Touring in Cuba was a singular journey that we lastly acquired to expertise in 2016, after years of the nation being closed to tourism. We spent 3 weeks exploring Cuba, however of all of the locations we visited on that journey, Viñales was undoubtedly one of many highlights.
Having fun with the views of Vinales Cuba
Situated simply 2.5 hours west of Havana, Vinales is an ideal spot for a day journey from Havana and an excellent vacation spot to spend a pair days exploring the realm.
And since a lot of the actions in Viñales happen open air, it’s a nice vacation spot for an eco-conscious traveler seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of Havana.
Greatest Time to Go to Viñales, Cuba
In Cuba, the dry season is between December and Could. Climate-wise, that is the very best time to go to Viñales as you’ll keep away from the heavy rains. Nevertheless, it’s the major vacationer season so that you’ll see essentially the most crowds throughout this time.
The wet season lasts from June to November and on the finish of the season, there may be an elevated threat of hurricanes. Should you don’t thoughts buying and selling potential rain for fewer vacationers, go to between June and early August. Late August to October sees the best threat of hurricanes, so keep away from visiting Viñales Cuba throughout these months.
Prime Issues to do in Viñales Cuba
Go Horseback Using
Horseback using is among the hottest actions to do in Viñales and no go to could be full with out it, because it means that you can discover the area past the principle city. Horseback using in Viñanes was an enormous spotlight of our time within the valley!
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Horseback using is good for this space as a result of the muddy fields could make for some exhausting strolling, however horses haven’t any bother with it. Better of all, it’s a enjoyable strategy to get a recent perspective on Viñales.
Horseback using in Vinales
When you meet your native information, you’ll saddle as much as begin your journey, traversing pink filth roads beside rows and rows of tobacco crops. Alongside the best way, you’ll cross farmhouses and secaderos, the homes the place the tobacco is dried.
You could even get an opportunity to cease on the lake for a swim if the climate is sweet. Most significantly, you’ll have ample time to soak up the peaceable surroundings whereas on horseback.
We booked our horseback tour straight with our Casa Specific hosts, however in case you are planning to go to Vinales in the course of the excessive season, we advocate that you just e book forward.
Go to a Tobacco Plantation and Smoke Cigars
Cigars are Cuba’s most well-known export and whether or not you’re a smoker or not, a go to to a tobacco plantation and cigar manufacturing unit is an interesting peek into the nation’s historical past and tradition. Your information will present you across the plantation, explaining the tobacco plant cultivation and harvesting course of and answering any questions you might need.
Subsequent, you’ll see the within of a secadero and see how the cigars are rolled. Attempt one in all them for your self, or get a field to convey house.
Visiting a tobacco plantation
One improbable factor concerning the plantations is that lots of them are eco-farms. In addition to tobacco, a superb portion of them harvest natural produce and use sturdy sustainability practices.
In case your horseback using tour doesn’t embrace a go to to a tobacco plantation, be certain that to plan a separate one your self!
Go to the Underground Caves of Viñales
There’s a dizzying community of underground caves ready to be explored in Vinales, Cuba. Essentially the most well-known one, La Cueva del Indio, is flooded with water, so it’s important to take a ship journey by way of the subterranean tunnels to achieve it
Exploring the caves of Vinales
If you wish to go to a extra distant cave, strive La Cueva de Palmarito. You’ll have to hike or journey a horse for almost 10kms (6 miles) to achieve it, however you’ll be rewarded with an superior place to swim (and also you’ll possible have all of it to your self!)
Should you’re a real fan of the caves, don’t miss Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás. Though it’s the biggest cave system in all the Caribbean, most of its 45 km of underground tunnels are usually not open to the general public. Nonetheless, it’s value a go to for a few kilometres. Simply be certain that to rent a information, as it’s required as a way to enter.
Go Mountain climbing
Should you wish to hike, there are many alternatives to take action within the Viñales Valley. The mogote hills are what gave the area UNESCO safety open to guests.
The hottest hike is the ascent to Los Aquáticos, an eco-village perched on prime of a mountain that may solely be reached on foot or on horseback. For a really unforgettable expertise, trek to Los Aquáticos at dawn.
A lot of the Viñales Valley Nationwide Park is uncharted so far as trails go, so ensure you are ready and capable of navigate your self when you enter the jungle. Should you’re uncomfortable with this, take into account occurring a guided hike.
See the Mural de Prehistoria
The most well-known landmark within the Viñales Valley is the Mural de Prehistoria, a large portray on the face of a limestone wall. Artist Leovigildo González Morillo designed the idea, impressed by the work of Diego Rivera. The mural depicts scenes from the idea of evolution and is a visually lovely attraction value trying out throughout your time in Vinales
Mural de Prehistoria
Pack a bit picnic and benefit from the views whereas enjoyable on the grassy knoll with the locals.
The place to Keep within the Viñales Valley
Inns in Viñales, Cuba
Whereas there are just a few motels in Viñales, Cuba, there are some easy and cozy choices. Attempt the Resort La Ermita for a beautiful choice with a standout swimming pool.
Casa Specific, Viñales
What Viñales lacks in motels, it definitely makes up for in guesthouses, or Casas Particulares. These most definitely supply the finest choices for Viñales lodging.
The ambiance in these Casas Particulares is unrivalled. The locals are cheerful and pleasant, able to welcome you into their houses and feed you a number of the finest meals you’ll discover in Cuba. They’ll be the right place to loosen up after a day exploring the Viñales Valley.
Inside a Casa Specific in Cuba
There are over 300 Casas Particulares within the valley, leaving you no scarcity of selections. Right this moment, the vast majority of them will be booked on Airbnb.
Though many vacationers, particularly these touring exterior of the excessive season, depend on phrase of mouth and find yourself at Casas really helpful by locals upon arrival in Vinales. That’s precisely what we did and though this technique generally is a little bit of a success or a miss, we loved going with the move and not likely understanding the place we’ll find yourself each night time.
The place to Eat and Drink in Viñales
Balcón del Valle
Should you’re feeling adventurous, head to this native Cuban restaurant with no menu. At Balcón del Valle, merely select fish, hen, or pork and wait to be stunned!
Tres Jotas
Maybe essentially the most distinctive restaurant in Viñales Cuba, Tres Jotas serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For a real style of Cuba, strive the pig roast or the prawns recent from the river.
Diner at Casa Particulares Viñales
As tasty as any restaurant could also be, a house cooked meal made only for you by your Cuban hosts shall be fairly exhausting to beat. Meals may embrace vegetable soup, grilled fish, cassava root, rice, and beans. Hold your eyes peeled for recent tropical fruits as nicely resembling pineapple, mango, and papaya – they’re scrumptious!
A scrumptious meal at our Casa Specific
The meals we had in our Casa Specific had been all the time a lot better than something we grabbed in native eating places. Not solely had been they cheaper and tastier, however additionally they supplied extra earnings to our host household. We’re all about supporting the native hosts, so for us, it was a no brainer to eat at Casa Particulares every day.
How A lot Time Do You Want in Viñales?
Whereas some individuals solely go to Viñales Cuba as a day journey from Havana, staying within the valley a bit longer is nice if you wish to spend further time exploring and attending to know the realm.
We might extremely advocate staying not less than one or two nights within the Viñales Valley. There’s no scarcity of enjoyable actions within the space and staying just for at some point would imply you’d miss a number of them. As well as, staying in a Casa Specific in Viñales is half the enjoyable.
You don’t wish to miss the expertise of constructing mates along with your native hosts, attempting some home made meals, and enjoyable on a porch or rooftop with recent tropical fruit juice in your hand.
Have you ever visited Vinales whereas in Cuba? What different actions or suggestions would you advocate to different vacationers planning a visit right here ?