Downtown Varadero: Things to Do, Restaurants and Nightlife

Verified July 18, 2026.

An easy outing beyond the Varadero resort zone

Downtown Varadero is one of the easiest ways to see something beyond the resort: Avenida Primera, Josone Park, Calle 62, Beatles Bar, La Casa del Ron, restaurants, public beach access, the artisan market, taxis and evening atmosphere.

The best plan is not to do everything. Choose two or three stops, confirm the return, carry cash and check opening hours before leaving the hotel.

Quick answer

For a simple first outing: take a taxi to the Josone Park and Calle 62 area, walk along Avenida Primera, stop at La Casa del Ron or the artisan market, eat outside the resort when the restaurant is confirmed and return by taxi.

For food: compare recent information for Don Alex, Varadero 60, Waco’s Club, La Gruta del Vino, Salsa Suárez and La Campana. Opening hours, menus, prices and payment options can change.

For nightlife: Calle 62 remains a well-known reference for music, dancing and an outdoor evening atmosphere. Confirm prices and arrange the return before drinking.

Downtown Varadero map planning

Downtown is not one single point. Useful stops extend along Avenida Primera around Josone Park, Calle 62 and the artisan market. Download an offline map and save your hotel, taxi drop-off point and return meeting place.

The Internet in Cuba guide explains how to prepare offline maps and important contacts.

Before leaving the resort

Confirm that the place is open today.
Ask the taxi price before entering.
Carry small cash denominations.
Save the hotel address offline.
Plan the return before eating or drinking.
Do not assume a bank card will work.
When staying out late, remain with your group or use a reliable driver.

Easy downtown stops

Josone Park

A quiet stop with greenery, shade, photographs and restaurants when open.

Good for: first outings, families, couples and a short walk.

Read the Josone Park guide

Avenida Primera

A useful reference street for walking among restaurants, bars, shops, local transportation and several familiar Varadero landmarks.

Good for: understanding the area and walking for 30 to 60 minutes.

Calle 62

A classic Varadero nightlife reference with music, dancing, drinks and an outdoor crowd on active evenings.

Good for: adults, friends and a lively evening.

Beatles Bar

Known for live music and a rock-oriented atmosphere. Treat it as an entertainment stop rather than a cultural museum.

Verify: hours, cover charge, drink prices and return taxi.

La Casa del Ron

A practical stop for comparing Cuban rum bottles and souvenirs.

Verify: price, currency, receipt, bottle seal and Canadian customs limits.

Read the Varadero rum guide

Artisan market

A useful stop for souvenirs, hats, bags and decorative objects.

Verify: cash, quality, negotiation and luggage space.

Galería Espacio 34

Espacio 34 is an art gallery near Avenida Primera and Calle 34. Cuba Travel includes it among Varadero’s visual-arts spaces. It may feature Cuban painting, photography or sculpture depending on the exhibition.

Save Avenida Primera and Calle 34 in the offline map.
Confirm opening hours before making a special trip.
Ask whether admission is free.
For purchases, confirm price, currency, packaging and transportation rules.

Where to eat downtown or nearby

Before selecting a restaurant, verify the exact name, location, recent reviews, current opening, prices, currency and ability to return by taxi. Restaurant conditions in Cuba can change quickly.

Restaurant	Why travellers consider it	What to verify
Don Alex	Often mentioned for pizza, pasta, seafood and a simple atmosphere.	Opening, menu, payment and reservation.
Varadero 60	A frequently discussed option for a more substantial dinner outside the hotel.	Reservation, current menu and payment method.
Waco’s Club	Known among travellers for seafood and Caribbean dishes.	Lobster price, cash and return transportation.
La Gruta del Vino	Often considered for meat, grilled food and a quieter dinner.	Opening, price, menu and distance.
Salsa Suárez	Known for a broader menu that may include Cuban and international dishes.	Reservation, current menu and payment.
La Campana	Logical when combining a meal with Josone Park.	Actual opening, mosquitoes, menu and payment.

The Restaurants in Varadero guide covers reservations, dietary needs, cash and transportation.

Calle 62: music, dancing and evening atmosphere

Calle 62 is a familiar Varadero nightlife reference. Visitor descriptions commonly mention music, dancing, crowds and an outdoor atmosphere.

It is not the place for a silent evening. Carry cash, ask drink prices before ordering and keep the taxi return arranged.

Three easy itineraries

Quiet first outing — 2 hours

Taxi → Josone Park → Avenida Primera → La Casa del Ron → taxi return.

Good when you want to leave the resort without eating downtown.

Dinner outside the resort — 3 to 4 hours

Taxi → confirmed restaurant → Calle 62 for one drink → taxi return.

Confirm the restaurant before leaving the hotel.

Simple adult evening

Early dinner → Calle 62 → Beatles Bar when live music is active → confirmed taxi return.

Better for couples and friends than for young children.

Cash, taxis and the hotel return

Downtown can feel simple, but the return is the real logistical issue. Some hotels are close while others are far along the peninsula. Fuel shortages, reduced services and payment problems make advance planning important.

Ask the fare before entering the taxi.
Confirm whether payment is in USD, EUR, CAD or CUP.
Save the hotel name and address offline.
Keep the hotel wristband on.
Carry cash for transportation, drinks, restaurants, toilets and tips.

Checklist before leaving the resort

Small cash denominations.
Charged phone and power bank.
Hotel address saved offline.
Offline Varadero map.
Taxi price confirmed.
Important restaurant or activity confirmed.
Return planned before eating or drinking.
Copy of passport rather than the original when appropriate.
Hotel wristband kept on.
Water, hat and rest breaks for daytime visits.

Practical rule

A good downtown outing is not about seeing everything. Select a few concrete stops, confirm the restaurant when it matters, arrange the return and avoid turning a small trip into a transportation problem.

Frequently asked questions

Is downtown Varadero worth visiting?

Yes, especially for a first outing beyond the resort. Josone Park, Avenida Primera, La Casa del Ron, Calle 62 and a confirmed restaurant are practical choices.

Where can you eat downtown?

Options to verify include Don Alex, Varadero 60, Waco’s Club, La Gruta del Vino, Salsa Suárez and La Campana. Always confirm the opening, menu, price and payment method.