Figuring out how to get from Havana to Varadero is not as simple as it seems. In fact, you’ll need to do a bit of planning. The good news? With my first-hand expertise, I have laid out all the options for you. In this post, you’ll find the quickest, cheapest, most convenient, and most fun ways to get from Havana to Varadero.
Havana and Varadero are two of the best destinations to visit in Cuba. As the capital city, Havana (or La Habana) is the heart of Cuban culture, with old cars, tasty Cuban cocktails, and colourful city streets. Varadero on the other hand is the perfect place to relax on white sand beaches, dive into warm clear waters, and enjoy the ease of resort life. The best part? These two fantastic destinations are located near to each other on the beautiful Caribbean island. You can easily get the best of both worlds!
Whether you are visiting Varadero as a day trip from Havana or need to return back to your resort, it can be tricky to figure out the best way to get from Havana to Varadero. Luckily, there are many travel options available to get you to and from.
In this post, you will find a complete breakdown of all the different ways to get to Varadero from Havana. Although, this information can easily be applied to the journey both ways. You’ll find the best options based on your travel guidelines, such as journey times, budget, convenience, and more. Here is a complete guide on how to get from Havana to Varadero with ease!
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Where is Varadero? Driving Distance From Havana
Varadero is one of the best beach destinations in the world. It is a resort town located in Cuba’s western province of Matanzas, specifically in the Hicacos Peninsula. The driving distance between old Havana and Varadero beach is about 145 km and takes 2 hours each way.
How to Get From Havana to Varadero: A Complete List of 7 Options
1. Take a Day Trip with a Tour Operator
If you are visiting Varadero as an excursion from Havana, then the easiest way to get there is through a guided day trip. On a day trip, the tour operator will handle all of your transportation both there, back, and around Varadero. The only work you need to do is book the tour! Varadero is not the most walkable destination, so having the transportation figured out to get around while you’re there is a great bonus. Plus having a local tour guide with you can enhance your experience!
The drive takes about 2 hours, but depending on your guide, you might stop along the way. When I did a day tour, we stopped at a couple of places for our guide to point out the view!
You can find a small variety of day trips to Varadero from Havana. They will offer different lengths of time for the tour and you can usually tailor the tours to see what you want to see. Due to the 2-hour drive time each way, day trips usually last the entire day, sometimes up to 12 hours. You can find one of the tour options here.
Summary of Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- The tour operator will handle all of your transportation for you
- The ease of getting around Varadero once you are there
- A knowledgeable local guide can add to the experience
Cons:
- Less independence to explore on your own
- Extra costs associated with having a tour guide (it is highly recommended to tip both the guide and the driver)
- Some tours might require a minimum number of participants to run
Cost: The average cost of a day tour to Varadero from Havana is approximately 60 Euros (about $65 USD).
Total Travel Time: 4 hours (2 hours each way)
2. Pre-Arranged Private Transfer
The fastest way to get from Havana to Varadero is through a pre-arranged private transfer. Also an easy option, all you’d need to do is arrange a pick-up time and location in advance, meet the driver, and then be on your way. They will drop you off exactly where you want to go.
There are 3 main vehicle options to choose from when arranging your private transfer. They are a classic car, a regular one, or a minivan if your group has more than 4 people.
You can arrange a private transfer through your accommodation or with different companies online. We chose to do a private transfer from Havana to Varadero and booked online with the company Havana 60. The driver picked us up at our agreed-upon location and drove us directly to our resort in Varadero.
Summary of Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- This is the quickest way to get from Havana to Varadero
- It is the most convenient option with very minimal hassle
- Arranged in advance, so no uncertainty day-of
Cons:
- Your transportation costs will be higher, as you’ll be paying more for the extra convenience
Cost: About 120$ USD
Total Travel Time: 2 hours
3. Shuttle From Your Accommodation
Another quick option is to take a shuttle between destinations. Depending on your accommodation, there are some hotels and all-inclusive resorts that arrange or offer their own shuttles to nearby popular destinations. There are also companies that can arrange a shuttle transfer from the Havana airport to Varadero.
Shuttle transfers are shared and involve making multiple stops to pick up other people before driving to your final destination. As a result, a shuttle might have some of the convenience of a private transfer but will take a little bit longer. But the cost definitely reduces since you are sharing the ride with others!
Summary of Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- The convenience of simply having to arrange a pickup time and location
- Reduced costs
Cons:
- Takes a little bit of extra time to pick up other guests
- Having to share the space with others
Cost: The cost will completely depend on the accommodation offering it and how many people are sharing the shuttle. Although, you can expect it to be a fraction of the cost of a private transfer.
Total Travel Time: 2.5 hours (depending on how many stops)
4. Classic Car (Private Transfer with a Twist)
One of the most popular ways to get around in Cuba is to ride in style in a classic car! The vibrantly coloured vintage cars are an absolute icon to the Cuban travel experience now. Classic cars fill the streets and a ride in one of them is a must when visiting the Caribbean island.
Many travellers to Cuba find themselves wondering why there appear to be more classic cars on the road than regular ones. The answer is filled with history and politics. Cuba has never had their own automotive industry, relying solely on foreign imports. In the mid-1900s, most of these cars came from the United States, however after political ties shifted and the 1960 embargo was implemented, this came to a complete halt. The consequence? No new cars were coming into the country. This left Cuban citizens with the challenge of having to innovate and learn how to repair their own cars over time, leaving the country filled with the now-considered classic cars. Nowadays, the majority of car owners in Cuba are actually much younger than their vehicles!
Taking a classic car as a private transfer is the perfect way to get an experience from the necessary transportation. They will pick you up from your accommodation and take you directly to where you want to go in Varadero. I also believe that riding in a classic car makes the high cost of a private transfer even more worth it.
Summary of Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- You get to experience one of the best things to do in Cuba
- It is a quick way to get to Varadero
- It is convenient to book and get there
Cons:
- Slightly less comfortable than a regular car taxi (no seatbelts, no air conditioning)
- On the more expensive end of transportation options
- Likely not considered safe for young kids
Cost: $120 – $130. Due to the abundance of classic cars in Cuba, the price difference between a classic and a regular car is minimal
Total Travel Time: 2 hours
5. Private Taxi
Similar to the efficiency of a private transfer, you can also get a private taxi. The difference between the two is that with a private taxi, you will have to arrange the ride in the moment, not in advance.
How to Find Taxi Drivers in Havana
You can find yourself a ride by visiting a taxi stand or finding taxi drivers in the popular tourist hot spots in Old Havana. Parking lots in these popular areas are a great spot to find taxi drivers hanging around waiting to offer tourists a ride. You can also find taxi drivers waiting outside the Viazul bus station.
Due to the long drive and the fact that the driver would need to make their way back to Havana, it might take you a few tries before finding a driver willing to take you to Varadero. Bartering skills will come in handy, as you’ll need to negotiate a price with the taxi driver before getting in for the ride. You may get them down cheaper than a pre-arranged private transfer.
You can get them to drop you off on the main road in Varadero, which is a good jumping-off point for exploring the town and catching a bus to public beaches in the area.
Summary of Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Potentially cheaper than a private transfer
- More spontaneous if you want more flexibility to decide when you leave Havana
- A direct and quick way to get to Varadero
Cons:
- It might take you a few tries to get a taxi
- Negotiating can be stressful for some
Cost: They usually cost between $90 – $120 depending on your negotiation skills
Total Travel Time: 2 hours
6. Taxi Collectivo (Shared Taxi)
A great way to combine the convenience of a direct taxi with a more budget-friendly option is to take a shared taxi. Also referred to as a Taxi Collectivo, this is an excellent option for smaller groups of only 1 – 2 people. The taxi ride will be direct from Havana to Varadero, with other travellers sharing the cab to reduce costs.
The easiest way to arrange a shared taxi is through your accommodation. A lot of hotels and casas will be happy to arrange this in advance for you with their other guests. If this option doesn’t work for you, the alternative is to go to the taxi stands and wait for other travellers to come along that are going to Varadero as well. You can arrange this with the taxi driver so that he can help you identify tourists who are going to the same spot. With this option, you’ll definitely need some time flexibility to potentially wait for others who are going to the same spot. It also works best in peak tourist season, when there are more people travelling around Cuba.
Summary of Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- The cheapest direct option to Varadero from Havana
- You may make some new friends along the way!
Cons:
- You’ll need some time flexibility
- Sharing transportation with strangers is not everybody’s thing
- You’ll still need to negotiate the price
Cost: Between $20 – $30 USD per person
Total Travel Time: 2 – 3 hours (accounting for waiting times for other travellers)
7. Public Transportation on the Viazul Bus
The final and cheapest way to get from Havana to Varadero is by taking local Viazul buses. The bus ride takes about 3 – 4 hours to get to Varadero. The bus drives at slower speeds than cars and will make a short stop along the way for people to use the bathroom. The Viazul buses have mixed reviews, with some travellers finding them to be comfortable air-conditioned coaches and others disagreeing. They travel from Havana to Varadero about every 4 hours.
When visiting during peak season, you will likely need to purchase your bus tickets in advance with an online booking. This is because the buses can fill up quickly and there might not be tickets left to purchase in person. Some people have experienced issues with the Viazul website. In that case, its best to arrive at the bus station super early (like over an hour early) to buy your tickets there. In the shoulder and off-season, you can purchase your bus tickets from the Viazul terminal without worry.
Summary of Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Cheapest option available by a long shot
Cons:
- Takes a long time to reach your final destination
- Less comfort and convenience
- Some travellers have mentioned being required to arrive 1 hour before their departure in order to reserve their seats
Cost: The cost of taking the Viazul bus is between $8 – $12
Total Travel Time: 3 – 4 hours
Transportation to Varadero from the Havana Airport
If you want to transfer to Varadero straight from the Havana airport, then the only direct option is by private taxi or transfer. The Havana airport is located about 21 km or 35 minutes outside of the city centre. As a result, the options to get to Varadero are slightly more limited. For example, in order to take the bus, you’d need to taxi or shuttle from the airport into the city centre first.
You can arrange a private transfer in advance so that someone is waiting for you at the airport. Or there are tons of taxi drivers waiting outside the arrivals section that you can negotiate a ride with.
Cost: You can expect to pay around $130 USD for a direct taxi from Havana to Varadero
Transportation to Havana from the Varadero Airport
Very similar to the Havana airport, it can be difficult to get to Havana from the Varadero airport without a private taxi. The best way to get to Havana is to arrange a private transfer in advance or find a taxi driver willing to take you to Havana outside of the airport arrivals. Look for an H on the taxi license plates, because that means the taxi is from Havana and you’ll likely be able to negotiate a cheaper price with them.
Important Tips and Things to Know For Getting From Havana to Varadero
- You will have to pay with cash for all transportation options | Cash is king in Cuba, with very few spots offering machine payments. The main currencies that are accepted by taxi drivers and the bus are Euros, Canadian or American dollars.
- The prices for these different transportation options may vary | Especially when negotiation is involved, you shouldn’t always expect the price to be exactly what you see online. Taxi drivers will see that you are a tourist and upcharge you because of that. The prices in this post are more of a guideline of how much they should cost.
- Always inquire with the local staff at your accommodation | When trying to find transportation to Havana from our resort in Varadero, we asked the front desk if they could arrange a taxi. We ended up negotiating a transfer to Havana for only $80 CAD because the specific person we talked to had a friend willing to drive us. It never hurts to ask!
Final Thoughts on How to Get From Havana to Varadero
Finding your way from Havana to Varadero can seem a little difficult at times. It definitely isn’t the most straightforward, especially if you are on a budget. But the good news is there are tons of options to choose between. In summary:
The quickest way to get from Havana to Varadero: Pre-Arranged Private Transfers
The most fun/unique way: Classic Car Taxi Transfer
The easiest way: Day Trip Tour
The cheapest way: Viazul Buses
The best of both worlds (convenience and budget): Collective Taxi
There you have it! A complete breakdown of all the ways you can get from Havana to Varadero, with their pros, cons, and costs.
Happy adventuring!
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