Vinales and Pinar del Rio

Pinar del Rio
Welcome to Pinar del Rio, the westernmost region of Cuba, famous for the beauty of its landscapes, its tobacco crops and its marvelous people. Blessed by nature, it treasures a great variety in its flora and fauna and is a very interesting destination for those who find being in touch with nature a good reason to travel. Diving lovers will be able to practice it at Cayo Levisa, Cayo Jutia and Maria La Gorda, the latter being a great place for its beautiful sea bottoms. On this land you will find famous places with their delicious dishes like the roasted pork at the restaurant of the Prehistory Mural, the Don Tomas paella and the smoked chicken at Rumayor, at the capital of the province, and also the offers of Eco-restaurant El Romero, of Las Terrazas. You will be able to enjoy delicious Cuban cocktails in all out facilities, and we recommend the pina colada at the Prehistory Mural. Pinar del Rio is a great place to enjoy nature, get to know a culture enriched by its traditions and the artistic creations. Together with the culture of tobacco, you will feel the pleasure to swim in the waters of its heavenly beaches, and at night share the joy of the Caribbean with its people and rhythms in a peaceful, healthy and safe environment. Pinar awaits you, Pinar is for you.
Pinar del Rio, known as the Green Province of Cuba, has 34 protected areas taking up 22% of the territory. Two are World Biosphere Reserves: Guanahacabibes and Sierra del Rosario, 2 are National Parks: Guanahacabibes and Vinales. The latter is also Humanity’s Cultural Landscape. Pinar del Rio city is found 175 km west of Havana and it is the capital of the third largest province in the country. To the north lies the Guaniguanico mountain range, made up of the Organos and Rosario mountain ranges. There are beautiful valleys, such as the Vinales Valley, in the Organos mountain range. There are more than 800 species of plants and 70 of them are endemic of the area. Many of the region’s rivers are underground rivers and have created great caves like the one of Santo Tomas, a National Monument, with interconected galleries stretching 45 kilometers in. In the Rosario mountain range we find the Pan de Guajaibon, the highest point in the province as well as beautiful spots like the Soroa Tourist Park and the sustainable tourism project of Las Terrazas. There are white sandy beaches to the north of the province like the ones of Cayo Levisa and Cayo Jutias, where you can practice different types of sports. To the south you have the Maria La Gorda International Diving Center, located in the Guanahacabibes National Park.
The land of best tobacco
On November 5th, 1492, a Monday, two members of Christopher Columbus’s crew exploring areas in the island of Cuba discovered something that surprised them enormously, which the Great Admiral later jotted down in his Diary:"…along the way they found many people, the men holding a charred stick in their hands and certain grasses, which are dry grasses wrapped on a dry leave, like a musket, and they lit one end of it and sucked or absorbed or received that smoke by holding their breath without realizing the magnitude of their story, they had discovered the land of tobacco. Quickly, and with great pleasure, European curiosity learned from the Cuban natives the art of smoking. Thus Juan Nicot, French ambassador to Lisbon, writes to Catherine of Medici; that is why in the beginning it was known as "the Queen’s grass" until Linneo, the Swedish naturalist, named the gender Nicotine, in honor of Nicot. Later, Francis Drake the corsair introduced it in England. Tobacco is native to Cuba, and grown and picked in several regions of the Island, but mostly in the meadows of Vueltabajo, in Pinar del Rio. The tobacco plant is very delicate; its cultivation requires technique and the basic experience of the proud tobacco growers. The tobacco drying houses are a landmark in the landscapes of the meadows. They are built on a very high prop, made of wood, palm leaves and guano and positioned east to west to receive sunlight in the early hours of the morning. The factories are usually found in the cities and towns. Cigars or havanos are bound with rings or vitolas, lithographic labels of a specific brand which constitute their seal of guarantee and true woks of art. There are thousands of passionate collectors around the world of these valuable specimens of an ancient Cuban art.
Vinales
Vinales Valley is an outstanding karst landscape in which traditional methods of agriculture (notably tobacco-growing) have survived unchanged for several centuries. The region also preserves a rich vernacular tradition in its architecture, crafts and music. The numerous caves scattered on the slopes of the hillocks in the Vinales Valley were inhabited for many centuries before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors.
The fertile soil and favourable climate were conducive to the development of stockraising and the cultivation of fodder and food crops, using slaves from Africa. The cimarrones (escaped slaves) often found refuge in the caves of the valley.
The Pan de Azucar site contains the ruins of the biggest hacienda, where slaves were taught different trades. The valley is surrounded by mountains. It is a plain of arable land, dotted with spectacular limestone outcrops (mogotes ) rising to a height of up to 300 m.
It has a series of very large caves containing ammonite fossils. The vegetation on the hills is characterized by local endemic species, particularly Microcycas calocoma , and a living fossil of the Cretaceous phanerogamic flora. It is home to an interesting avian and molluscan fauna. The entire plain is devoted to traditional agriculture. Recent experiments have revealed that mechanical methods lower the quality of tobacco, and this explains why old methods, such as animal traction, are still being used.
Following the emergence and considerable expansion of tobacco cultivation, the village of Vinales was founded in 1875, along the road leading from Pinar del Rio, the capital of the province, to Puerto Esperanza, the main outlet to the sea. The Western Railroad (Ferrocarril del Oeste), of which only a few vestiges are left, was built in 1882.
Vinales Valley was the scene of several military operations during the War of Independence and also during the Cuban Revolution. At present, the valley is devoted to agriculture; its population of some 8,000 people is engaged mainly in growing tobacco, a crop which gives the best yields. Most of the buildings scattered over the plain are simple; they are built using local and natural materials, and are used as homes or family farms.
The village of Vinales, strung out along its main street, has retained its original layout, and there are many interesting examples of colonial architecture. The valley is home to an original culture, a synthesis of contributions from indigenous peoples, Spanish conquerors and black slaves.
An excellent illustration is the musical expression of the field worker (veguero ), of which Benito Hernandez Cabrera (known as the Vinalero) was the main interpreter. Traditional crafts also flourish here. Cubans identify themselves strongly with Vinales Valley because of the beauty of the site and its historical and cultural importance.
In the visual arts, the valley has been transformed into a symbol of the Caribbean landscape by artists such as Domingo Ramos and Tiburcio Lorenzo. The site has a high degree of authenticity. It has been able to preserve its specific character, while adapting to modern conditions of life and receiving flows of visitors.
Cueva del Indio (The Indium’s cave)
The Cueva del Indio or The Indium’s cave is one of the many caves in the region of the Viñales Valley, Pinar del Rio, Cuba. It is the largest, The Great Cavern of Santo Tomas is much higher, but not as accessible and perhaps not as attractive to the general public. Besides the various forms and shapes formed by the stalactites and stalagmites in this cave paintings have been found and the remains of utensils and burial of pre-Columbian Cuban cultures. This cave is visited with a small boat particular over San Vicente river. This cave is near the road to San Cayetano Vinales. About five and a half kilometers from the town of Vinales, before coming to San Vicente.
Cueva de San Miguel (The San Miguel’s Cave)
Caves in the Vinales Valley served as a refuge for pre-Columbian cultures that lived in Cuba before the discovery of the island by Europeans. In some of these cave paintings have been found, the remains of utensils and burial of such cultures. With the discovery came some changes, and those who inhabited the island were mostly killed. Then they brought the African culture, thanks to his physical strength could withstand the abuse any longer. But not everyone was ready for a life of abuse and whenever they could they ran away, thus becoming runaways. In this region of Pinar del Rio was in the limestone hills, and possibly in the caves during storms, where feral dogs managed to escape their pursuers. This cave is near the road to San Cayetano Vinales. About four kilometers from the town of Vinales, before arriving at La Cueva del Indio.
Prehistoric Mural
In the Valley of Two Sisters, we can find the Prehistoric Mural, which is painted on a stone from one of the lifts. This mural shows the evolution of life on natural sense in Cuba. The Prehistoric Mural is located on the hillock called Pita. Can be found in a perpendicular slope which was cleaned prior to this work, the rock was washed and drains were also made her a little to avoid future erosion due to rain. It stretches along the valley for 120 and 160 meters long, its author was Leovigildo Gonzalez Morillo, now deceased, who was Director of Cartography of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba. It represented the Indians Guanahatabeyes, species of mammals, gigantic animals and some shellfish. In the mural can be seen in the evolutionary process 12 pieces of men and animals in the Sierra of the organs, at various stages. As a special feature we need to paint or touch up existing paint on it covers a whole complicated and risky process that takes 5 years to complete, is painted entirely with a brush.
Trips
Pinar del Rio + VinalesA visit to the Cigar Factory and the Guayabita del Pinar rum factory. A trip to Viñales with a stopover at the Los Jazmines lookout point to absorb the panoramic view of the valley and its mountains. On the Prehistoric Mural, and a visit to the home of a farmer, the Palenque de los Cimarrones and the Cueva del Indio, where you can take a boat ride through an underground river. Ends with a Creole lunch in the area.
Tour VinalesA visit to the most attractive spots in the Valley, beginning with the Los Jazmines lookout point to enjoy one of the most wonderful views of the Vinales Valley. It includes a visit to the Prehistoric Mural, the home of a farmer, a tobacco drying house, the Palenque de los Cimarrones and the Cueva del Indio for a boat ride through an underground river.
Cayo LevisaDeparture for Palma Rubia from where you take a boat to this beautiful islet with crystal clear waters. It includes a welcome cocktail and free time to explore the beach and practice sports such as diving, snorkeling and visits to nearby keys. Sailor’s style lunch.
TabacotourTravel to Vegas de Tabaco in San Juan y Martinez where the best tobacco in the world is grown, to visit a tobacco treatment drying house and a tobacco picking session at the local cooperative El Vizcaino. Travel to Pinar del Rio city for a panoramic tour and a visit to a cigar factory, Francisco Donation.
Eco touristic walksTravel to an area with paths for a hiking tour around the mountains or into the heart of the Viñales valley to learn of its traditions, its native flora and fauna as well as meeting the local population.
RidingHorseback riding through the paths in the mountains to enjoy nature and life outdoors.
Green I love you GreenTravel to Las Terrazas Community, a sustainable tourism project 50 km outside of Havana. Walking tour of the community to admire the flora and fauna. Meet the local population. Visit the ruins of French coffee plantations, swim in the waterfalls of the San Juan river. Lunch in the area.
Trip to SoroaTravel to Soroa Park, 70 km outside of Havana, to visit one of the most beautiful natural spots in Cuba. Visit to an orchid arboretum, a water fall,an ecotourism hiking trail and the gallery of a local painter.
Sea Activities
Trip through the Levisa estuariesSunset Trip
Daytime and nighttime diving: 23 different diving spots
Luggage Rental
Courses in Diving and Introduction to Diving
María La Gorda, Marina
Customs, Captaincy and Harbor and Immigration Services (temporal visas for sale), groceries, fuel and fresh water, as well as laundry services.
This facility has 3 ships, 3 yachts 41 feet long with two Volvo Penta engines each and a capacity for 28, 12 and 30 divers.
For all diving services three yachts are used with a Bauver compressork-18 1991, 80 bottles of compressed air, Bauver k-15 2000 compressor, 30 full Cressi-Sub and Mares 1999 diving equipment. There are reanimation equipments both on board and on land and highly qualified medical staff.
Cabo de San Antonio, Marina
In the northwestern tip of the Guanacabibes peninsula, only 7 Km. away from the Roncali lighthouse, surrounded by the jungle and the ocean, you can find Marina Cabo de San Antonio, in an area known as Los Morros de Piedra. There are ecologic hiking trails, a wide variety of indigenous flora and fauna, caves, crevices, casimbas, lagoons and cenotes which never cease to amaze the visitor.
Las Terrazas, sustainable Tourism Project
Las Terrazas is a 5 000 hectarea area located in the easternmost part of Sierra del Rosario. It is characterized by a diverse geography, with mountain ranges shot through with hydrographic basins including the rivers Pedernales, San Juan y Bayate, among others. Since1990 an infrastructure began to be developed to create a rural experience of sustainable development based on tourism, taking advantage of its indigenous natural wealth, the educational and socio-cultural levels reached in the area and the incorporation of architecture to the landscape and nature. The Last Terrazas Complex was built in 1994. The Moka Hotel is the main facility, opened on September 28th, 1994. It has 26 rooms with a 4 star category. There are other rooming services in the community villas, rooms in private homes in the community of Las Terrazas, as well as rustic cabins in the Banos de San Juan.



