Sep 263 min read

Getting glasses made in Varadero

My boyfriend got glasses made in Varadero during our vacation. He was a little hesitant, but he finally decided to give it a try.

What was a bit funny was that we were the 6th Quebecer in the shop! One of them told us that he usually went to Havana to have them made but that since he discovered this shop in Varadero, he came back. The only difference is that the number of frames available is smaller.

We went there at 10am, he took his exam around 11am (after he had made his choice of mount) and the exam lasts about 45 minutes. It is exactly the same type of exam as in Quebec or France. He managed to communicate well with the lady who gave him the exam half in English and a little in Spanish.

With his prescription, he was told that the frame he had chosen was a little light. So he looked at others. When he couldn't find any, the lady started taking frames out of one of her drawers. We think that these are models that they only had in a few copies unlike the others.

He was told to come back at 2pm and finally the glasses were ready at 3:15pm.

He paid 5 CUC for the exam, 38 CUC per lens, so 76 CUC for both with the “progressive lenses” option but not with the transition option (lenses that gradually tint on the outside) and 40 CUC for the frame. It seems that all the frames are 40 CUC. You have to pay in cash.

I took pictures of the frame displays but be careful, there seem to be more because I have duplicates with different angles of taking pictures.

If you take the panoramic bus, the closest stop is Calle 44. From there, you only have to walk two blocks to reach the store, which is located between Calle 43 and Calle 42.

The phone number is (53) 45 66 75 25.

Getting glasses made in Varadero

Many members take advantage of their stay in Varadero to go and get glasses made. Here is information about the shop and services.

Opticas Miramar

Testimonials

Angele Quevillon (October 2018): “I had 2 pairs of glasses made last week for 395 CUC, including progressive, anti-scratch, tinted glass, transition, anti-glare and something for working in front of a screen (I forget the name) and eye exam. In 1.5 hours, everything was ready! [Did you bring a prescription with you?] No, on-site exam for 5 CUC – And the lady makes herself very clear in English And 2 months later, still completely satisfied. The glasses are resistant to the cold.”

Valérie Tremblay: “30 pesos for the frame, but they don’t have a very big selection. You can bring a frame from here if you prefer, but you can also use your current frame, they will only change your lenses (that’s what my friend did). So total 111 pesos if you take the whole kit. And they are very honest, for example, they told me that my eyesight had not declined enough to make it worth changing.”

Douglas Vibert (December 2018)

The only thing they don't do is thin the lenses for the very nearsighted. Much to my regret!!!

Suzanne Chabot (March 2019)

Got glasses made in Varadero last week, check the price on the bill!! Eye exam: 5 pesos, glasses 43 pesos! Their progressive lens machine was broken, unfortunately... it would have cost me 124 pesos in total with the progressives in it!! I had to get the progressives put in Quebec, at Costco, cheaper than elsewhere but... it cost me $310 here, just for the progressives! Anyway, I still paid a lot less than the price here just for my glasses and my eye exam! In Varadero, they are right next to 42nd Street... Go for it! The optometrist is nice and very qualified! A thousand apologies for my still tanned face! Hi! Hi!😃