Viñales |
Another attraction of the province is the Viñales Valley, located in the Sierra de los Órganos, north of the town of Viñales. The landscape of valley is spectacular with its steep-sided limestone mogotes in strong contrast with the plane, green valleys. You might get the impression you landed in Vietnam, but no: you still are in fascinating Cuba.
Designated a World Heritage Landscape by UNESCO in 1999 because of its natural beauty and the traditional agricultural techniques which continue to used in the cultivation of tobacco, coffee, sugarcane, oranges, avocados and bananas there, the valley is a popular hiking and rock climbing location.
If you like horsebackriding, in this area this can easily be organized, simply ask the owner of the particular house where you are staying and he or she will be happy to help. Normally trips take around 3 hours.
There are many caves in the valley's surrounding hills, the majority of which can be explored. Of particular interest is the Cueva de los Portales, near the Río Caiguanabo, where during the Cuban Missile Crisis Che Guevara set up his staff headquarters and dormitory as commander of the Western Army.
And talking of dormitories: in Viñales we have a number of option lined up for you. Don’t miss a lazy monring with breakfast looking over the spectacular landscape that Viñales has to offer.
Viñales itself is a lovely small town, little more than a road of one-storey whitewashed colonial houses and a horse or two, founded in 1875. The hurricanes in 2008 have taken away some of its attraction but it is still worth a visit, if only to get a feel of what probably is the friendliest town in Cuba. And of course, it serves as a perfect base for hiking in the surrounding hills or a day at the beach on the north coast.
If you are in Viñales and you fancy a day at the beach, why don’t you visit the Cayos? Both at Cayo Jutia nd Cayo Levisa you will find the typical Carribean beaches with crystal clear blue waters….
There is a daily bus service from Havana vía Pinar del Río, run by Viazul. There are also some local buses between villages, although you may prefer to take a rental car or a taxi.
Tourist information can be obtained in La Casa del Visitante, on the main road. There is also a post office in town. (Ceferino Fernandez 14, near the town square.) Carnival is celebrated in March. |
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