Viñales, Cuba

Q: What are the best excursions from Viñales?

Naturally, the preferred excursion from Viñales is to the Parque Nacional de Viñales ( Viñales National Park ). This can be done either by bicycle , by a hiking route , on horseback , or by private transfer . In the National Park, you can admire the indigenous fauna and flora and visit the tobacco plantations . If you like the beach , you can't miss Cayo Jutías with its spectacular turquoise and white beaches. It is perfect for kayaking or snorkelling . Another gorgeous key is Cayo Levisa . To get there you will have to take a short ferry ride. This place is perfect to rest and to spend a tranquil day on practically virgin beaches surrounded by incredible tropical nature like the tocororos or the palms. If you are looking for a place to dive , Playa María La Gorda is waiting for you with open arms. The beauty of the coral barrier , where the black coral is the main feature, is one of the best diving spots in Cuba

Q: How to get to Viñales?

Due to its close location to Havana , it is an ideal place to visit in your first days in Cuba . You can arrive either by private or shared transfer . Although the most demanded option is with a day trip from Havana , in just one day you will not be able to discover all the wonders that Viñales has to offer; from the Valle de Viñales ( Viñales Valley ) to the spectacular Cayo Jutías and Cayo Levisa . Therefore, it is ideal to spend a couple of nights .

Q: Where to stay in Viñales?

The best thing is that you stay in a casa particular ( private house or accommodation ), so you can get to know the Cuban customs from the inside. In addition, in the beautiful porches you can have the opportunity to taste the delicious homemade food that, sometimes, the owners offer. Of course, there are also hotels in this town. Some of these are: Hotel Central Viñales , Hotel La Ermita , Hostel Mis Cumbres , Casa Yakelin or Campesino Yuri y Nino .

Come and visit Viñales, a unique Guajiro village in western Cuba and the exuberant nature that surrounds it

Viñales is located in the province of Pinar del Río, in Cuba. It forms part of the heart of the Parque Nacional de Viñales (Viñales National Park), declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. It is the best place to immerse yourself in the traditional Guajira culture of Cuba.

This locality preserves nowadays vestiges of the former colonial Cuba that together with the wonderful nature that surrounds it was worth the declaration of a National Monument.

This zone has a more relaxed and cosy atmosphere, therefore it is ideal to spend a few tranquil days, surrounded by nature and enjoying outdoor activities.

Index:

What are the best things to do in Viñales?
What to see in Viñales?
What are the best excursions from Viñales?
How to get to Viñales?
What are the best accommodations?

What are the best things to do in Viñales?

Viñales
© Agatha Kadar

The most well-known thing about Viñales is its abundant nature. We must remember that Parque Nacional de Viñales (Viñales National Park) was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. If you want to admire the Park in all its splendour you should go to the Jasmine viewpoint. This spot is beautiful in itself but undoubtedly the sunset is when it has the most charm. Another viewpoint you can't miss is the one located in the nearby village of Los Acuáticos.

Mural de la Prehistoria, Viñales
© Pedro

Another place you can't miss is the Mural de la Prehistoria (Mural of Prehistory), a unique spot in Cuba. It is a mural painted on the slope of one of the most distinctive mogotes, the mogote Pita. It represents the evolution of the species in the Valle de Viñales (Viñales Valley).

In addition, Viñales is an ideal place if you like the potholing since it has diverse systems of caves. The Cueva del Indio (Indio Cave) is the place if you want to feel like an explorer, as it is crossed by different underground rivers. Also, in Cueva de San Miguel (San Miguel’s Cave) you will be able to discover the pitiful living conditions of the runaway slaves. In the Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás (Great Cavern of Santo Tomás), the largest in Cuba and declared a National Monument, you can admire countless stalactites and stalagmites, and even a replica of an ancient Indian mural.

What to see in Viñales?

The typical little and very colourful houses, influenced by the colonial style will transport you to a purely Cuban rural environment.

The Museo Paleontológico (Paleontological Museum) and the Museo Municipal (Municipal Museum) are the two best-known museums in this area.

In the Jardín Botánico de Viñales (Viñales Botanical Garden) you will discover different varieties of flora typical of the area. If you have some luck you will be able to see birds, like hummingbirds and parrots, they accompany you on this beautiful visit.

Another monument not to be missed is the Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón (Church of the Sacred Heart), an incredible temple with almost two centuries of history.

Viñales is known for its tobacco plantations and its handicrafts. Among the first ones stands out the Casa del Veguero, a plantation where you will be able to taste and contemplate the process of manufacture of one of the most valued goods in Cuba, the Havana cigars. At the Mercado de Artesanía (Crafts Market) on Calle Joaquín Pérez (Joaquín Pérez Street), you will be able to take home many souvenirs while enjoying numerous works of art.

What are the best excursions from Viñales?

Parque Nacional de Viñales
© Tai Pan of HK

Naturally, the preferred excursion from Viñales is to the Parque Nacional de Viñales (Viñales National Park). This can be done either by bicycle, by a hiking route, on horseback, or by private transfer. In the National Park, you can admire the indigenous fauna and flora and visit the tobacco plantations.

If you like the beach, you can't miss Cayo Jutías with its spectacular turquoise and white beaches. It is perfect for kayaking or snorkelling.

Cayo Levisa, Viñales
© Pierre Metivier

Another gorgeous key is Cayo Levisa. To get there you will have to take a short ferry ride. This place is perfect to rest and to spend a tranquil day on practically virgin beaches surrounded by incredible tropical nature like the tocororos or the palms.

If you are looking for a place to dive, Playa María La Gorda is waiting for you with open arms. The beauty of the coral barrier, where the black coral is the main feature, is one of the best diving spots in Cuba

How to get to Viñales?

Due to its close location to Havana, it is an ideal place to visit in your first days in Cuba. You can arrive either by private or shared transfer.

Although the most demanded option is with a day trip from Havana, in just one day you will not be able to discover all the wonders that Viñales has to offer; from the Valle de Viñales (Viñales Valley) to the spectacular Cayo Jutías and Cayo Levisa. Therefore, it is ideal to spend a couple of nights.

Where to stay in Viñales?

The best thing is that you stay in a casa particular (private house or accommodation), so you can get to know the Cuban customs from the inside. In addition, in the beautiful porches you can have the opportunity to taste the delicious homemade food that, sometimes, the owners offer.

Of course, there are also hotels in this town. Some of these are: Hotel Central Viñales, Hotel La Ermita, Hostel Mis Cumbres, Casa Yakelin or Campesino Yuri y Nino.

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