Cuban law
Cuban law is that a Cuban is not allowed to talk to a tourist. She will be arrested as a prostitute. (Do not pay what they ask for, A great time can be had for 30 to 40 Room ex5tra about 25,00 it is low season now so you can get better price if you haggle, SAY NO AND WALK AWAY slowly as you are not interested, tell the YO soy Canadianse Yo no tango Dollars in English I am Canadian, I have no money. GIVES GOOD RESULTS. Knowing this you will understand why she will not want to been seen in public with you. Now guys are ok. They will try sucking money out of you. To hustle is a way of life in Varadero. Havana is the place to party. Mantanza is about 45 minutes away. Not much there but at night after the Troppico finishes, they open it up as a disco; you can always party with local talent, the ones on stage and off. The local guys are Pimps; they will hang around you all the time. Its ok, be careful. Police in plain clothes watches local bars. There are a couple of small bars around 14th ave, you will find more local action there, Food is price cheep also.
A free trip is to rent a moped, Head towards the airport, It is about 1/2 hour ride from the bridge. Past the toll plaza. As you turn towards the airport you will see a clearing on your left (look for it as you come in from the airport on the right. just before the coastal road) there is a cave there you can swim in. From there head back towards the coastal road cross it and go to the end turn feet, about 500 feet there is a great beach to snorkel in, best reef in the area.
All the rest except for the Pirates cave (Live cabaret show inside a natural Cave) is bullshit.
A nice bar if still open is on top of the Bellevue apartments around 16 streets, great view of the area
Do not bring US dollars. Bring Canadian Dollars and exchange at the bank, Hotel will have a surcharge, The exchange rate is as follows They will exchange They will use us exchange Rate then add 10% to exchange value to Convertible pasos. (This money is no good outside of Cuba and they will only exchange back Paso to us dollars (1 Cuban convertible Paso for 1 us dollar, you loose 10%) Do not buy cigars they are bull shit (price on the street 25.00 Sometimes you can get some good ones) But if you must, Should smell sweet, Firm like a smoke. If you smoke local smokes from .50 to 1.20 a pack. Same size same color, do they will say you are only allowed 23 without a receipt? I always bring 50 (max to bring into Canada duty free. PACK THEM not lying flat, but standing up in your check in luggage. 5 year old rum is Better than 7 year. Do not wait for the duty free buy in a local grocery (turn over the bottle and see if there is any water drops cling from the bottom If there is it has been tampered with.) My favorites i.e. Run Caney or Havana Club Reserva. For beer Crystal is good but I love Hatuey (Stonger)
Demi Hola a los cubanas, para mi
Have a great holiday