, do try their official Cuban cocktail; “Mojito.”
It’s refreshing and is mixed with real mint!
The main ingredients include;
white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and real mint.
Made properly by an experienced bartender, it’s delicious!
For those staying at all inclusive resorts, I do recommend tipping hotel staff, that treat you well.
They work very hard for very little, and a small gratuity goes a long way!
As mentioned, I always left a small tip at meals and at the bars, during our 2 week stay. Staff were so grateful for receiving a small gratuity each time.
Be sure to check out my post on …
Tipping On Inclusive Vacations
for a closer look on this subject.
🥜 If you love 🥜 peanut butter, you better pack some with you. It’s pretty much non-existent where we’ve stayed and eaten in Cuba.
Above all, enjoy Cuba, the people and your vacation!
I have also listed a very helpful {Cuba Tourist Board} website below. You can access some excellent travel information including; the latest travel entry requirements and more, for visiting Cuba for the first time.
Be sure to check out the {Google Map} box at the bottom of this post for Playa Varadero’s exact location.
Gocuba
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It has been a few seasons since our last visit, if you have any updated tips to pass on, please do send me an email Contact Me and I will be sure to add it to this post. 🧐
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