Vinales is a beautiful corner of the Pinar Del Rio province; this small agricultural town in western Cuba offers tourists the chance to explore the luscious green countryside, including the scenic UNESCO-listed Vinales Valley and Sierra de los Organos Mountains.
What to see in Vinales
Boasting a quaint main street lined with beautiful colonial-era wooden houses, including the Municipal Museum, it’s a popular place to discover the region’s rich history, where you can wander the tobacco plantations and pick up world-famous Cuban cigars.
Three hours from the bustling city of Havana, Vinales attracts visitors from all walks of life – particularly those that have a passion for the great outdoors – making it the perfect destination for a spot of serenity amid stunning landscapes. Vinales Valley offers a host of natural marvels, with popular attractions including the Casa de Caridad Botanical Gardens and the steep rugged limestone hills known as Mogotes, which are more than 160 million years old! The beauty of this relaxed and traditional settlement is that it refuses to modernise with time, so much so that horses and ploughs are still used in agriculture here – providing an insight into the authentic daily life of this corner of Cuba.
Enjoy the Outdoors
One of the best things to do whilst you’re in Vinales is to explore the countryside on horseback, with riding tours one of the most popular ways to soak up the valley scenery; navigate through diverse, verdant landscapes stopping at cigar farms, honey and rum plantations, and inviting natural lakes perfect for an afternoon dip! Or if you don’t mind the dark, visit one of the destination’s famous caves, Cueva del Indio, El Palenque de Los Cimarrones and Santo Tomas – where you can navigate through the unique stalactites and stalagmites formations, passing a flowing underground river and even hike the interior and exterior of the cave.
If you’re up for a somewhat quirky afternoon, head to the Mural de la Prehistoria Vinales – a fascinating yet slightly strange mural showcasing a variety of colourful prehistoric scenes on a 100-metre-long rock wall. You can reach attractions such as this by taking the Viazul Bus, which is one of the cheapest ways to navigate the destination. If you prefer to soak up the sun rather than the history and culture of the place, (it’s the Caribbean after all), a day trip to Cayo Jutias will not disappoint. Roughly an hour from Vinales , this paradise island boasts a white sandy beach that’s totally worth the travel time – especially if you like to spend time sunbathing and swimming – complete with turquoise waters that turn a pretty shade of pink at sunset; it’s a spectacle worth seeing.
Vinales Nightlife
As evening rolls around head for Salvador Cisneros, the main street of Vinales, where you’ll find a selection of local restaurants serving fantastic food and pretty verandas perfect for enjoying a cocktail with a view. What tourists can expect to experience in Vinales is a small agricultural town with friendly people and total seclusion from the modern world – a spectacular destination to visit if you like to escape it all on your Cuba holidays.
