It maybe a small Cuban town but it’s a large player on the Cuban tourist triangle.
If you’re planning a trip to Cuba there’s three places you’re probably going to want to check out. Obviously Havana, Trinadad for its beaches and Viñales for its limestone mountains, rich agricultural farmlands, and most hospitable locals.
From where to stay and eat, to the best experiences to be had, these are the picks for Viñales.
Accommodation
There’s really only two types of places to stay in Cuba, Government owned hotels and local Casa’s (people’s homes). Personally we prefer to stay with locals where ever we travel as it gives us more of what the country has to offer, you learn more about the hidden little places yet to be discovered.
When looking for a Casa in Viñales they’re everywhere, you just need to look for the sign that hangs in every doorway indicating that the house has rooms for rent. Some will even have a sign saying how many rooms and availability.
We opted not to be on the Main Street as the traffic can be a bit daunting during the day and at night there’s usually a lot of tourist dining out in the numerous restaurant that flank both sides of the street.
We chose Tres Caballeros Hostal, as it’s away from the noise, has independent rooms at are semi- detached from the main house. Denis (the owner) speaks English and has studied economic and tourism. He and his brother (who lives across the road) are the only two in the village who have officially studied (via the government) the history of wine and cigar production for their region and can give you in depth knowledge of tobacco growing. Viñales is famous for is tobacco and all its production is used for local consumption throughout Cuba.
Food
The beauty of booking in with Denis at Tres Caballeros Hostel was that Breakfast and Dinner can be provided. If you stay here be sure to order the lobster, it was a highlight for us, but like every meal it’s massive. Denis and the families philosophy is they’re more concerned that you like their food over the amount served. I guess it’s a quality over quantity thing.
However if your hostel doesn’t offer a meal option there are plenty of restaurant choices in the Main Street. Most will leave a menu with prices on a table out front and here in Cuba the touting for business hasn’t really kicked in yet, so you can feel at ease window shopping during the day to select a place to dine later.
Attractions and Tours
With so many options and out door activities Viñales holds its own with tour Optimus for everyone.
Horse Riding
Another slow paced way of getting close to nature, horse riding for a
couple of hours is a very popular activity in Vinales. We offer tours with
couple of hours is a very popular activity in Vinales. We offer tours with
official guides. Horses are quiet and the trip is slow and rewarding as you
get to see farmers at their work, you can stop off for a rest and some routes
lead you to the Cueva del Palmarito where you can swim in an indoor pool.
Horse riding costs 5 CUC per hour per person.
Walking/Hiking
This is one of the best ways to admire the scenery in the valley of
Vinales. There are a series of routes with experienced tour guides.
Tours can run from 1.5km to over 8km and can last from a couple of
hours .Tours generally take place in the three valleys,
Valle de los Jazmines, Valle del Palmarito y el Valle del Silencio, all
stunningly beautiful. As well as the scenery, you will see farmers
growing their crops, rolling cigars by hand and farming in a traditional
Vinales. There are a series of routes with experienced tour guides.
Tours can run from 1.5km to over 8km and can last from a couple of
hours .Tours generally take place in the three valleys,
Valle de los Jazmines, Valle del Palmarito y el Valle del Silencio, all
stunningly beautiful. As well as the scenery, you will see farmers
growing their crops, rolling cigars by hand and farming in a traditional
manner. All the tours start in the centre of town.
Cycling
This is another good way to see the valley up close. As it is a valley,
it can be hilly but it is worth it and one of the best places to cycle in
Cuba. Check with your casa particular and they may be able to rent you
it can be hilly but it is worth it and one of the best places to cycle in
Cuba. Check with your casa particular and they may be able to rent you
a bike. All cycling is on the road as there are no off road routes.
Swimming
There are day trips to the beaches Cayo Levisa, Cayo Jutias and
Maria la Gorda .You can also swim in the natural pools in the caves.
Maria la Gorda .You can also swim in the natural pools in the caves.
Best known are: Cueva de Palmarito (pool within a cave about 3km
from Vinales)
Check with your casa particular for transfers for all these excursion if
from Vinales)
Check with your casa particular for transfers for all these excursion if
you dont be by car .
Suggested itineraries in Viñales
Day trip to Cayo Jutias:
60km from Vinales is the beach resort of Cayo Jutias,
a mangrove covered key with 3km of white sand and turquoise water. Relatively
undiscovered. Water sport and snorkling equipment for rent and small restaurant
serves hot meals. We offer taxi service .Bus and taxi transfers available to those
without a car.
Day trip to Cayo Levisa:
Tours can be booked in travel agency in the town or a taxi.
Departs at 8.30 to take boat at 10am from Palma Rubia.
This island resort boasts the best beach in Pinar del Rio. There is a short
boat ride to reach the island and there a hotel made up of beach cabins with
accommodation for about 50 guests. Water sport and snorkling equipment
also available.
Maria la Gorda :
Beach resort – an internacional dive centre with beach facing
accommodation in the form of bungalows. Day trips available.
( around 170km km from Vinales)
Dancing
If you don’t know how to dance salsa, you can take salsa lessons
before you head out dancing in Polo Montanez. We will organise some
before you head out dancing in Polo Montanez. We will organise some
lessons to take you through the steps.
Visits to caves
Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas
17km from Vinales is Cuba’s largest cave system and the third largest
of the Americas.
Things to see in Viñales
If you only have a day, the best thing to do is take a taxi it will take
you to all the main sights.Make sure to go to the best view of all,
the hotel, Los Jazmines, where from a height, the valley lies before
you in panoramic splendour and them …
Mural de la Prehistoria
Nestled in a stunning location between 2 mogotes, this 120m long
mural is painted on a hill face. Images symbolise the theory of
evolution. (4km from Vinales).
mural is painted on a hill face. Images symbolise the theory of
evolution. (4km from Vinales).
Cueva del Indio
An easy to visit cave complete with tourist focused boat ride through
it. Best place to pick up not so tacky souvenirs and paintings. (6km from Vinales)
it. Best place to pick up not so tacky souvenirs and paintings. (6km from Vinales)
El Palenque de los Cimarrones
Tiny museum as you walk through a smaller cave (Cueva de San
Miguel) showing how slaves hid out in centuries past.Cave is best
Miguel) showing how slaves hid out in centuries past.Cave is best
known for its disco at the weekends where all the locals go to hang out
(4km from Vinales).
Casa del Veguero
To learn about tobacco farming, visit this tourist oriented
tobacco farm and drying shed.
tobacco farm and drying shed.
(1/2 km from Vinales)
