Viñales Valley – Best Cuba Attractions

The Valleys of Vinales

Located in the countryside location of Sierra de Los Organos, on the mid-western side of the main islands of Cuba the heritage site of Vinales Valley, sits a short trip north of the local town of Vinales.

If you want to more than just Havana and the beaches of Varadero, then the Vinales Valley is the greenest part of the country and a wonderful area to enjoy the space and outdoors and to get a feel for a very different part of the country, as to experience a quite different cultural shock from that of the streets of Havana.

These valleys are a tourist attraction in their own right and particular points of interest and worth including on your itinerary if you are finding your own way around this region are as follows:

Mogotes, Cuba

If you have never heard of Mogotes before, then do not worry. Maybe people have not until they visit.

Mogotes are very steep hills that look like towers and are normally made of limestone or marble.

In the case of the Mogotes in the valleys here, the Mogotes are the result of the plateau which eroded over the centuries.

Surrounded by rich and ever-green vegetation, a number of crops are grown and the wildlife in abundance.

The Town of Vinales

Vinales the town is a peaceful location which is a good place if you need to stop for something to eat, want to buy some souvenirs for your trip or just want to sit and watch the locals whilst enjoying a Cuban coffee.

Chances are that your tour will stop in the town at some point on your trip or that you will drive through the town.

Tours Worth Doing

Horseback riding through the valleys. This is a fantastic way to enjoy the rural area and see some stunning scenery.
Walking tour through the tobacco fields. Include a visit to one of the cigar-making places where you can see a cigar made from scratch.
Drive to the Cueva del Indio and enjoy the stunning caves and also go on the boat trip on the river underground.

My Experience of the Vinales Valley

For me, this is one of my favorite areas in Cuba because I think one gets a true authentic and cultural experience and I quite often go to the Cuevas Del Indio (the Indian Caves) and love the area in general.

Tourism is becoming more popular in these parts hence you can normally explore the area of an organized tour if you wish.

The valley is actually protected and on the UNESCO World Heritage list, a sign perhaps on its natural beauty and the need to protect this area.

You will meet the locals as you walk around the valley and what can strike you, is how little these people have and how basic their homes and lives appear to be, compared for example to a typical home and lifestyle in the UK or USA.

The people seem happy and are very welcoming and it is a humbling experience to spend time in the Viñales Valley, from a cultural point of view.

If you really want to understand Cuba then I strongly recommend allowing one or two days to explore the Viñales Valley area because this will give you a very different experience from the overly touristic beaches in areas such as Varadero and from the capital Habana.

Consider also doing either a bicycle or horseback trip around the area (you can rent either) and do one of the half-day organized tours.

You might want to consider hiring a local guide to get a personalized tour of the area. I would recommend staying at least overnight rather than doing a day trip from Havana.

The area of Viñales Valley is simply too beautiful not to spend at least two days and there are some hotels in this area.