Viñales

In Cuba, in the province of Pinar del Río, there is a small town called Vinales. It is located on the territory of the valley of the same name, which attracts tourists with traces of primitive people and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

General information about the city

Vinales is the center of the municipality of the same name, covers an area of ​​704 square meters. km and lies at an altitude of 135 m above sea level. The landscape is represented by low mountain ranges (for example, the Sierra de los Organos) and typical outcrops — «mogots». The city is famous for its endless wild beaches and fertile land, which has a bright red color.

Here tourists can get acquainted with the real Cuba: the life of local residents, their culture and customs. In 2004, the last census was conducted in the city, according to which 27,129 people live in Viñales. They are employed in the tourism and agricultural sectors. Tobacco, coffee, fruits and vegetables are grown in large quantities in the village.

Historical information

Before Europeans arrived here, the Taino tribes lived here. In 1800 Viñales was colonized by tobacco magnates who arrived here from the Canary Islands. They settled in the Vuelta Abaja area, around which a European settlement soon appeared. It was originally a small ranch owned by Andres Hernandez Ramos. The status of the city was given to it in 1878, when a hospital, a school, a church and a park appeared here.

When is the best time to visit Viñales?

The city has a humid and hot climate, and from May to October there is a rainy season. At this time, the air temperature often exceeds +32 ° C, humidity reaches 85%, and showers can turn into real hurricanes. It should be borne in mind that the buildings in the city are one-story and very flimsy, so they often suffer from the elements.

Spring is the ideal time to visit. At this time, there is practically no wind in Viñales, the air warms up to +27 ° C, and the weather is clear and calm outside, allowing you to explore local attractions.

What to watch?

Currently, Vinales has a huge number of tourist offices organizing excursions. By the way, hotel employees, passers-by and even owners of guest houses can offer you trips to local attractions. The price in this case will be 10-15% less, and you will receive an individual tour.

The main advantage of the city is its unique nature, which has turned this settlement into a real paradise for relaxation. There are mineral springs and caves, rock formations and a lot of greenery. The most famous sights in Viñales are:

1. Botanical Garden Casa de Caridad (Jardin Botanico Casa de Caridad) — it attracts visitors with rich flora and fauna. Here you can walk along the shady alleys, admire various plants and see exotic orchids.



2. Caves of Santo Tomas (Cueva de Santo Tomas) — they are considered one of the largest in Latin America and attract visitors with natural beauty. There are no lights and artificial premises, so it is quite easy to get lost in the underground tunnel. Traveling along it is best accompanied by an experienced guide.



3. Viñales Valley National Park (Valle de Vinales) — his photo can be seen on almost all souvenirs of the region. This is a unique place in Latin America where you can see how tobacco and coffee are grown, as well as visit the homes of indigenous people. Particular attention here deserves 2 very similar hills (Dos Hermanas), which are considered the visiting card of the institution, and a wall painting created by a famous artist in the country. He decorated the rock with paintings reminiscent of prehistoric rock paintings. There is also a restaurant in the national park where you can relax and taste local delicacies.



4. tobacco plantations (Plantaciones de Tabaco) — here tourists will be introduced to the process of growing, harvesting and drying tobacco. The staff will tell you about its features and types, and at the end of the tour you can buy real Cuban cigars at a good discount.



5. Indian Cave (Indian Cave) — it is very popular in Cuba. Its length reaches 1 km, and an underground river flows inside, along which you can ride a boat.

Also on the territory of Viñales are architectural and cultural attractions, for example:

• municipal museum;
• church — located in the city center and is considered an important cultural center;



• Paleontological Museum;
• runaway slave camp;
• art Gallery.

Beaches in Viñales

60 km from the city is the stunning beach of Cayo Jutias, which is a true Caribbean paradise. The coast is covered with soft white sand and equipped with sun loungers, and there are several cafes nearby. This is not a tourist area, so it is always not crowded here. You can get here along the mountain road Baños de San Vicente or Minas de Matahambre.

Where to stay?

In Viñales, there are several housing options, for example, private houses (also called «casa particular»), they are indicated by a special blue icon. The hosts provide their guests with air-conditioned rooms with hot water, and cook meals for a fee. Another accommodation option is camping «Dos Hermanas», which is located on the territory of the national park.

You can also stay in the city in hotels located in the immediate vicinity. Usually they are modern buildings with swimming pools and patios, where parking is equipped. The spacious rooms have a bathroom and a toilet. The cost of living is about $35. The most popular hotels in Viñales are:

• Casa Lucilo y Nirma;
• BR & Josefina y Esther;
• Casa Yakelin and Luisito.

Where to eat in the city?

The food here is cheap and delicious. Local restaurants offer bean, rice, pork or chicken dishes. You should choose an institution with caution, pay attention to cafes that have the least empty seats. If you want to eat in Viñales, then visit:

• Finca Agroecologica El Paraiso — Latin American dishes are prepared here;
• Restaurante El Cuajani — a restaurant with international cuisine;
• Restaurant-Bar Buena Vista — in this cafe you will try real Cuban dishes.

shopping

The city has only food markets, souvenir shops and shops that sell essential goods and personal care products. From here tourists bring rum, cigars, coffee, textiles, paintings, musical instruments and jewelry.

Transport

You can move around the territory of Viñales by hitchhiking, buses or taxis. You can also rent a moped, car or bicycle to explore all the local attractions on your own.

From Havana, you can get here by Viazul buses, which make regular flights twice a day. The fare is $12 and the journey takes up to 4 hours. Viñales can also be reached by car along the Carr road. Central de Cuba, the distance is about 180 km.