Quote — Henry Ford

Logo Cubacasas

Mogotes, Parque, Iglesia © Caroline Glasius-Nyborg  •]• The valley, the casa and the mogotes © Agripp, Belgique
OUR CASA LIST BEGINS HERE PROVINCE MAP HERE

This charming little village is nestled in the Sierra de los Organos, and was but a settlement during the Spanish colonial era. Although the village was founded in the 17th century, the mogotes, covered with vegetation and coral-reef like stones (very dangerous to slip on) were formed through erosion during the Jurassic era. Cuban climbers have been joined by colleagues from around the world to tackle these weird mounts, even though local authorities do not allow it as the climbers have to tramp on privately-owned farm land and, because of the high risks of accident.

The mogotes are present here in four major groups, named La Esmeralda, Dos Hermanas, Coco Solo and Del Valle. See map below.

The San Vicente region is spersed with caves : among others, Cueva del Indio, Cueva de San Miguel, El Palenque de los Cimarrones and world-renowned Caverna de Santo Tomás — with 50 km of tunnels, it is the largest in the country and second largest on the Continent.

Recently discovered, the stupendous caves of nearby
Sierra Guasasa where non-profit Pinar del Rio group Geda is pursuing its explorations.

The quiet commercial activity — and large cultural — activity borders
the main street, Cisneros, has a few colonial and columned edificios but the majority of dwellings are bungalows. There's a sense of environment protection here like nowhere else in the country. And, most important, little motor traffic. One of this webmaster's must-see places on the island.

The hundreds of
casas particulares - somesay 1,000 - here are most alike : we suggest some of the best below.

DISTANCES
Cabo San Antonio, 197
Cayo Jutias, 60
Cayo Levisa, 60
El Moncada, 17
La Habana, 188
La Palma, 25
Las Terrazas, 115
Maria la Gorda, 178
Minas de Matahambre,
Pinar del Rio, 25
Puerto Esperanza, 20
San Diego/Los Baños, 46
San Juan y Martinez, 47
Santa Lucia, 43
Soroa, 127

 

MAPA pinar del rio
MAPS & LINKS
Map - The town with casas
Map - Pinar del Rio province nearby - Tourist areas
Map - Viñales Valley with Tourist areas
Map - Walking tours in the valley
Map - Cordillera de Guaniguanico
Map - The coast from Cayo Jutias to Cayo Levisa
Map - The province from north to south coasts
Map - Large regional
Map - Parque Nacional Viñales
Loverly video on Vimeo - Cuba Climbing
Weather for Pinar del Rio
UNESCO - World Heritage File
Plants of Viñales - A pictorial guide
Mountain climbing blog - CubaClimbing
Circuits Oeste - Itins & Top Casas
Viazul bus schedule
Island-wide bus connections 
Naturarte — Cuban site of beauty in nature
Plants of Viñales — Hundreds, with photos
Cave exploring group Geda based in Pinar del Rio
Island-wide bus connections 
All that's natural in Pinar del Rio province

All the Web particuba.net

POPULATION 27,579 (2007)

PALADARES
Finca agroecologica El Paraiso, 1,5 km from town, on Carretera El Cementerio « It's a lovely organic farm on a hill with incredible views of the 'silencio' valley. Their bio food is top-notch, and Rachel uses some Indian spices in a few dishes, too. We all (family of 3) loved it here. Friendly, warm people, interesting farm to visit, and those views! » Laurie McL59, tripad, Sept. 2014; others are also casas particulares, such as DOS QUE TRES, calle Adela Azcuy 22, e/Rafael Trejo y Camilo Cienfuegos - Chef El Puma (Jose Luis) started cooking in Jan 2019. Worth a try.

RESTAURANTS
Bar Las Brisas (Cisneros 96), La Casa de Don Tomás (Cisneros 140), El Palenque de los Cimarrones, La Casa del Veguero, Las Magnolias, La Terrazza of Hotel La Ermita (nice place, tempting pool), Carreta San Vicente (cabins for rent), Vera (Hotel Los Jazmines) and more, like : Patio del Decimista, Mar Magico, La Pimienta, La Cueva, Carreta de Juanry, La VI Ermita.

EVENINGS
Centro Polo Montañez and
Casa de la Cultura (both on main square)
El Palenque de los Cimarrones (cave outside of town) and three neighboring bars on main street including
El Patio del Decimista : 3 live bands playing at the same time. Did U say cacofonico ?

EXCURSIONS
Las Terrazas, departs 7h30, Rancho Curujey, arr. Soroa 11h, returns 15h

Cayo Levisa, departs 8h, returns 19h; including 30 mins. in a very slow boat (at normal speed, should take 8 mins.) By 9-psgr minibus, 25cuc including lunch, 34cuc including fins & mask, 25 more for scuba. Or drive to Palma Rubia, 60km north on the coast and take the 10am boat, 10cuc pp, return at 17h00; local private taxis will get you to the dock and come back for pick-up at 17h (the only return boat time) for 50-60cuc for the car, return. (48) 75-65-01

Maria la Gorda, 25cuc. Book through Havanatur or Cubanacan, beside the libreria (some books in English), facing Parque Marti

Cayo Jutias beach on north coast, 60 km northwest via Minas de Matahambre and scenic mountain road. Access by pedraplen, entry fee 5cuc : just a regular beach (and some more, deserted, walking west), scuba rental and bar-rest'rant; local private taxis will do it for 50-60cuc for the car, return. (48) 77-8131 or take a bus day tour for 22 cuc: departs 9 am, includes lunch and comes back at 16h00 with 5 hours beach time.

Cabo San Antonio : its wooden villas (75$ per night, double), marina, lighthouse, all in a Biosphere Reserve at the extreme very, very end of Cuba, some 200 km from here. Our page

TRANSPORT
Trains from La Habana "El Lechero" (the Milk Run #225) leaves La Habana at 22h05 every 2nd day arriving Pinar del Rio at 03h50 then hitch (if u can find) a taxi ride to here or overnight; returns (#224) leaves Pinar del Rio at 09h45 arriving Havana at 15h30.

Local private taxis (now legal with new permits) can take you to Cayo Jutias or Cayo Levisa (Palma Rubia), wait for you and return here for 50-60cuc for the car : up to you to find other pax. Also Pinar del Río 10CUC, Palma Rubia 25CUC (for daytrip to Cayo Levisa), Caverna Santo Tomás, 16CUC

Scooters for rent right by the Don Tomas restaurant (see map) on main street; Transtur also rents near church.

PLAYAS
Cayo Jutias (60 km), Cayo Levisa (50 km), Cabo San Antonio (197 km), Maria la Gorda (178 km)

RIVER SWIM In rio Resvaloso near Cueva de la Vaca (ask around, everyone knows, Cubans abound in summer).

CONECTANDO CUBA BUS


From Havana's major hotels (Zona 3 Vieja, Zona 2 Vedado, Zona 1 Miramar)
a daily aircon bus leaves between 8h and 8h40, goes through Pinar del Rio then here at the Vinales church plaza at 12h40 after Hotel Jazmines 12h30, then to hotels Ermita and Rancho San Vicente at 12h50 and 13h10.

Return trip leaves Ermita and San Vicente hotels at 14h stops at the Vinales plaza at 14h15 Pinar 15h40, and Havana's Miramar hotels at 18h10, Vedado hotels 18h30 and Hotel Inglaterra at 19h. Sked & rates here.


67 seconds on main street Salvador Cisneros a continuous traveling on main street - video © sogestour


Twice per day, a Viazul bus goes from Havana and back - via Pinar del Rio. Call it Ruta 10 (Roota Diez) — Click for sked on Viazul site, Fred.


Cuban scientist Humberto Rios Labrada was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize ("the Ecology Nobel Prize") for his research on seeds, went to Bolivia in 2014 to teach and moved to Spain in 2015 to bring his expertise there too ! © Will Parrinello

Church park in town center © sogestour
The palm and the cross © sogestour | Same park in centre, otra vista © sogestour

Valle de Viñales by Giora Szabo

Valle de Viñales © Giora Szabo | Campesinos walking a field © sogestour

Josue Millo is getting a buzz on a rock face (ruta) named « Bee Factory » © cubaclimbing.com — Click •|• Halfway between here and Cayo Levisa, the village of La Palma where Humberto (top photo) and local farmers proved that they could do without deadly pesticides © Robin Thom, Flickr
Josue Millo
is getting a buzz on a rock face (ruta) named « Wasp Factory » © cubaclimbing.com — Click ••• See this enlargement of Reiniel Sosa here |Halfway between here and Cayo Levisa, the village of La Palma © Robin Thom Photography


Three chicas with an irresistible smile : are country youngsters more luminous than city kids ? © clapat, Flickr

The exquisite valle © sogestour
The mogotes as only
angels and drones can see them © Unseen Cuba / Marius Jovasa | Mural de la Prehistoria © viaggiliberi


The Che's
Cueva de la Comandancia © sogestour | View of the valley from legendary spot Los Acuaticos © sogestour


Minas de Matahambre
(32 km northwest) welcomed immigrants from Haiti, China, Spain, the USA, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Brazil and especially Japan. There are still 1,000 Cubans of Japanese descendency on the island.Research by Nelia Maria Paez Vives and Lic Omar Miranda Barbosa.

Vimeo Video A convincing 2-min. argument by renan ozturk
Video to convince local authorities they should give full support to mogote-climbing. A convincing 2-min. argument by renan ozturk on Vimeo here. A fabulous 17-min. HD work of art & physical feat by Ms Paige Claassen here.


"An amazing family-run organic farm & restaurant on top of a hill with amazing sunset views" : Finca agroecologica is recommended by all including Beth B from Chester Springs, PA on tripad 160814


BOOK DIRECT📱BY WHATSAPP - FREE
From anywhere in the world using the free whatsapp app on a cell phone connected to wifi; list the casa name and its cell number in your contacts; then go to whatsapp and add the contact and call. From anywhere else in Cuba, dial the 8 digits of the cell. Avoid roaming : get a Cuban Sim card ready on arrival. Google translate here.

BOOK BY EMAIL :
Click on logo to open a message addressed to that casa in your email application; or right-click to copy address. Spanish vocabulary here. Google translate here.
HOP-ON & OFF
Transtur Viñales Hop-on, Hop-off ©
Daily town tour & run with 9 departures between 9h and 19h.

Unlimited use for the day with 18 stops.

Booking offices by the iglesia; tel (48) 79-6060.

 

VIAZUL BUSSES
Facing the small central park with its church at 63 Salvador Cisneros (main calle) Tel. (48) 79-3195



TAXI RATES
Pinar del Río 10CUC, Palma Rubia 25CUC (for daytrip to Cayo Levisa), Caverna Santo Tomás, 16CUC
 
VIAZUL
FROM LA HABANA

daily departures at 9h (via Las Terrazas) and 14h30 (via Pinar del Rio) arrives here at 17h55  (12 cuc)

RETURN TRIP
Departs 8h via Pinar arr Havana 11h15 or 14h via Pinar del Rio,  arr La Habana 18h05 (12 cuc)

PUERTO ESPERANZA
Shared cab in pesos cubanos by the Servi-Cupet gas station village. Spot the man in yellow.
VINALES -
TRINIDAD

Departs 6h45 from Viñales to Pinar del Rio then Cienfuegos and arrives Trinidad at 16h35

CUBATAXI
Départure Viñales for Cienfuegos and Trinidad (20cuc per person in a shared cab or minibus). Drops you off at your casa avoiding bus station.

This is a tourist-filled boat coming out of Cueva del Indio © Elk/Getty Images

This is a beauty-filled panorama of the valley © clothilde g, tripad visor, jan 2020

WIFI ZONES, MASSAGES & DINERO CHANGE : WHAT ELSE U WANT ?
Wifi zones all along main street Cisneros, some casas such as La Nena, Villa Irure and others have Internet in-house. Etecsa office sells wifi cards daily from 8h30 to 19h30 Centro Multiservicios (Calle G. Fernández No. 3 e/ S. Cisneros y R. Trejo) A professional massage ? Yesss ! Ask Ariel Herrera Barrios, offering massages locally since 2007 for men and women. Rates : 20 cuc back and neck 30 mins, 30cuc one hour (back, neck and reflexolology). Cel. 53 31 17 77 Will go to your casa; e-mail > @. Cadeca (money exchange, Cisneros 92 Tel 79-6334) Havanatur (48) 79-6161 or 79-6262 Cubanacan (48) 79-639

Top of page

Speleo pour grandes et petites grottes

Escalandero

Randonnées dans la vallée
]• CAVE (CUEVA/CAVERNA) EXPLORE [
The most famous is by far (15 km west of town) Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas, 45 km of meanderings underground - but you can only discover 1 km of these. Sorry, not sorry ; - ). 
[ Hard to get to but most refreshing is La Cueva del Palmarito (with swim hole), a 10k trek or horseback ride from town. [  Another cave where you can ride a boat is Cueva del Indio, on the road to Puerto Esperanza. [ Other caverns and caves, couloirs and passages can be found in the Sierra Guasasa : two of the top cuevas in the country are here : Geda — 5 km long — discovered in 1998 or El Panal discovered in 2001, 1,5 km in length; some photos on Antonio Danieli's Facebook page here
[  A reminder for fans of the lost stalagtite or recovered stalagmite : tite goes down, mite goes up ; -)

]• CLIMBING, ESCALADA [
To get a first look at local rock faces (rutas) on the mogotes, consult Campismo Dos Hermanas tel. (48) 79-3223 which can organize outings or « escalamiento de montañas ». Rutas with evocative names : Don Cojete de la Mancha, El Cubano de Regresa or our favorite : Mujer, Peligro y Placer (« Woman, Danger, Pleasure ») [ Some local climbing paths (rutas) in Viñales here. [Article about Yarobis Garcia in Havana Times March 2018 here Cuba Climbing, the film by Ms Paige Claassen with Yarovis Garcia, edited by Adam Ermatinger (on Vimeo) here. [ Best climbing guide on the area dates from 2009 (but the mogotes have not moved, eh ?) here. It's authored by Anibal Fernandez & Armando Menocal and is still available for purchase - from Quickdraw Publications

]• CANOPY TOUR/ZIPLINE [
Simply named Canopy Tour El Fortin. "For those who want to get their adrenaline pumping, this is a must-do. It's located very close (7 km) to town center. Guides are very friendly, two lines to chose from; Mirador nearby from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the valley." 8 cuc pp. Taxi one way 5cuc or rent a bike. Cel 53 98 89 75
À cheval ou à pied, mémé La belle terre rouge
Un arbre et son mogote CANOPY TOUR / ZIPLINE
Cuba2017GoProHDHavTriVinCayLev-wndotcom



Click for the whole enchilada
]• THE JURASSIC MOGOTES [
The mogotes, covered with vegetation and coral-reef like stones were formed through erosion during the Jurassic eraThey are present in four major groups. East (left) of the Puerto Esperanza road are Mogote del Valle and Dos Hermanas, and west (right) of the road : Coco Solo and La Esmeralda, all four shown on the enlarged map at left.

]• NATURE WALKS, COWBOY TALKS [
Some easy ones, available with guides : del Mirador al Valle (from the outlook down to the valley, 4 hours) ] de la Mano del Campesino (from the hands of the farmer, 4 hours) ] en el Corazon del Valle (in the heart of the Valley, 4 hours) ] visita a la Casa Campesina (visit to a country home, 1 hour) ] Paseo artistico de taller (local visit to three artists, 2-3 hours); all can be done also on horseback; your casa will show you where to get on the saddle. Some guide / caballeros / cowboys speak some Ingles, como no !

[To join such walks, go to Museo Adela Azcuy, calle Salvador Cisneros (main street), open every day 9-15h.


] WALKS FROM LOCAL HOTELS [
Tradiciones Campesinas (Country Traditions) —7 km, 7 hours) ] Del Infierno al Paraíso (From Hell to Heaven — very hard - 8,6 km, 6-7 hours) ] Los Paisajes en al Valle (Scenery in the Valley — 7,6 km, 4 hours) ] De la Mano del Guajiro (From the countryman's hand — 4 km, 3 hours) List here.
 
Always Book Directly with the Casa
CAMILO CIENFUEGOS
Top of page
LA NENA
Three aircon bedrooms, ensuites, terrace, patio
Camilo Cienfuegos 56, 600m from town center e/ Sergio Dopico y C. Maragoto Tel. (48) 69-69-38. whatsapp +5352487019

LA NENA © sogestour

 
TOMAS y YOLANDA
Two aircon bedrooms, ensuites, patio
Camilo Cienfuegos 52, 600m from town center entre Sergio Dopico y C. Maragoto. Tel. (48) 69-69-31

CASA TOMAS Y YOLANDA © SOGESTOUR
JUANKA y YUDY
Two aircon bedrooms, ensuites, patio
Camilo Cienfuegos 57, 600m from town center e/ Sergio Dopico y C. Maragoto. Tel. (48) 69-5358 whatsapp +5355 45 01 52

JUANKA Y YUDY
MARITZA y TATO
Two indep ac bedrooms, ensuites, patio
Camilo Cienfuegos 42A , 600m from town center e/ Sergio Dopico y C. Maragoto. Tel. (48) 69-5247

MARITZA Y TATO
SALOMÉ
Two aircon bedrooms, ensuites, patio
Camilo Cienfuegos 60-B, 600m from town center e/ Sergio Dopico y C. Maragoto. Tel. (48) 69-6920, whatsapp +5355461451

SOLEIL DE SALOMÉ
 
LA GUZMAN V
Two aircon bedrooms, ensuites, patio
Camilo Cienfuegos 60, 600m from town center e/ Sergio Dopico y C. Maragoto. Tel. (48) 79-3245

LA GUZMAN
YAKELIN V
Two aircon bedrooms, ensuites, patio
Camilo Cienfuegos , 600m from town center e/ Sergio Dopico y C. Maragoto. whatsapp +5353715617

YAKELIN
 
LOS COSMITOS
Two aircon bedrooms, ensuites, patio
Sergio Dopico 9A, 600m from town center e/ Camilo Cienfuegos y Rafael Trejo. Tel. (48) 79-3285 whatsapp +5353642613
ADELA AZCUY NORTE- to the valley
Top of page
MILEYDIS
Three aircon br's, ensuites, views
Adela Azcuy Norte 11, past the estadio de beisbol, down the street, 700m from Parque central. whatsapp +5353365402

CASA CAMPO MILEYDIS FEITO © SOGESTOUR
 
EL CAFETAL
Two aircon bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms
Adela Azcuy Norte Final s/n : sin numero, passed the estadio de beisbol, 650m from Parque central. whatsapp +5353311752

VILLA EL CAFETAL © SOGESTOUR
CABANA MANZANA
Three indep ac br's, ensuites, open field views
Adela Azcuy Norte, past the estadio de beisbol, down the hill, 650m from Parque central. Tel (48) 69-5674 whatsapp +5353311843

Cabana Manzana
TATICA y EL CHINO V
One aircon br, ensuite bath, mountain view
Adela Azcuy Norte Final #61a, passed the beisbol stadium, steps from the entrance to the valley of mogotes..whatsapp +5352453116 or whatsapp +5353030649

ORLANDO y JUANA V
Upstairs, two ac bedrooms, terraces, views
Adela Azcuy Norte 34, passed the campo de beisbol and close to a walking path. whatsapp +5352238910

ORLANDO y YUANA
VLAD y GLAD + MILA y YAMI V
Five indep ac br's, ensuites in two casas
Adela Azcuy 10 and 10-A, Tel. (48) 69-6587, cel 53 37 39 11 Mila y Yami (48) 69-5678, whatsapp +5353311915

VLADIMIR y GLADYS

 
NILDA
Two ac bedrooms, ensuites
Orlando Nodarse 39, entre Sergio Dopico y Adela Azcuy, uptown. Tel (48) 69-6891 whatsapp +5353311862

LUCILO y NIRMA V
One ac bedroom, 2 double beds, ensuite bath
Pasaje Camilo Cienfuegos #52, uptown. Tel. (48) 69-6657

Lucilo y Nirma © sogestour
 
Top of page
GISSELLE y RANDY
One indep aircon br, ensuite
Rafael Trejo 9-A, Interior, 500m from center, near Servi-Cupet gas station and Jardin Botanico. Tel. (48) 69-6746, whatsapp +5353989948 or whatsapp +5355460807


 
IRURE
Two ac bedrooms, ensuites, shaded patio
Rafael Trejo Este 10B al final de la calle (at the end of this dead-end street) near Servi-Cupet gas station and Jardin Botanico. Tél. (48) 69 69 05 whatsapp +5352409967

PAPO y NIULVYS V
One ac bedroom, 2 double beds, ensuite bath
Rafael Trejo 18, e/ Mariana Grajales y Joaquin Perez, two blocks from the Viazul bus stop. Tel. (48) 69-6714

www.cubacasas.net •|• Viñales ::: CASA PAPO y NIULVYS
 
EL BALCON V
Upstairs, four ac bedrooms, ensuites, views
Rafael Trejo 48-A upstairs, e/ Joaquin Perez y C. Fernandez, one block from Parque central. Tel. (48) 69-6725 whatsapp +5352714699

EL CORAL V
Three aircon bedrooms, ensuites
Joaquin Perez 25, e/ Camilo Cienfuegos, near calle A, three blocks from Parque. Tel (48) 79-3217 whatsapp +5352926413


 
CATALINA
Two aircon bedrooms, ensuites, valley view
Calle Segunda pasaje 7 número 8, reparto El Bostezo, overlooking the valley. Tel (48) 69-5571 or (48) 64-6145

MAIN STREET CISNEROS Top of page
AMARILIS LEÓN + PALADAR V
Three ac bedrooms (2 upstairs), ensuites, patio
Salvador Cisneros 75, entre Adela Azcuy y Ceferino Fernández, 50 m from the Plaza principal. Tel (48) 79-6281


 
NENITA + PALADAR
Five aircon bedrooms, ensuites, pool
Salvador Cisneros Int. 61, like a mini-hotel, valley view behind the Policlinico. Tel. (48) 79-60-04

CASA NENITA © SOGESTOUR
VILLA YOLANDA
One indep ac bedroom, 2 double beds, ensuite

Salvador Cisneros 186, entrance of village, in front of local bus stop on road to Mural de la Prehistoria. Tel (48) 79-3208


 
RIDEL y CLARIBEL V
Two independent aircon br's, ensuite baths
Salvador Cisneros # 203-C, behind feria & mercado. Tel. (48) 69-5127 whatsapp +5358 23 36 77 (You may book via SMS)

OTHER CASAS IN AND AROUND TOWN : CLICK THE PIX

Logo Cubacasas
 

Content & photos © sogestour

Top of page

Updated 14.04.2023

 
Always Book Directly with the Casa