Viñales: Nature and Cuban traditions

Those who prefer nature tourism will find in the Valley of Viñales, in Pinar del Río, a unique par excellence example of this option in Cuba.

The Valley of Viñales located in the province of Pinar del Río, Cuba’s western-most region, in the Sierra de los Órganos, precisely in the Cordillera de Guaniguanico National Park, was declared in December 1999 a World Heritage site by UNESCO. in the category of Cultural Landscape.

Some 190 kilometers from Havana, the valley, declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, in the category of Cultural Landscape, which includes among its attractions three hotels able to satisfy the most demanding tastes: Los Jazmines, La Ermita and Rancho San Vicente.

All three offer visitors comfortable accommodations amidst an exceptional landscape, where unique natural assets merge with environmental conservation and agricultural work such as, tobacco cultivation.

Created in 1960, an initiative of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, the Ermita and Los Jazmines were completely refurbished in 1994, in order to increase their capacity given the destination’s growing popularity.

In addition, Rancho San Vicente, nestled in the valley, has 50 cabins. and medicinal baths - popular among tourists - are located close by.

In each hotel activities designed to be enjoyed by tourists in a healthy environment far removed from urban centers, include visits to famous sites such as the Mural de la Prehistoria, la Cueva del Indio, María la Gorda beach and trips to Levisa and Jutías Keys.

Tourists from Germany, Britain, France and Spain, some of the Cuba’s principal tourist markets, are the main visitors to Viñales. In addition to thousands of Cubans who also visit the area.