Many of us visit Cuba for the amazing sun-soaked beaches of Varadero and the energizing nightlife of Havana. And these reasons are truly worth it, don’t get me wrong. But if you are going to Cuba to get a dose of what life is like in this little pocket of the world, make sure that Viñales is on your list.
Viñales is a not so hidden gem in the Pinar del Río Province. The town is filled with colourful one-story houses, a wide, tree-lined main street, and several hotels like Hotel La Ermita and Horizontes Los Jazmines with magnificent views and a nostalgic 1950s vibe like so much of the country. Nestled in the surrounding low mountain ranges and unique rounded mogote hills, the Viñales Valley just north of the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts many backpackers from all around the world eager to try out the many hiking trails.
View from Horizontes Los Jazmines
The region has strong agricultural roots with lots of tobacco and coffee plantations and while you will see many of the iconic classic cars rumbling through downtown, you’ll not see any modern farm equipment in the World Heritage zone. Only oxen plow the fields there are if you are out for a walk on the side streets in town you may need to move out of the way as the farmers take their ox carts from field to field.
Tobacco drying house outside Viñales
Busy traffic outside Viñales on the road to Hotel La Ermita
Just about everywhere you looked you could find the little signs indicating that a home was a Casa Particular. My trip to Cuba was very last minute after some plans fell through with a friend in Mexico. So four days before I left home I hunted through Airbnb for a place that would meet the requirement: the ability to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with nature, as cliche as that sounds. I came across Villa La Finca Organic Farm in Viñales and couldn’t hit book soon enough.
Double Rainbow! View from the top of Villa La Finca home
The home of Alina, Juan, and Yaidel is located a short 10 minute walk outside of Viñales on the road to Puerto Esperanza but even though you are close to town and all the restaurants and shops, you still feel like you are in the quiet countryside. The views from all around the farm, including the rooftop, are amazing. There is nothing better to help you relax than to sit on one of the inviting rocking chairs, sip on some rum or delicious coffee, and watch the clouds roll over the mountains. The host family are the kindest people you will ever want to meet. They were welcoming right from the start. Yaidel was helpful with making arrangements for anything I wanted to see or do; Juan is an excellent tour guide through the valleys on horseback; and Alina’s cooking and hospitality will make you feel right at home like you are part of the family. I can’t say enough good things about my experience with them and you will find amazingly kind people like them throughout Cuba.
Riding off into the sunset on a little horse wagon
There is a different pace to life in Viñales. Most people come for a couple of days, see the sights, and head off to the next location. My suggestion though is to slow down. Sip the coffee. Rock in the rocking chair. Read a book. And breath a little easier. It’s the best reason to go.
Before you go:
Check out these books, movies, and shows before you go:
Lonely Planet Cuba 9th Ed.: 9th Edition
![[(The Motorcycle Diaries )] [Author: Che Guevara] [Jul-2004]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/415Ms2SkrFL.jpg)
[(The Motorcycle Diaries )] [Author: Che Guevara] [Jul-2004]
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Features
- HarperCollins Publishers
Cuba Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia (4K)
Travelling Around Viñales, Cuba
