Varadero Beach in Cuba has been named among other greats such as in Praia da Falésia in Portugal, Spiaggia dei Conigli in Italy and La Concha Beach in Spain on a list of the best in the world
A 13 mile long beach on a sun-drenched island has been named one of the best coastal spots in the world.
In a recent ranking of the best beaches in the world, Praia da Falésia in Portugal’s Algarve came out at the top of the pile thanks to its clean, golden sands and crystal-clear waters that are ideal for a dip. Another beach which also broke into the top 10 is a little less accessible for UK based sunseekers, but is probably worth the trip.
“Varadero Beach has everything you’d expect from a picture-perfect beach: Golden sand, turquoise-blue water, and stunning sunsets. The gentle waves are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, or kayaking. Hop on a catamaran, go fishing, play a round of beach volleyball, walk along the shore—there’s lots to do. Or just kick back and enjoy the beautiful, natural scenery (you really can’t go wrong),” Tripadvisor writes of the beach.
Cuba’s top beach is situated on a 13-mile-long peninsula that seems to stretch on forever. It has powder soft sands which are lapped by startlingly the blue waters of the Kawama Channel. The peninsula it is situated on is just a few hundred metres wide, so you’re never more than a couple of minutes away from it when exploring.
Along the shore you will find resort hotels that have been teeming with the great, good and not so good for the past hundred years. The hotels have long been a favourite of both celebrities and gangsters, including Al Capone.
“Clubs and bars provide mojitos and merriment, after long days baking on the beach, golfing, diving or deep sea fishing. Rent a scooter or hop aboard an open-air tourist train or bus to see more of this stunning spot. Caves, keys and virgin forest add to the area’s allure,” Tripadvisor continues.
Arguably what sets Varadero apart from other similar beaches is that there is so much to do when you’re there.
If you’re hungry, seafood is cheap, plentiful and very fresh. Fish, shrimp and – by far the star in Varadero- lobster are easy to come by at restaurants including La Vaca Rosada, Terracita’s Cafe, and La Rampa. “Expect just delicious seafood here in an environment that feels like you’ve been invited into someone’s home. While it’s friendly and local, it’s also getting quite popular, so go for lunch or a particularly early or late dinner,” Home to Havana writes.
Many of the resorts along the stretch offer day passes, so you can drop by for a spot of lunch or to try out their water parks and swimming pools. The area is also known for its caves, the most famous and impressive of which are the Cueva de Ambrosio and Cueva de Saturno. Cueva de Saturno is filled with incredibly clear water, while in the Cueva de Ambrosio you’ll find dozens of historic indigenous paintings.
Flopping down on the beach and basking in the sun is also an option, as is hiring a snorkel or full scuba diving equipment to check out the coral reefs and shipwrecks which run along parts of the bay. In March Cuba enjoys temperatures of around 29C, making it an ideal place to escape to during the winter.
“This is a beautiful area about two hours from Havana. There are places to stay here but we just went for the day. The water is beautiful. The drive from Havana is cool too; you pass through some very scenic countryside and towns. We brought a picnic but there seemed to be plenty of places to get food and drinks a quick walk from the beach,” one happy beachgoer recently wrote on Tripadvisor.
Another added: “Having done a few oven beach trips with my little one this was the first time he played in the ocean and likely due to the clear water and he could see his feet and the calm waves. The sand was soft with no seaweed, sharp shells or rocks in our resort area. Beaches alone are worth the trip.”
World’s top 10 best beaches
- Praia da Falésia – Algarve, Portugal
- Spiaggia dei Conigli – Sicily, Italy
- La Concha Beach, Basque Country, Spain
- Ka’anapali Beach – Maui, Hawaii
- Grace Bay Beach – Turks and Caicos, Caribbean
- Anse Lazio, Seychelles
- Manly Beach, NSW, Australia
- Eagle Beach – Aruba, Caribbean
- Siesta Beach, Florida, US
- Varadero Beach – Cuba, Caribbean
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