COMMUNISM'S BEST BEACH, VARADERO CUBASep 24 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line It's a great beach resort area, but it's not the real Cuba. Varadero, is the premiere Cuban resort area. In this narrow peninsula only barely nineteen kilometres long and at some points only a few hundred metres wide there are crammed over fifty hotels and resorts. The older and budget properties are located in and around the town at the southern end of the peninsula. Spread out towards the end are the luxury resort in their enclosed compounds. The reason for this concentration, is primarily the beach. Pure white sand and and 11.5 kilometres long, it is one of the finest in the world. Varadero has always been a resort town, even prior to the revolution. The rich and elite used to come from Havana 134 kilometres away to vacation here. Al Capone and the Dupont family both had residences here. Both are now restaurants. There is no way to totally describe all of the things to do in this small but lively resort town so no attempt will be made to. Varadero is a small town at some points only three or four streets wide, but crammed into this space are enough night clubs, bars, discos and restaurants to satisfy anyone's desires. Many of the more upscale establishments do take major credit cards (aside from American Express) and a Passport is required when paying by this method. By day there is not much to see or do, and many tourists appear to use the daytime to relax on the spectacular beach and recharge themselves for another evening of partying. The city tour is an excellent way to see those attractions there are, and to orient one self. One spot not to missed is the ice cream parlor, fallen on hard times of late, but still providing some of the best ice cream ever to locals and tourists alike. It is possible to walk almost anywhere in Varadero, the town is that small. Taxis if needed are plentiful, available twenty-four hours a day, and cheap. You can get anywhere in town for $4.00-$6.00 US. Moped rentals are available from various dealers, all private entrepreneurs, and for something more elegant there are horse drawn carriages, price negotiable. There are also a few black market taxis usually only slightly cheaper than the official tourist ones. Exchanging money in Varadero is an easy process. American dollars are the working currency as elsewhere in Cuba and can be exchanged for at most hotels. There are no ATMs in Varadero, but credit card cash advances can be obtained at the International Bank on Calle 32. Again a Passport is required. Specially minted Tourist Pesos in coins and small denomination notes are used along with the US currency. They have the same value and may be exchanged at the airport without a receipt. Cuban Pesos may be purchased at the official exchange rate from the bank and most hotels to a maximum of $5.00 and a receipt is issued to enable them to be exchanged back. There is really no need to have any Pesos as they are almost worthless and all prices are in Dollars. Offers to exchange are always made to tourists, but aside from being illegal, it is pointless as the money is worthless. It is illegal to take Cuban currency out of the country. In addition to being one of the major tourist regions of the country, Varadero is also becoming a major example of the now permitted but limited private enterprise system in Cuba. Many small independent businesses, now exist. The most numerous being the Paladares or private restaurants in peoples homes, and the Casa Particulares , rooms for rent, again in private homes This has legitimized what were once Black Market activities, although that still exists. One of the major areas of the Black Market is in the sale of Cuban cigars. While the price will seem attractive, unless one is an expert, the chances of being offered inferior quality cigars is almost certain. In addition be advised that any cigars purchased without an official receipt may be confiscated on leaving the country. It is unfortunate but true that Cuba has developed a reputation for sex tourism and prostitution that is known world wide. It is officially illegal and while the Government may make statements about it, until recently they have taken little action as it may affect the flow of hard currency into the country. Woman all over Cuba ply their trade every evening, and most are very brazen in their approach. To be fair it is the old law of supply and demand that is in effect here. That and the present economic problems. The real blame is with the increasing number of tourists who now come here solely for this purpose and have literally created the situation. In Varadero attempts to curb this have been successful of late, due to the geography of the place. A narrow peninsula with guarded access does allow for the control of persons entering the resort town. Varadero is no longer the Bangkok of the Caribbean that it was in the early 1990's. In a town of this size with so many tourists there is some crime obviously and while it may be more than that found in other Cuban cities, it is still less than other Latin American or Caribbean countries, and often less than in North America or Europe. Avoiding the poorer sections especially at night and not displaying expensive jewelry and cameras can minimize the chances of being robbed. The recent heavy police presence also helps. There are also a few pickpockets, including the previously noted money changers and working girls. Despite the heavy police presence don't count on getting any stolen property back, but they will take a report and give you a copy for insurance purposes. The Police here are more Approachable and less corrupt than most other Latin American countries, and often overlook small indiscretions by fun seeking tourists (aside from drugs), but don't press the issue. Most of the street vendors are engaged in legitimate business and provide goods and services like T-shirts, crafts, cigars, massages, manicures and informal tour guides. A small number however will go to more extreme lengths to separate you from your money so exercise caution. Varadero does offer a lot to the visitor as you can see. However one thing you will not find here are Cubans. The previously noted barrier at the entrance to peninsula also serves to bar the average Cubano as well as the potential petty criminal and/or hustler. The only Cubans one finds in Varadero these days are those that either live and/or work there.  |
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