GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Located on the northernmost part of the island of Cuba, Varadero Beach runs along the narrow Hicacos Peninsula for 22 km (over 13.5 miles). It has a wide strip of fine, white sand that slopes gently into the sea, whose warm, clear waters encompass an incomparable range of blues. Varadero began to be developed as a summer vacation resort in the 1940s, but it was not until the last ten years that its network of hotels and other facilities was given an unprecedented boost. Its tourist offer was both diversified and upgraded. Its main attraction has always been its marvelous beach, but this is not all it has to offer. You can explore its caves and escarpments, a necklace of virgin keys that are easy to get to and the carefully preserved natural landscape at the northeastern end of the peninsula. In addition, Cárdenas, the nearby city of Matanzas, the Zapata Peninsula and the San Miguel de los Baños Spa offer cultural, historic and natural attractions. Varadero's Plaza América Conference Center has all the facilities needed for conferences and incentive tourism. Varadero is a free port and has exceptionally good conditions for scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, yachting and other water sports.