| Pinar del Rio |
Pinar del Río is the province at the western end of the island. It is quiet, laid back and friendly. The provincial capital, the town of Pinar del Río, has some cultural and historical attractions (such as the Cathedral of San Rosendo, el Palacio de los Matrimonios, a cigar factory and a brandy factory), however the most popular attractions of the area are located in rural regions and natural settings.
To start with, the Pinar del Río province contains one of Cuba's three main mountain ranges, the Cordillera de Guaniguanico, divided into the Sierra del Rosario in the east (with its highest point – Pan de Guajaibón – at 699m) and the Sierra de los Organos in the west. These form a landscape with the charateristic mogotes, steep sided limestone hills against its flat, lush and green valleys.
Pinar del Río has more UNESCO-protected land than any other province in Cuba. The reason being its abundant and singular nature. Some examples to illustrate this: Pinar del Río is the natural and only habitat of the palma corcho (cork palm), a living fossil, considered to be of prehistoric origin and of which only around thousand specimens are left. Viñales, part of the province, forms the natural surroundings of the viana regina, the most ancient snail species on earth.
As we have seen ourselves during our trips, Cuba is a natural treasure in itself where many endemic species, both flora and fauna live. If you love nature and tranquility, you should definitely visit this province. On www.househostelcuba.com we offer accommodation in casas particulares in even the most remote corner of Pinar del Rio.
Pinar de Rio is also the province where top class tobacco is cultivated.
We suggest, from www.househostelcuba.com that if you are interested in tobacco and you want to know about how it is grown and made into some fine cigars, do not doubt it for a minute and visit this province.
Its rich soil produces 70% of Cuba´s tobacco crops for some of the best cigars in the world. Renowned is the area known as Las Vegas of Vueltabajo, with towns such as Consolacion del Sur, San Luis and San Juan y Martinez. Travelling through there you will see tobacco plantations, where the fileds are still worked the traditional way: with ox and plough.
The numerous coral gardens, caves and its crystalline waters make Pinar del Río one of Cuba’s most popular diving destinations. The best diving facilities are offered at Cayo Levisa, known for its rich black coral, at Cayo Jutía and at María la Gorda with around 30 diving sites, some of which at only 200 meters from the beach. To give you an idea, our team of www.househostelcuba.com made several videos of the diving facilities and areas which are simple spectacular. And for you to know: for sure the biggest fish are to be found here, at Maria la Gorda!
The town of Pinar del Río is not the most attractive place, but its people are friendly and there is always something going on. On our site you will find several casas particulares in this town, some of them in gorgeous colonial buildings.
Pinar del Rio is 186 kms from La Habana - about 4 hours by Víazul bus, 6 hours by train and just over 2 hours by car, mainly along the wide, empty motorway onto which you can connect just outside La Habana. The bus - air-conditioned - is definitely more comfortable, the trip by train will be a slow one, with many stops and during late hours there is always the risk of pickpockets being on board. Once in Pinar del Río you can either take local buses to visit surrounding towns or rely on a rental car or taxi.
There are lockers at the bus station and there is a post office (Marti Este, 49, Isabel Rubio. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00am to 8:00pm). Carnival is in July with parades and open-air celebrations. |
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