Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport (VRA) is the gateway to Varadero and many package holidays see charter flights come in directly from Europe and from Canada. Flights come in with big charter and scheduled carriers from the likes of Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Cancun, and London, with Air Transat, British Airways, KLM and Mexicana.

The airport is about 17 kilometres west of the resort, between Matanzas and Varadero, and if you don’t have transfers in with your hotel package, taxi is the best bet for getting to the resort. Taxis can often be bargained down although this may be tough when it’s busy. Always agree on the price before leaving.

Most people staying out at the beach tend to walk, although public transport is available for getting between the beach, the town and the end of the peninsula. A double-decker, open-top bus runs from the peninsula to town via the main shopping centre, the open-air marketplace, and major hotels. Blue signs en-route indicate stops. Taxis are convenient and you will find stands in the town and at major hotels.

Motorised trikes (coco taxis) are okay for sightseeing and you can charter these, while scooters can be hired throughout town by the hour or day. You can also rent bicycles by the day, although cycling in the heat for more than a few hours can be tough going. Horse-drawn carriages (caleches) are quite popular in Varadero for couples and families, while cars can be hired at the airport or in town.