Travel advisory · CubaSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Cuba.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | Carefully consider if your presence in Cuba is essential; be prepared for significant disruption | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution | May 7, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Von Reisen nach Kuba wird derzeit dringend abgeraten | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Avoid non-essential travel to Cuba | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | voyages non essentiels déconseillés | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Varadero
Varadero is a beach resort on Cuba's north coast, known for its long white-sand beach. Visitors swim and snorkel there, dive the reefs offshore and take day trips to Havana, Zapata and Trinidad.
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Varadero is a beach resort on the Hicacos peninsula, on Cuba's north coast near the city of Matanzas. It is the best-known beach resort on the island, and its long white-sand beach faces the Straits of Florida. Hotels line much of the shore, from large all-inclusive resorts to smaller properties.
Most days here center on the water. Snorkelers and divers use the reefs offshore, and the sea along the beach suits swimming. Many visitors also use Varadero as a base for day trips to Havana, the Zapata wetlands and the colonial town of Trinidad. It suits beach holidays, couples, families and divers who want a quiet base with access to the rest of Cuba. The dry season, roughly November to April, is the most comfortable time to visit. Plan the stay around the beach and one or two day trips.
Varadero in five
- Read the current travel advice firstThe UK advises against all but essential travel to Cuba because of fuel, electricity and water shortages and flight suspensions. Most travel insurance will not cover travel against government advice.UK travel advice
- Get the tourist visa, then D'ViajerosTourists need a tourist visa or eVisa before travel, then the D'Viajeros form in the 48 hours before check-in, which gives a QR code.Visa and D'Viajeros steps
- Check the US rules before bookingOFAC says travel for tourist activities is not permitted for people under US jurisdiction, and the rules changed on 30 September 2026.Can Americans go?
- Bring cash for the whole stayThe UK says Visa and Mastercard are no longer accepted and ATMs will not pay out on international cards. US dollars and euros are widely accepted; only Cadeca may exchange money.Money guide
- Check what is actually runningExcursions and boat trips depend on fuel and power. Confirm each activity and your flight shortly before departure.Things to do
Need to know
- Airport
- Juan Gualberto Gómez (VRA), about 20 km from the resort area
- Getting there
- Flights are disrupted; check airline and UK advice
- Getting around
- Pre-arranged transfers; registered yellow taxis only
- Best base
- The Hicacos peninsula beachfront
- Time needed
- 3 to 5 days if the trip goes ahead
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Dry, coolerJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Dry, coolerFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
- MarchClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Dry, warmMarchClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dry, warmAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- MayRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Hot, wetterMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, wetter
- JuneRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low25°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 183 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane season
- JulyRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Hurricane seasonJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane season
- AugustRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Hurricane seasonAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane season
- SeptemberRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Hurricane seasonSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 212 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane season
- OctoberRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low25°Hurricane seasonOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane season
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Hurricane seasonNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Dry, coolerDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
Average daily high and low in Varadero, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Varadero
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
30
- Feels like
- 36°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 32%
Varadero
03:40 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°24°32%Monday: Clear. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 32%.
- Tue28°25°22%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Wed28°24°16%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Thu28°25°9%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Fri27°24°5%Friday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat28°23°4%Saturday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun27°22°19%Sunday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 19%.
Updated 12:42 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 24 CUP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Havanalong day by road; fuel permittingThe Cuban tourism portal lists Havana city tours among Varadero's star excursions.Read the guide
- Trinidadvery long day by road; consider an overnightColonial streets, paired on portal excursions with Cienfuegos.Read the guide
- Viñalesvery long day; consider an overnightThe Pinar del Río tobacco valley, also listed among portal excursions.Read the guide
Before you go to Varadero
Rules for Varadero, checked
- Tourists need a tourist visa before travel and must complete D'Viajeros: within 72 hours before arrival (UK), 48 hours before check-in (Germany).Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Drones are not allowed into Cuba; they are confiscated on arrival and returned only on departure.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Travel for tourist activities is not permitted for persons subject to US jurisdiction; only 12 categories of travel are authorized.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Varadero FAQ
Is it safe to travel to Varadero right now?
The UK government advises against all but essential travel to Cuba, citing fuel, power and water shortages, protests and flight suspensions. Check your own government's advice and your insurance before you book.
Can Americans go to Varadero?
Not for tourism. OFAC says travel-related transactions are only permitted for 12 categories of activities, and tourist travel is not permitted. The rules changed on 30 September 2026.
Do you need a visa for Varadero?
Yes. Tourists need a tourist visa before travel, then the D'Viajeros form, which the UK says to complete within 72 hours before arrival and Germany within 48 hours before check-in. The Cuban tourism portal gives a maximum stay of 90 days, extendable by 90.
Can you use credit cards in Varadero?
The UK government says international Visa and Mastercard cards are no longer accepted and ATMs will not give cash against them. Bring enough cash for the whole stay.
How far is Varadero airport from the resorts?
About 20 km, according to the Cuban tourism portal. Use a pre-arranged transfer or a registered yellow taxi, since fake taxi drivers operate at airports.