The foundation date of Varadero as a city goes back to December the 5th, 1887, when ten families settled in the area. The museum where you can appreciate its history was inaugurated just 94 years later. In one of its halls you may admire a picture of the first hotel in the locality.

It was first a stand during the last century, and then it was widened until reaching a beautiful structure at the beginning of the last century, when it was named The Tower but it went on deteriorating and in 1971 it was demolished and several projects have been foreseen to build an accurate replica but the plan has not been materialized.

Therefore, when you enjoy from the fine sands, the warm waters, the friendly environment and the unique and peaceful sunsets in Varadero, you may think about sites priviledged by nature, with an interesting history, very seducing for research, search and enjoyment.

The resort reached 120 years of being founded. From its little known history, we always associate the peninsula with the recreation image, but if we get to the beach willing to rest or recreate,  Varadero has also a lot to tell us about its past.

It is about acknowledge, not only its natural beauty, but to get closer to its rich history in events and legends which are the first advancements of what it is today the first sun and beach destination of the country.

Like in the rest of the Cuban archipelago, aborigines traces can be found in Varadero too, they can be seen in eighteen archaeological localities, among them the Ambrosio, the Muslims and the Cavity of Muslims, places acknowledged as regular, funeral and ceremonial sites with more than three thousand years Before Christ. However, these were not the only ones, archaeologists and specialists say there was life in the midst of the Paso Malo Canal, specifically in Cueva del Indio (The Indian’s Cave). The little dimension of the sites and the possibility of a non permanent room, explains the fact that cyclical and stationary nomadic ways of life were practiced according with the season of the year.  

The main activities of the first inhabitants in the peninsula were linked with the food collection, hunting and the capture of small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.

From its very beginnings, Varadero has counted with a low density of population if compared with other municipalities of the province and the country. The first attempts of foundation go back to November 1828, with a small town towards the east of the present 30 and 49 streets, mostly used by vacationers from the then owner Carrillo Albornz. Right from these years on and on, the terriotory began to identify itself not only by the calmness of its waters, but also by the natural richness. An example of this is the asphalt unveiled at the Boca de Camarioca bay, used as a waterproof material for roofs and considered as a curiosity in Cuba.

Works carried out at the salt mines were the main activity for development since pubs and small warehouses were settled here to keep and commercialize products, thus easing life conditions of those improving progress for such labours.
Even at the beginning of the Twenty Century, there were no big hotels, or highways, streets then the exuberant vegetation could be appreciated.
Just right since the Second World War, Varadero’s real development began, countless of neighbourhoods with private policy showed up, a limited entrance, inner highways, large gardens and golf fields.  Due to advancements and developments the area was reaching, the territory was officially founded on December the 5th, 1887.

Since then, towns prevailing which were a complex of houses in the resort and the owners of most of the lands, were joined to other land buyers with the goal of widening the urbanization, event which contributes with the growth of Varadero society during the next 20 years; although it is worth to say that the buildings did not count with the required quality with respect to construction materials and many were destroyed by natural phenomena. The excellent conditions of the place and the existence of houses for guests eased the National Council of Ministers to declare the area as a tourist zone.
On January the first 1959, 3 162 persons  inhabited the peninsula, in spite of efforts made to increase the  growth of the population since an evident social difference was evident in all aspects, situation that begins to change since the first months of the revolutionary triumph.

After 1959 the authorities of the country, contributed with the new impulse in favour of urbanization and enlargement of the locality, bringing with it a countless of constructive works for the benefit of the resort dwellers; the hotel growth began over the high and rocky areas of the beach.
The 80 decade brought with it a bolstering without precedence of tourism until that time, mostly foreigner people, whose increase had to do with the hotel infra- structure advancement and off shore facilities as well.

The new buildings were designed from elements dealing with the Cuban architecture, but adapted to the present needs, highlighting the use of stained glass windows, roofs with local tiles, slopes and halls open to the contact with nature, also considerable green spaces granting a special enchantment to the facilities.

An ambitious constructive plan was foreseen since the region meant one of the main attractions of the island. Varadero counts today with cultural institutions meant to raise the cultural level and ease a nice environment from its inhabitants and visitors. The highest direction in the municipality carries out an important investment process to keep its regular attractions and gift them with a new image. Nowadays, Varadero is the main tourist resort of the country, with a considerable contribution to the nation’s economy.