Viñales Travel Guide

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, the Viñales Valley has everything to please!

Its breathtaking landscapes, traditional tobacco plantations, caves and mogotes make it a must-see on any trip to Cuba! We tell you everything to not miss anything of the Valley of Vinales!

The Valley of Viñales in a few words

It is in the west of Cuba, in the province of Pinar del Río that you will have to go to discover the luxuriant Valley of Viñales.

In the heart of the Sierra de los Organos, the city of Viñales, gateway to the valley, is easily accessible from Havana (180 km – 2h30 approx.) and from the capital of the province, Pinar del Río (30 km – 45 min.).

What to do in Viñales?

https://youtu.be/Mc14DXv3kOE

Hiking in the Viñales Valley

To discover the Viñales Valley, there is nothing better than a hike.
There is something for everyone: on foot, on horseback, on bicycle! The most adventurous will go on their own, however, we definitely recommend to go with a guide

If you go by your own, don’t forget to bring the app maps.me before your departure, which works perfectly offline, and has precise maps of the region.

Hiking in Viñales with a guide

While hiking as an adventurer is a great experience, hiking with a guide can make it ten times better thanks to his insider access. He knows the best trails, will explain the history of the area, will explain all the plants, and will take you to farms that would be difficult to visit alone.

We did the walk with Andres, a professional guide who knows the area perfectly and who works for the national parks of Cuba. The visit costs 15 Usd per person and it definitely worth it.

The departure is pretty early, and the idea is to get a beautiful sunrise.
During your walk, you will cross the traditional tobacco plantations, see endemic birds, get closer to the mogotes and venture into some of the tobacco farms.

And the best part is that he speaks perfectly english

So put on your sneakers, and let’s go!

Exploring the “Cueva Del Indio” Cave

Get your flashlights! The unique geology of the Viñales Valley, which is responsible for its recognizable mogotes, is also the source of a network of caves that are just waiting to be explored.

The Cueva del Indio and the Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas are the two best known and most easily accessible caves.

This is the more touristic of the two caves.
Located 6km north of Viñales, near the village of San Vicente, the Cueva del Indio was discovered by Juan Díaz, a local farmer, in 1920.

Rock paintings and archaeological remains found inside the cave indicate that it was inhabited in the pre-Columbian period. This is where it gets its name today.

The San Vicente River runs through the Cueva del Indio: you can do part of the visit by motorboat.

Count 120 Cuban Pesos for the entrance. You will also find a restaurant on site.

La Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas

With its 46 km, La Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas is the largest network of caves in Cuba.

Located in Moncada, 17 km from Viñales, it is better preserved than the Cueva del Indio.
An indigenous mural painting testifies to its long history.

The cave was also used as a refuge for escaped slaves.

Accompanied by a speleologist, you can explore part of the Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas.

The 1h30 visit will cost you 8 CUC.

A small museum is also present on site (1 CUC extra).
Excursions from Viñales (20 CUC) are also available.

Visit of Tobacco farm

You want to know everything about the famous Cuban cigars? Go to one of the many s in the Viñales Valley!

The region is indeed the first producer of tobacco in Cuba.

The guarijos, the peasants, still practice today the traditional agriculture – with, in particular, ploughs drawn by oxen – which allows the production of cigars of better quality than the mechanized agriculture.

The manufacture of cigar is a long and meticulous process, which the producers will be delighted to share with you.

And as nothing is worth the practice, you will be able of course to taste the local production! If you want to smoke cigars like Che Guevara, you should know that he always dipped the end in honey!

Mural de la Prehistoria

The Mural de la Prehistoria is a misnomer! Located 4 km west of Viñales, this fresco of 120 meters high and 180 meters long was made on a mogote in the 1960s by Leovigildo Gonzales Morillo (student of the famous Mexican painter Diego Riviera).

Commissioned by the Castro regime, this mural aims to represent the evolution of the island of Cuba (from ammonites… to men).

Count 3 CUC for the visit.

Otherwise, the meal at the restaurant on the spot (15 CUC) includes the entrance ticket.
You can also go horseback riding in the surroundings of the fresco (5 CUC per hour).

There are also hiking trails that lead to the top of the mogote from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Viñales Valley.

Take in the view from the terrace of the Los Jazmines Hotel

The Los Jazmines Hotel (Carretera a Viñales, Km.23), 3 km south of Viñales, has a superb panorama of the valley.

You can enjoy the view over a drink, and even take a dip in the pool for 7 CUC.

Count on about 3 CUC for the cab ride from the center of Viñales.
If you want to sleep there, the room is between 50 and 90 CUC a night.

La Casa de la Caridad, the botanical garden of Viñales

Nature lovers will be delighted! The botanical garden of Viñales has beautiful orchids and fruit trees of all kinds. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Los Acuáticos Community

Located 6km west of Viñales, Los Acuáticos is a community created in 1943 by the peasant woman Antoñica Izquierdo, who is said to have discovered healing properties in the water of the region. Today, only two families still reside there.

A 3-hour guided tour (10 CUC) allows you to discover the community and its surroundings, which are ideal for hiking.

The view at sunrise is breathtaking.
It is also possible to book an excursion to Los Acuáticos in Viñales.

Cayo Levisa Beach

Viñales is the ideal starting point to a host of other extraordinary places that are waiting for you! So, put your backpack back on, the exploration continues!

Cayo Levisa is a small paradise island off the coast of the province of Pinar del Río.
It is possible to make a day trip there, or to stay in the only hotel on the spot: Hotel Cayo Levisa.

Cayo Jutias

If your budget is too tight to afford a getaway to Cayo Levisa or if you still have some sunscreen to use, head for Cayo Jutias.

Less confidential but easier (and cheaper) to access than the first one, this island is linked to the mainland by road.

Las Terrazas

Spearheading sustainable development in Cuba, Las Terrazas is a community created in the 1970s in the mountains of the Sierra del Rosario.

Classified as a biosphere reserve and a Unesco World Heritage Site, it is now equipped with eco-tourism infrastructures.

Soroa

Soroa is a mountain village located in the heart of the Sierra del Rosario. The climate, characterized by heavy rainfall, favors the development of a particularly lush vegetation and feeds the waterfalls and natural pools of the region.

Peninsula of Guanahacabibes

The Peninsula of Guanahacabibes, in the extreme west of the island, is home to a national park classified as a biosphere reserve by Unesco. It is also where María la Gorda is located, a small paradise for divers! It is a welcome break, far from the tourist agitation. Few are those who venture so far to the west.

Getting to Viñales

Getting to Viñales is not very complicated. The valley is very touristy and easy to access. A Viazul bus serves the city daily from Havana for 12 Usd. However, be aware that the bus station in the capital is a bit out of the way and that you will have to pay for a cab to get there.

Buses are also crowded with tourists: remember to book in advance if you want to be sure to have a seat! Otherwise, you can also go to the Vinales Valley by collective cab. To do so, you just have to ask your hotel or casa particular to book the trip for you. The cab will then pick you up directly at your casa.

Count 20 usd per person for the Havana-Vinales trip. Viñales is the only real city in the valley, and it is there that you will find all the touristic infrastructures (casas, restaurants, travel agencies, currency exchange office, etc.). It is therefore from Viñales that you can start exploring the valley.

Getting around Viñales

The reputation of the Viñales Valley, a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1999, is well established.

The lush vegetation, the traditional tobacco cultivation, and especially the famous mogotes, limestone hills covered with vegetation that point their rounded peaks to some 300 meters above sea level, make Vinales an essential stop on any trip to Cuba.

The spectacular karst landscapes, the richness of the local fauna and flora and the vast tobacco fields of the region invite you to hike and explore.

Along the way, you will surely come across “guarijos”, the Cuban peasants who travel by horse or cart.

Caving enthusiasts will also be delighted: the region has a thousand caves to explore.

Pinar del Río is the most western of the Cuban provinces.

It can only be reached by land transport, and the most used means are buses and light cars.

To travel to the province, Viazul bus has 3 departures from Havana, and one from Varadero to Pinar del Rio, while with Transtur agency there is only one bus from Havana.

To book, you can visit the Viazul terminal in Nuevo Vedado and for Transtur buses you can book from any travel agency or sales bureau, located throughout the country.

Get around in Viñales by Bus

Once you are in Viñales or Pinar del Río, if you wish to travel, you can use the services of Transtur and Transgaviota buses:

1. Viñales-Pinar del Río-La Habana Every Day 2:00 pm
2. Viñales – Pinar del Río-Cienfuegos- Trinidad

Every day 7:00 am

Book from travel agencies:

In Viñales:

Cubanacan

• Salvador Cisneros Street, Viñales Square (
• 53) 48796393,

Pinar del Rio:

Cubanacan

• Marti Street No.109.
• Tel : (53) 48750178

Havanatur

• Ormani Arenado Street No.
• 2 between Martí and Máximo Gómez.
• Tel: (53) 48 77 8494

Cubatur

• No.51 Martí Street, corner of Rosario.
• Tel: (53) 48 77 8405

If you wish to travel by Viazul Bus services www.viazul.com :

1.Viñales-Pinar del Río-La Habana Every day from 8:00 am and 2:00 pm (with entrance to Las Terrazas)

2.Viñales- Cienfuegos Every day from 6:45 am

3.Viñales-Trinidad Bus (direct)

Every day from 6:45 am to 4:00 pm

Book at: Viñales

• Salvador Cisneros Street No.63,
• Tel.53 (48) 793195 

and in Pinar del Río

• Juan Gualberto Gómez Street No.14
• Tel. 53 (48) 75 0887

Car Rental in Viñales

Transtur

• Hotel Vueltabajo
• Martí No.103, corner of Rafael Morales, Pinar del Río
• Tel: (53) 48777050

Cubanacan

• Martí No. 109, Pinar Del Río
• Tel: (53) 48750104

Hotel Pinar del Río

• Martí Final and Highway, Pinar del Río
• Tel: (53) 48778278
• Salvador Cisneros No 65 C, Viñales, Pinar Del Río
• Tel: (53) 48796060
• Salvador Cisneros final, Viñales, Pinar del Río,
• Tel: (53) 48796330

Hotel Mirador

• 23 final, San Diego de los Baños, Los Palacios, Pinar del Río
• Tel: (53) 548869

San Francisco Rivera

• No 171 e/Ruiz Calderón y Calzada Paradero, San Juan y Martínez, Pinar del Río
• Tel: (53) 48989259

Transtur

• Gerardo Medina Command Post and Workshop No.
• 310, Pinar del Río Tel: (53) 48 77 8078
• Email: renta.pri@transtur.cu comercial.pri@transtur.cu

Transgaviota

• Maria la Gorda International Diving Center, Sandino, Guanahacabibes Peninsula, Pinar del Rio.
• Tel: (53) 48441242

Rex

• Hotel Pinar del Río Martí Final and Highway, Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48771454

Taxis Cuba

• Salvador Cisneros No.46 /B1 and C final, Viñales, Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 696969

Tourist Bus in Viñales

• Hop-on Hop-off
• Salvador Cisneros final, Viñales, Pinar del Rio.
• Tel: (53) 48 796390

Tour of the entire tourist area of Viñales, including the town, with stops at the most interesting points.

Here are the best places to see live music and dance Salsa in Viñales

Nightlife in Viñales

Pine Tree Coffee

• Matinee and evening activities Gerardo Medina No.
• 32, Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 77 8199

Cabaret Rumayor

Cabaret from Thursday to Sunday, 8:00pm/ 3:00am with comedians, groups, concerts, children’s matinee and disco music.

• Road to Viñales, Km.
• 1 1/2, Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 76 3051

Room Fiesta Hotel Pinar del Río

Birthday parties, quinceañeras, weddings and small events Martí final, Pinar del Río.

• Tel: (53) 48 75 5070

Villa Aguas Claras Festival Hall

Birthday parties, quinceañeras, weddings and small events.

• Road to Viñales Km. 7 1/2, Pinar del Río
• Tel: (53) 48 7784 27

The Site

Live shows and musical download.

• Gerardo Medina No.21, Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 75 4794

La Piscuala Concert Café

• Martí No.60 e/ Isabel Rubio y Colón, Pinar del Río.

Decimist’s Patio

Traditional shows

• Salvador Cisneros No.122, Viñales, Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 79 6014

Polo Montañéz Cultural Center

Center for evening shows. Light meals and daytime activities.

• Tel: (53) 48 79 6164

Palenque de Los Cimarrones

First class shows and traditional nights.

• Road to Puerto Esperanza Km.
• 32, Viñales, Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 79 6290

La Piscuala Concert Café

• Calle José Martí No.
• 60 e/ Isabel Rubio y Colón, Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 75 3871

Capitán San Luis Stadium

Capitan San Luis, Reparto 30 de noviembre, Pinar del Río.

• Tel: (53) 48 777931

Opened in 1969, with a game between the teams of Pinar del Río and Havana.

It hosted the Vegetable and Forestry teams in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

It was also the Home Club of the Occidentales and Pinar del Río teams of the Selective Series and it continues being the headquarters of the National and International Series.

It has a capacity of 9534 spectators.

Multipurpose Hall November 19

• Rafael Morales, no.
• Tel: (53) 48 750357
• Email: dirpnr@inder.cu

Venue for provincial and national events, with capacity for 5000 spectators.

Tobacco growing in the Viñales Valley

Why here and not elsewhere? The red soil, which contributes to the singularity of the landscapes of the Viñales Valley, is very fertile.

The climate is also particularly favorable to the cultivation of tobacco, with during the dry season (the period in which tobacco is grown) very low rainfall (<50mm per month) and a mild climate (23°C on average).

In Viñales, traditional agricultural techniques are still used and almost everything is done by hand, from sowing to harvesting! Indeed, the tobacco cultivated by mechanical means is of lesser quality.

The “guajiros” of the region therefore continue to maintain the ancestral agricultural know-how.
The same is true for the manufacture of cigars.

A Transtur shuttle (5 CUC per day) serves the different tourist places in the area.

You can buy your ticket directly on the bus.
For more information about the route, go to the Transtur stop in the central square of Viñales.

Best Restaurants in Viñales

Casa Remedio

It is located in a quiet area, about 10 minutes walk from the center of the city.

For 10 CUC per person, you can also have dinner there in the evening.

On the menu: ropa vieja, lobster… A treat! If your budget allows it, we also recommend the

Prehistoric Mural Restaurant

• Category: 2 TENEDORES
• Creole cuisine.
• Dish of the house: Roast pork Viñales, Cocktail: Muralito Capacity: 320 seats
• Km 2 Road to El Moncada.
• Valley of the Two Sisters Viñales.
• Pinar del Río, Tel: (53) 48 79 6260
• Schedule: 10:00 am / 5:00 pm

Finca San Vicente Restaurant

• Category: 3 TENEDORES
• Creole cuisine.
• Dish of the house: Beef a la ranchera.
• Capacity: 180 seats.
• Adresse : Km.
• 36 Road to Puerto Esperanza, Valle San Vicente, Viñales, Pinar del Río,
• Tel: (53) 48 79 6110
• Schedule: 10:00 am / 5:00 pm

Palenque de los Cimarrones Restaurant

• Category: 2 TENEDORES
• Afro-Cuban cuisine.
• Dish of the house: Rice mixed to the cimarrón way.
• Cocktail: Oshún
• Adresse : Km.34 Road to Puerto Esperanza – Viñales. Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 79 6290
• Schedule: 10:00 am / 5:00 pm

Cueva del Indio Restaurant

• International cuisine.
• Dish of the house: Indian chicken.
• Cocktail: Guanahatabey.
• Restaurant Bar Cueva del Indio, Bar: El rincón del indio (24 hours)
• Adresse : Km.
• 36 Road to Puerto Esperanza.
• San Vicente Viñales Valley.
• Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 79 6280
• Service Hours: 10:00 am / 5:00 pm

Restaurant Casa de Don Tomás

• Category : 3 TENEDORES
• Regional cuisine.
• Dish of the house: Delights of Don Tomás.
• Cocktail: Trapiche
• Capacity: 80 seats.
• Address: Calle Salvador Cisneros No.
• 140, municipio Viñales, Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 79 6300
• Schedule: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm

Casa del Veguero Restaurant

• Cuban and international food
• Adresse : Road to Viñales Km.
• 25, Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 79 6080
• Restaurant El Jurásico
• Cuban and international food
• Adresse : Km.
• 2 Road to El Moncada.
• Valley of the Two Sisters, Viñales.
• Pinar del Río,
• Tel: (53) 48 79 6167 -79 3223 Hours: 10:00 am / 9:00 pm

Restaurant El Estanco

• Light Food
• Road to Puerto Esperanza Km.
• 27, Viñales, Pinar del Río.

Restaurant Cabaret Rumayor

• Creole cuisine.
• Dish of the house: Rumayor smoked chicken
• Capacity: 80 seats.
• Options: First-rate artistic performances.
• Km.1 Road to Viñales. Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 76 3002 / 76 3051
• Schedule: 11:00am /11:00pm

La Casona Tavern

• Creole cooking
• Capacity: 80 seats
• Martí Street
• Schedule: 11:00 am / 11:00 pm
• Cayo Jutías Restaurant
• Seafood Kitchen.
• Capacity: 80 seats
• Saint Lucia.
• Matahambre Mines.
• Pinar del Rio.
• Schedule: 9:00 am / 6:00 pm

Las Barrigonas Restaurant

• Specialty: Hamburger to Barrigonas House suggestion: guarapo, natural orange juice Capacity: 80 seats.
• National Highway to Pinar del Río, Km 122.
• Tel: (53 48) 77 8623
• Hours: Open 24 hours a day.
• Tel: (53) 48 77 8623

Dulcinea La Rampa Cafeteria

• Salvador Cisneros No.98, Viñales
• Tel: (53) 48 796300
• Schedule: From 7:30 AM to 11:00PM

Cafeteria Doñaneli

• Bakery-Sweetshop
• Restaurant service with Italian cuisine, sale of fine sweets and cake (service on request).
• Open 24h.
• Gerardo Medina Street No.26 between Martí and Máximo Gómez, Pinar del Río.
• Tel: (53) 48 77 8037

Cafeteria Las Cubanitas

Light Food

Corner of Rafael Trejo and Adela Azcuy, Viñales, Pinar del Río.

Tel: (53) 48 79 6384

El Centro Café

Ice creams and jams

• Adresse : Martí N°65 e/ Isabel Rubio y Colón, Pinar del Río.

El Cantinerito Cafeteria

• Cultural space, wedding and birthday celebrations
• Address : Calle Martí No.18, Pinar del Río
• Tel: (53) 48 778367

Best hotels in Viñales

Hotel E Central Viñales

located in front of the church, on the main square.

The hotel opened very recently, and it is still brand new (which, in Cuba, is not necessarily a common thing).

Some of the rooms have a nice view of the main square of Vinales and the small patio is really nice.

Practical information

You will find most of the infrastructures along the main street:

Bank & exchange offices:

• Banco de Crédito y Comercio: Salvador Cisneros n°58
• Cadeca: corner Salvador Cisneros and Adela Azcuy

Transport

Viazul Agency: Salvador Cisneros n°63A

Travel agencies / excursions :

• Infotur: Salvador Cisneros n°63B
• Cubanacan: Salvador Cisneros n°63C

Internet

Etecsa : Ceferino Fernández n°3

Events in Viñales

Guarapachanga Event

Of international character; it is a celebration of music and other manifestations, sponsored by the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) and developed in the city of Pinar del Río, in the month of April.

WE Identity Event

Sponsored by the UNEAC, in September, they bring together various manifestations of art in the province.

Dedicated to Pedro Junco, for his immortal work Nosotros.

Event Jolgorio

Cultural evening that takes place every year on November 27th, dedicated to the important Pinar del Río singer-songwriter Polo Montañéz, one of the most authentic exponents of traditional country music.

Polo Montañéz Cultural Centre. Viñales

Entre Mogotes Festival

This year it’s up to its 6th edition.

It offers, during 3 days, a sample of the cultural product of the vineyard.

It has exhibitions of plastic arts, theatrical and dance performances, among other artistic manifestations.

Viñales Fashion

It has been going on for almost 30 years without interruption.

It shows the best of the tradition of dressing in the whole Vueltabajera region.

This event is inserted in the activities as part of the wine culture week in March.

Children and adults participate and are awarded in different categories.

Best Cock Crow Event

In Viñales, in the month of February, nights dedicated to the peasantry are held in which poets and repentistas compete and whose winner receives not only well-deserved recognition from the public, but also a pictorial work that has as its theme precisely a rooster.

Benito Hernández Cabrera Competition.

In Viñales, dedicated to the Cantor del Valle, where repentistas and other fans meet.

Municipal Carnivals, weekly festive days that are celebrated in all the municipalities.

Blue Planet Children’s Event

A space for musical competition held in April, in the city of Pinar del Río.

CHICUELO Competition

Convened by the Centro de Promoción y Desarrollo de la Literatura Hermanos Loynaz, for all writers in the children’s story genre.

Loynaz Brothers Competition

Prestigious literary prize to the Loynaz Brothers Contest in which Cuban writers participate, with unpublished books in the genres of: children’s literature, narrative and poetry.

Ibero-American event on the life and work of the Loynaz

It has six editions since its call in 1993, it is a reflection and homage appointment celebrated every two years in the city of Pinar del Río.

International Book Fair

It is held in Martí and Colón streets, bookstores in the city, the Hermanos Saíz Association, the Provincial Library and Universities.

It is the feast of the intellect that has more welcome and attraction: tradition of this century with expoventas that shows the great cultural concerns of the people.

It takes place in March and also has book presentations, a children’s pavilion, a theoretical event on books and the publishing world and the sale of approximately 250,000 copies of books.

José Álvarez Baragaño Literary Competition

It takes place every year in the city of Pinar del Río, during the month of February.

Theatre event in the mountains

Held in October, the event is sponsored by the Performing Arts.

National singing contest Lecuona in memoriam

Sponsored by the Ernesto Lecuona Lyric Theater Company, it has a biennial character and is a tribute to Maestro Lecuona, considered the most important composer in the history of Cuban music and theater, founder of the Cuban Lyric Theater.

The VIII edition will be from November 28th to December 3rd, 2019 and will be held at the old José Jacinto Milanés theater in Pinar del Río.

National Meeting of Small Format Theatre Espacio Vital

It is a biannual meeting place for creators and theorists, with an artistic program and a technical program with conferences, book presentations, panels, workshops by renowned figures in the field of performance and exchanges with specialists and art critics.

Havana Festival

International event where personalities and lovers of the cultivation and process of tobacco, developed in the month of February each year.

Rio del Medio Verbena.

It takes place in the village of Rio del Medio, Minas de Matahambre, during the second half of November.

It has seafaring roots and incorporates peasant traditions, including typical contests and peasant dances.

It is accompanied by typical food.

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