Being a beach destination, Varadero has lots of activities available, from swimming and bathing to scuba diving and water sports. Golf, fishing and especially sailing are also popular here, while those looking for a bit more adventure should head for the International Centre for Air Sports for some parachuting.

Cayo Piedra Underwater Park
The Cayo Piedra Underwater Park is one of Varadero’s best dive sites. It is located in the northeast of Varadero and features several wrecks of old yachts, frigates and even planes that have been placed here on purpose for recreational exploration. An abundance of colourful tropical fish call the site home and this is one of the best places in Cuba to view them.

Fishing
The fishing in Varadero is excellent, with deep-sea fishing operations going after the likes of sailfish, marlin, tuna, barracuda and snapper, as well as more exotic creatures. Many fishing operations offer half- and full-day trips from Varadero. Some companies in town also offer fishing farther afield to the Ciénaga de Zapata area.

Golf
Varadero Golf Club is a fine 18-hole championship course located on the peninsula and is built in the British links style. It is pockmarked with lagoons and thus has plenty of water action, as well as some trees, yet little rough. Even if you can’t play, the green fees and buggy hire are worth the views of Cardenas Bay alone. 
Phone: +53 45 668 442; www.varaderogolfclub.com

International Centre for Air Sports
The International Centre for Air Sports (Centro Internacional de Deportes Aereos) offers parachute jumping and tandem skydiving. Pricing is reasonable and you can also do ultra-light flying from here, or from elsewhere on the beach on the cheap. The centre is on Via Blanca, a short drive from town across from Darsena Marina. 
Phone: +53 45 667 256

Sailing
Sailing options in Varadero are pretty comprehensive, with the chance to go on a cruise, or indeed to charter your own vessel. Varadero has a number of marinas where boats and boat trips can be had, with one of the most popular companies being Jolly Roger at Marina Chapelín. They have catamarans and offer half-day and full-day cruises out to nearby cays with snorkelling thrown in. 
Phone: +53 45 668 444

Scuba diving and snorkelling
Although Cuba doesn’t have the best diving in the world, there are many decent dive and snorkel sites off Varadero. These include Black Coral Bed, an old wreck, and the Underwater Park, while farther afield there is better diving off of Playa Larga and Playa Giron. Your hotel should be able to arrange a dive trip for you, or simply pop down to Varadero Beach and find an operator.

Cultural options in Varadero are a bit thin on the ground although there are items of interest if you have a look around. The beach Artisan Market can be fun when it’s running, and the Varadero City Museum and Xanadu Mansion are also worth a look. Worthwhile attractions are also outside town in the form of the Bellamar Caves and the Bacunayagua Bridge.

Artisan Market
Although all about the beach, Varadero does have other areas of interest for those who care to indulge. The revered Artisan Market is one such pleasure. Parque Central and Parque de las 8000 Taquillas stage the market, which can be found under sea grape trees on the beach. All sorts of arty stuff is on sale here, including paintings and handicrafts, and prices are very reasonable.

Bacunayagua Bridge
Cuba’s highest bridge spans the delightful Yumuri Valley and is a fine out of town attraction. The bridge spans a whopping 110-metre-plus, which is made all the more spectacular owing to its height. Getting here is made easy as it is on the main Via Blanca Havana to Varadero route and most bus tours also take in the bridge. Having your own car is the way to go and allows you to explore the valley as well.

San Ambrosio Cave and Las Salinas
Although the Bellamar Caves are far superior in depth and scale, San Ambrosio Cave (Cueva de San Ambrosio) is interesting nonetheless and definitely worth a look. The whole area is an archaeological site of an African slave cave. The Las Salinas salt mine area is beautiful and is also worth a look, especially for those with an interest in birds.

Varadero Municipal Museum (Museo Municipal Varadero)
Situated in a lovely old building on Calle 57, Avenida de la Playa, Varadero Municipal Museum is of more interest from the outside, yet does have exhibits of interest on the history of the town. The colonial Caribbean building itself is a two-storey wooden affair painted blue and white with a red-tile roof and lies on pleasant grounds. 
Phone: +53 45 613 189.

Xanadu Mansion (Mansión Xanadu)
Located on Avenue Las Américas, Xanadu Mansion, also known as Dupont House (Villa DuPont), was the home of the wealthy DuPont family and is today a bed-and- breakfast and part of the Varadero Golf Course. The three-storey building overlooks the coast and features fine rooms and one of Varadero’s best restaurants. The lower level rooftop bar is perfect for sundowners. You can find Mansión Xanadu near Hotel Las Morlas. 
Phone: +53 45 668 482

Varadero isn’t big on gourmet dining, catering mainly to beachgoers in search of a quick snack, while many resorts offer all-inclusive board. Pizza houses and cafés doing sandwiches abound and you will also find open-air food stalls at the various markets in town as well as local fast food (pollo loco) joints. For a cheeseburger, ask for a hamburguesas con queso.

Although sit-down restaurants are in the minority, they are dotted about, with menus posted on the street. The restaurant at the Marina is really atmospheric and there are also some good ones at Plaza America shopping centre, while the Varadero Golf Course clubhouse is highly rated. A must-try tipple is the Cuban signature drink, Mojito, a white rum limejuice and freshly crushed mint concoction.

As you would expect with a high profile Cuban holiday destination, cigars and rum are widely available as are coffee and jewellery. Plaza America, near Xanadu Mansion, is Varadero's main shopping mall and one of the best in the entire country. Everything from specialist shops to some of the resort’s best eating can be had in here. Beach vendors selling the usual tourist tat are also pretty much ubiquitous.

For rum, head to Casa de Ron in town, which has the best selection, while just across the street is the town’s best selection of cigars. Prices are leaner here than at other gift shops and typical hotel shops. Varadero also has many outdoor arts and crafts markets, with Artesanía on Avenida 1 being the best. Also on this street is Taller de Ceramica Artistica, a pottery studio.