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Overview
A recent addition to the UNESCO World Heritage list, the town and valley of Vinales are found in the green province of Pinar del Rio. It's characterised by impressive round-topped hills called mogotes that date back to the Jurassic period and are covered with rich and varied vegetation. They are thought to be remnants of the plateau that was eroded by a network of underground rivers millions of years ago.
The Vinales Valley is located about 112 miles (180km) west of Havana, making it a good day-trip destination or weekend getaway. The valley is beautiful, a patchwork of nature's bounty mixed with green fields of tobacco, coffee and other crops that grow out of the rich red earth. Scattered palm trees and pine forests shelter a variety of melodious birds, while the region is also a magnet for speleologists and cave enthusiasts with its abundance of limestone caves and caverns.
The hilly landscape, quaint villages, oxen-ploughed fields, rustic barns and underground cave systems and rivers, provide a striking contrast to the faded colonial grandeur and white sandy beaches found on the rest of the island. The main valley village is Vinales, a charming and laid-back place that makes a good base for exploring the lovely countryside.
Sightseeing
Sightseeing
Glorious landscapes are the primary attraction of Vinales Valley, with odd round hills (magotes) and bright orange soil beneath striking greenery making the prehistoric-looking valley a unique and absorbing destination for travellers in Cuba. For a more authentic and intimate experience, tourists should avoid the tour buses and get a local guide to show them around the tobacco farms, caves and sites such as the Prehistoric Mural. Walks organised by the municipal museum allow locals to explain and show the ancient farming techniques still used by local farmers, while there is also a hop-on, hop-off bus for tourists that stops at all the main attractions in Vinales Valley.
One of the most popular things to do in Vinales is to visit the extensive and highly impressive cave systems, such as the fantastical Cueva Del Indio and the Gran Caverna De Santo Tomas. The unspoilt and authentic feel of these subterranean treasures is evident from the lack of colourful lighting or superficial decorations that so often detract from the majesty and mystery of these underground worlds.
A quick stroll down the quaint main road of the village shows visitors just how small the village is, but there are a handful of things to see and do in Vinales. The privately owned botanical garden, Jardin de las Hermanas Caridad y Carmen Miranda, is a delight, while the Centro Cultural Polo Montanez is great fun for some salsa dancing, live shows and a few tasty mojitos.