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THE WORLD'S SECOND-BEST BEACH -ACCORDING TO THE 2019 TRAVELER'S CHOICE AWARDS BY TRIPADVISORALSO WANTS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS THE 2020 ECOLOGICAL BEACH

It is the second-best beach in the world. And it's not Cuba the one that claims that, but thousands of travelers who chose it at the “2019 Traveler's Choice” awards, organized by Tripadvisor, the most important international travel and tourism website. And the selection served as an encouragement to take on a new challenge: to achieve the category of Ecological Beach by 2020.

In the ranking of the best 25 beaches of the world, Varadero is just trailing behind Baia Do Sancho, in Brazil, and is escorted by Eagle Beach, on the Caribbean island of Aruba.

Crystal-clear and balmy waters even in winter, safety and cleanliness along its more than 20 kilometers of powder-thin sands, rides aboard catamarans, sport fishing, diving and tours are some of the privileges that can be enjoyed by those who decide to visit Varadero, nestled just 120 kilometers east of Havana.

This beautiful place, where waters dazzle tourists for their turquoise hues, was officially founded on December 5, 1887, although the first news of vacationers flocking to this area harks back to the 1840s. Today, it is Cuba's number-one sun-andbeach destination, and its infrastructure boasts over 50 hotels and resorts that receive more than 1.7 million foreign tourists every year.

The challenge of becoming Ecological Beach is a risky bet, as there are many resorts worldwide vying for this recognition, which involves having clear waters, white and thin sand, and a high level of environmental preservation and protection.

However, Varadero has the upper hand as numerous facilities located there are operated by major hotel companies, which have contributed very much to the care of the natural environment. As a matter of fact, five of these hotels have reached the Environmental Beach Certification. This much is complemented by actions promoted by the Cuban ministries of Tourism on the one hand, and Science, Technology and Environment on the other hand, all of them aimed at recovering coastal coves and sandy strips, safeguarding the necessary dunes and preventing the loss of sand.

If Varadero used to be a must-see for those who arrived on the interesting Caribbean island, now that it is prepping up to provide a much more natural, protected and charming environment, it will become an indispensable destination for any traveler who appreciates the chance to know the best places the insular Caribbean has to offer.