Varadero. Photo: TTC.

Varadero, Cuba’s main beach resort, is ready for the winter season, as was confirmed by Ivis Fernández Peña, delegate of the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) in the western province of Matanzas.

At a press conference at the Meliá Internacional Hotel, the delegate gave details about the investment and maintenance actions in the tourism hub, with a view to Cuba’s upcoming reopening.

According to the official, a significant group of improvements have been made at the destination, a large part carried out by its own workers. Inside the hotel and non-hotel plant, more than 20,600 actions have been concluded for this purpose, especially work on buildings, systems, furniture, equipment, decoration in rooms, service areas, beach and swimming pool, kitchen, reception, among others. More than a hundred actions will be concluded soon with a view to the winter season.

She emphasized the restoration work carried out at the Mystique Casa Perla facility, managed by the Blue Diamond chain, which has been incorporated to Varadero’s high-standard offer.

The MINTUR delegate in Matanzas highlighted the multiplicity of services and good reception of Varadero’s new Boulevard product, located at the end of the historic center of the beach resort, between 61st and 64th streets, 1st and 2nd avenues, surrounded by several facilities that provide important services for the visitor such as banking, health centers, specialized gastronomy, car rental and hotels.

The Boulevard has 62 services (30 gastronomic and 15 commercial establishments, two accommodations and seven of various kinds of services). Its streets and landscapes connect clients for their enjoyment. Likewise, there is a plaza featuring artisans, and cultural offers for children and adults.

As a novelty, the Varadero Photographic Parador is being prepared so it can start operations this winter season.

In addition, the redesign of several products such as the replica of the Floridita Bar-Restaurant, the Fortuna Cafe, the Aljibe, among other improvements, has concluded in the non-hotel services, both catering and commercial, on the first avenue of the destination.

Fernández also highlighted the El Ancla project, in the Dársena Marina, in the completion phase, to give value use to five boats that will provide different services for the enjoyment of deep-sea fishing, and other activities that are part of a greater offer in the recreational area that will be available in the Varadero canal area.

As for nautical sports, new nautical equipment is already in operation.

According to the official, the capital restoration of Josone Park, called the Green Lung of Varadero, and the Xanadú Mansion, the Varadero Golf Club Clubhouse, and the Plaza América Convention Center is reaching its final phase.

For this winter season there will also be Wi-Fi connectivity in the destination’s hotel plant and 4G network coverage for the use of mobile data.

Varadero: Photo: TTC.

Upcoming investments

Three new attractions are being prepared to start their investment: the Estrella lookout point —which will be located between the Boulevard and Josone Park, facing the Sur Thruway; El Quijote Park, with different attractions for all ages; and the Río Canímar Theme Park, a work that will be developed in the medium and long term, currently in the conceptual phase.

Guaranteed biosafety

Ivis Fernández stressed that currently the destination’s staff is being trained on the reinforced biosafety protocols with a view to the peak season.

She reaffirmed that all workers are vaccinated.

“This stage forces us to be at a higher level since we have to coexist with COVID-19. These are times to captivate, to make clients fall in love with the beauties and values ​​of a country like ours.”

Fernández Peña affirmed that “Varadero is more than a perfect beach and Cuba is more than a safe destination.”

By December, she announced, it is expected that the level of operations at the Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport will exceed that of the same month in 2019.

Currently there are 25 hotels operating in Varadero and others will be incorporated gradually. Given that the epidemiological situation does not allow 100 percent of the hotel plant to be exploited, it is expected that the month of December will close with 70% occupancy, and between a total of 18,000 and 20,000 tourists, including the domestic market.