Viñales, a tranquil oasis nestled in the heart of Cuba, offers a stark contrast to the bustling city of Havana or the beachside paradise of Varadero. With a lush green backdrop of tobacco fields and unique limestone hills known as mogotes, Viñales presents an excellent opportunity for travelers to experience the serene side of Cuba.
This guide will provide you with all the information you need to visit Viñales from Havana or Varadero. I also explain everything you can do once you get there, with an emphasis on the attractions you must see while visiting Viñales!
How to visit Viñales and what to see?
Exploring Viñales: Getting to Know Viñales Valley
Viñales Valley, a captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the Pinar del Rio region of Cuba. This picturesque valley is renowned for its traditional agricultural practices, particularly tobacco farming, which contributes to the production of world-famous Cuban cigars.
Yet Viñales is not just about agriculture. The town, with its colonial-style houses and large porches, exudes a charming, rustic appeal. The unique topography of the region, marked by the presence of mogotes, further enhances Viñales’ allure.
To me, Viñales Valley looks like the set of a Jurassic Park movie. Just check out the scenery we filmed this year while in Viñales. The video below, from my YouTube channel, shows you all the attractions mentioned in this article. So you can see them before deciding to visit.
Getting to Viñales: The Journey from Havana or Varadero
Getting to Viñales from Havana or Varadero is relatively easy, thanks to the numerous transportation options available. The journey from Havana takes approximately 2.5 hours by car, while the trip from Varadero is roughly twice as long, taking around 5 hours.
The distance between Viñales and Havana is 185km (115 miles). And Viñales is roughly 335km (208 miles) from Varadero.
If you are visiting from Varadero, it’s worth considering a stopover in Havana. As the route from Varadero will skirt the outer suburbs of Havana.
My own preference when planning to visit Viñales from Varadero, would be to transfer to Havana for 48 hours and explore the city. Before taking a day trip to Viñales from Havana and a return transfer to Varadero.
From Havana to Viñales
There are five (5) ways to reach Viñales from Havana. Here’s a handy list of transport options between Havana and Viñales:
- Private Taxi: You can opt for a private taxi, which takes around 2 to 3 hours.
- Shared Taxi: You can choose a collective taxi, which offers a shared ride with other travelers.
- Public Transport (Bus): You can take a Viazul bus from Havana to Viñales. The bus journey takes a little over 4 hours, and you can book the tickets online at www.viazul.wetransp.com.
- Private Transfer: You can book private transfers online. These will be in a modern vehicle with air-conditioning. The driver will speak English and they will pick you up at the time and location set when booking.
- Day Trip (tour): You can book a day trip from Havana to Viñales (recommended). These tours should be pre-booked to fit with your Cuba itinerary. And the driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Havana and take you on a tour of Viñales. You will see all the major sites of interest (see below).
Now, if you want to explore Viñales without a tour guide or you want to stay overnight in Viñales, my recommendation is to book a private transfer from Havana. For $75 USD per person or less you (and your luggage) can be chauffeured by an English speaking driver to Viñales in a modern vehicle with air conditioning.
However, if you only want to spend a day in Viñales, hit all the major sites and then return to Havana, I recommend taking a tour. The tours of Viñales will take you to all the major attractions covered below.
For our YouTube video of Viñales (above), the boys took a private transfer to film. And I took the Viñales Valley Private Tour by Classic Car.
I highly recommend taking the Viñales Valley Private Tour by Classic Car as the guides are excellent. The drivers speak English and they will allow you to adjust your itinerary and visit the sites you choose in the order that you want to see them.
All the tours will have English speaking guides and they will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation in Havana. The vehicles will all be classic American cars from the 1950’s so you can cruise to and through Viñales in style!
From Varadero to Viñales
Traveling from Varadero to Viñales is a bit longer, taking about 5 hours by car. There are no direct buses from Varadero to Viñales, so the best options are to book a private transfer (recommended) or book a day trip.
Here’s a handy list of the transport options between Varadero and Viñales:
- Private Taxi: You can opt for a private taxi, which takes around 5 hours.
- Shared Taxi: You can choose a collective taxi, which offers a shared ride with other travelers.
- Private Transfer: You can book private transfers online. These will be in a modern vehicle with air-conditioning. The driver will speak English and they will pick you up at the time and location set when booking.
- Day Trip (tour): You can book a day trip from Varadero to Viñales. These tours should be pre-booked to fit with your Cuba itinerary and they will pick you up from your accommodation in Varadero and take you on a tour of Viñales. You will see all the major sites of interest (see below).
When visiting Viñales from Varadero, I recommend taking a private transfer and staying overnight in Viñales. But if you’re pushed for time when visiting Cuba, there are day trips available.
The day trips to Viñales from Varadero are run by the same group of guys who drive from Havana. So your guide will speak English and you will be chauffeured to and from Viñales in a 1950’s American car.
You will hit all of the same sites you would if you took the day trip from Havana. Yet you will spend longer in transit. But if you love the old cars like me, this isn’t a problem. Just grab a cigar or two and a bottle of rum, sit back and enjoy the ride.
Things to Do in Viñales: Discover the Viñales Valley
Once you’ve arrived in Viñales, it’s time to explore the best of what Viñales has to offer. Here are the sites you must visit and the activities you should have on your Viñales itinerary:
Visit a Tobacco Plantation in Viñales
Viñales is synonymous with tobacco farming, and a visit to a tobacco plantation is a must-do activity. Learn about the growth cycles of tobacco, the process of making cigars and the unique regulations governing tobacco sales in Cuba.
Check out our YouTube video (on this page) to see what the cigar making process looks like. Don’t forget to buy some handmade cigars as souvenirs!
Explore the Limestone Caves in Viñales
Viñales is home to several caves that offer an exciting adventure for explorers. The most popular among them are the Indian Cave (Cueva del Indio), which features a boat ride through an underground river. And the Santo Tomas Cave, the largest cave network in Cuba.
In our YouTube video (above), you can see the Indian Cave (Cueva del Indio) and the ‘native’ dance that’s performed on the way into the cave. While interesting, as you can hear in the video, we weren’t particularly convinced that the ‘native dance’ was, well, ‘native’.
The limestone caves themselves were the real drawcard for us.
Visit the Mural de la Prehistoria in Viñales
This large mural, painted on a rock wall in the valley, depicts scenes from prehistoric times. While the mural is not ancient, it’s a unique attraction that adds a touch of color to the landscape.
The Mural de la Prehistoria is over 120 meters high and is considered one of the largest open air (outdoor) frescos in the world. Its primary artist was Leovigildo González Morillo, who was Director of Cartography of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba.
Take in the View from Hotel Los Jazmines in Viñales
Hotel Los Jazmines offers breathtaking views of the Viñales Valley. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, you can pay a day fee to use their pool and enjoy the view. It’s a perfect spot to relax and take some stunning photos of the valley.
Visit the Plaza Mayor in Viñales
The ‘Plaza Mayor’ is the main town square in Viñales. It’s home to the main church in Viñales and is surrounded by restaurants and tourist oriented businesses.
It’s a relatively small town square. And the church and surrounding attractions don’t take long to visit. As you can hear in the video on this page, the trinkets sold around the Plaza Mayor aren’t really that ‘authentic’. Instead, explore the square and church, take a photo with your classic car and then head to a restaurant.
If you want souvenirs from Viñales, grab some cigars and a bottle of rum when visiting the tobacco plantations.
Dine at Local Restaurants in Viñales
Viñales boasts several local restaurants that serve delicious Cuban cuisine. You’ll find a variety of options, from hearty meals at family-owned eateries to lighter fare at street food stalls.
The canchanchara cocktails made with aguardiente, lemon and honey sold at Mogote Café, 400 meters from Plaza Mayor, are fantastic! Yet the views too are spectacular and the food is divine. With the majority of their produce grown by them in the gardens behind the restaurant.
You can see the Mogote Café in our YouTube video (on this page). Definitely visit the Mogote Café while in Viñales!
Staying Longer in Viñales Cuba
Now if you’re coming from Havana, a one day tour of Viñales is sufficient for most people. You’ll hit all the main sites. Sure, you won’t see everything but you’ll see the sites that matter most.
Yet for those of you who are coming to Viñales from Varadero, I’d personally recommend that you consider staying the night. That way you’ll spend roughly 5 hours less in a car. Sure, the old cars are fun, but long road trips can get boring.
If you do decide to stay overnight in Viñales there’s plenty of accommodation available. But better still, there’s plenty of activities you can add to your Viñales itinerary. From relaxation to adventure, you will find plenty more to see and do in Viñales.
So, if you are going to stay more than a day in Viñales, here’s what you need to know and some of the activities I recommend you add to your Viñales itinerary!
Staying in Viñales: Casa Particular
When it comes to accommodation in Viñales, a ‘casa particular’ is the way to go. These are private houses owned by locals who rent out spare rooms or entire apartments to visitors. Staying in a casa particular offers a unique opportunity to experience the local way of life and interact with Cubans.
Several casas particulares are listed on Airbnb, offering a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. Just remember that you will need a VPN to use Airbnb in Cuba. If you’ve got Airbnb and a VPN, just open the app and find one that suits your needs and budget. There’s many Airbnb’s to choose from in Viñales.
Riding Around the Viñales Valley
Rent a bike and pedal your way around the tobacco fields and mogotes. This is a great way to enjoy the lush countryside and get a closer look at the local farming practices. A bike ride through the Viñales valley is a truly refreshing experience that allows you to soak in the area’s natural beauty.
Yet for the more adventurous (like me) and lazy (also like me), you can take a horseback tour of the Viñales Valley. Much like our horseback ride through Finca Vista Hermosa in Guanabacoa, the horses in Viñales were all very well behaved.
Enjoy a Beach Day at Cayo Jutias from Viñales
If you’re in Viñales for more than a day, consider taking a trip to the beach. Cayo Jutias, renowned for its pristine sands and clear waters, is about an hour’s drive from Viñales. It’s an ideal spot to unwind and soak up some Caribbean sun.
Experience the Nightlife in Viñales
Despite its small size, Viñales has a lively nightlife scene. The main square often hosts salsa dancing classes and parties, creating a vibrant atmosphere that’s a joy to be part of.
Wrapping Up Your Visit to Viñales Cuba
Your visit to Viñales, whether from Havana or Varadero, promises to be an enriching experience. This charming valley offers a window into Cuba’s rural life and traditional practices, while also providing ample opportunities for relaxation and adventure.
Whether you’re exploring tobacco plantations, biking through the countryside, or simply soaking in the stunning views, Viñales is sure to leave you with lasting memories. It’s the type of landscape that you won’t soon forget!
Where Can I Get More Information About Cuba?
I’ve made my Complete Guide To Traveling Cuba available on this website. And I recommend you read it before traveling to Cuba. It will help you navigate Cuba and Cuban society.
My Complete Guide To Cuba will save you a lot of time and a significant amount of money on your trip to Cuba. Cuba is not the sort of destination where you can just arrive unprepared.
Read the most Complete Guide To Traveling Cuba here.
