Varadero has a great beach and sea, lots of hotels, few tourist attractions, restaurants and it is safe to hang around.
I spent my holiday there but I didn't really get a real taste of Cuba apart from the day I left it to go to Havana and drove through other towns and villages.
It's ideal for a holiday if you plan to spend most of your time in and around your resort but not the right place to choose for a holiday if you prefer experiencing Cuba.

I travelled to Varadero, Cuba with my partner in late April 2009. I found it a pretty typical all-inclusive resort experience. Varadero itself is not much to write home about - the resorts are all along the peninsula, and the town itself it right at the begining of the peninsula. We took a bus into town from the resort area and went for a meander. We enjoyed it - much less pushy than in Havana. The beaches are gorgeous - warm water, white sand - it was very windy when we were there. Not sure if this is normal or not. There wasn't much in the way of shopping/restaurants - pretty typical touristy stuff - nothing really unique to say about it.

We had a great time, but I'm not sure I would return to Cuba. I didn't find any of the excursions all that interesting from the resorts, and I'm not particularly interested in the revolution history monuments and such in Cuba, and that's really all there is to look at.

I am glad I went and experienced Cuba, but unless there is some kind of really cheap deal when I'm looking to go to an all-inclusive vacation, I'm not sure I would return. I much prefer Mexico and Jamaica.

Having just returned from two weeks in Cuba we are already planning our return. In all my years of travelling i have never come across such a sincere & warm race of people. These guys live their life with a smile & a genuine warmth for each other & all of us tourists. We stayed in the Bleu Varadero Hotel which is a magnificent modern hotel set just back from the beach. The staff, food, rooms & pool were all fantastic although the furniture in the room is ready for a change. The view from the room was great & you could watch Cuba come to life each morning. My only complaint in the hotel would be the fact that the Canadians have started to tip the staff before they recieve any service!!! Surely that defeats the object of tipping?!!
A trip into Varadero is a must, as this is were you get to see the real Cuba. Yes there is poverty but i have seen a lot worse. Wandering off the main roads we never felt as if we should not be there & genuinly felt safe. Look out for the big old wooden house on the main street. How this has remained standing after all these years is a testament to the Cuban spirit !!!
We found two small markets & one larger one in Varadero all selling much the same but with no pressure to buy from the stall holders, unlike in some countrys. Drinks & food were cheap from the cafes & despite rumours, we were never overcharged. If you are ever in doubt about your bill then simply ask for a reciept then any "mistake" will quickly be rectified!!
You can travell around Varadero on the open topped bus all day for 5 pesos, so this will enable you to see plenty. Though be warned this is a slow means of travel as the bus stops constantly to pick up passengers. Due to this you could be exposed to the midday heat, so be sure to protect your neck & head.
Taxis are state owned so the prices are worked out by the metre at about 1peso per mile so a trip into Varadero at night wont cost you too much. The price of the old classic American taxis are alot more expensive so come to a price agreement first.
Havana is my new Nirvana..what an amazing place.Two hours drive away fom Varadero ,this is a capital city in need of a paint brush -but dont be put off by this..There cannot be many cities left with such character, what you see is what you get. The smell, the music, the noise. the character of this place is a rareity in todays consumer society we live in. When an old building is taken down, they replace it with a small park so in the middle of all this hustle & bustle you have a small oasis with trees & benches dotted around everywhere.
There are plenty of things to see, just not enough time too see them all which is why we are going back, only this time we will be staying in Havana. Sorry if i have gone on a bit but after two weeks back in Blighty & a fading suntan, already im missing Cuba..especially the Mohitos !!

bella costa was amazing