Pinar del Río, what you came for
The westernmost province of Cuba is a short and highly enjoyable drive from Havana. The air gets fresher as you move closer, alongside the Guaniguanico Mountains. This region, also known as Vueltabajo, is home to the best tobacco in the world, famously nice people and the astounding valley of Viñales. Maybe – just maybe- this is exactly what you came to Cuba for.

Sarah Foda
Sales & Travel Design
+1 305 508 4424
sales.cu@caribbeantours-usa.com
5 days / 4 nights
Destinations: Pinar del Río, Viñales
Operated in: English, Spanish
STAY AT CASAS PARTICULARES (PRIVATELY OWNED ACCOMMODATIONS)
EAT AT PALADARES (PRIVATELY OWNED RESTAURANTS)
LEARN ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT OF WORLD HERITAGE SITES
MEET AN HOMBRE HABANO
SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION INITIATIVES BY LOCALS
- Arrive in Havana.
- Transfer to Pinar del Río city.
- Check in at your casa particular Rabanal
- Time at leisure. Choose to spend your evening strolling down the Calle Real to take in city icons, such as the Milanés Theater, shooting set of the famous Cuban film La bella del Alhambra; and the eclectic gem Palacio de Guasch, today the Natural History Museum of the province. Dining options include Café Ortúzar, an intimate bar & restaurant managed by the family of Hombre Habano, Rogelio Ortúzar.
- Visit a private workshop of humidors, a piece of artwork that epitomizes the remarkable art talent of the people of Pinar del Río and the hallmark product of the province: tobacco.
- Continue for Quemado del Rubí, one of the top tobacco farms in Cuba. Meet the owner of the vega, Héctor Luis, who is the youngest producer in Cuba to have received the Hombre Habano distinction. Mr. Luis will walk you through the entire process of production of the best tobacco in the world.
- A typical lunch at the farm will be offered, as well an authentic puro, which seems only fitting.
- Proceed to Viñales. En route, stop at the lookout point Los Jazmines to appreciate the stunning Viñales Valley with its distinctive limestone outcrops or mogotes.
- Arrive at your casa particular Marilyn.
- Rest of the evening at leisure. You will be able to explore the picturesque town of Viñales and its people, who have transformed the urban scene through a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit. In fact, with the surge of privately owned restaurants or paladares, you will have quite the choice to make deciding where to dine.
- After a scenic tour through icons like San Vicente Ranch, the Indian Cave and the Palenque de los Cimarrones, trek by the lush greenery and cultivated fields of Palmarito Valley. Appreciate the unique flora and fauna, the mogotes and the farmers who use the land to produce through traditional methods and rustic tools. Enjoy a short break at the house of a campesino, where you can taste fresh fruits, honey and try a shot of a local spirit called Guayabita del Pinar. Look forward to a candid conversation about his work and life.
- After the trek, lunch courtesy of Alberto Vitamina, a singular local farmer with a keen creole sense of humor. Your host rose to notoriety selling fruits, his trademark being his loquaciousness with guests. But you came here to eat, and that you will do delightfully.
- Rest of the afternoon at leisure.
- Dinner on own at a local paladar.
- In the evening, mingle with locals at the park in the heart of the town. Enjoy the music coming out of Casa de Polo, a cultural centre named after the late folk musician Polo Montañez, the “Guajiro Natural” (Proud Farmer); a true local hero whose meteoric career what cut short by an untimely car accident in 2003.
- In the morning, visit Raíces (Roots), the home-studio of Noel Díaz Galart. The path taken to the artistic realization by this guajiro, as he proudly dubs himself, has been far from conventional. With no formal artistic formation, the “man of the wooden sculptures” has been able to create an amazing body of work on sculpture and has also expanded into other forms of arts. His project revolves around our debt with the environment, and has had a remarkably positive impact on the community.
- Visit the Mural de la Prehistoria and join Nidia Cabrera Huerta for lunch, the UNESCO representative for the management of the World Heritage Site. Enjoy a fascinating discussion about the management of World Heritage Sites, and the efforts to preserve the values that made Viñales worthy of that category.
- Dinner at Finca Paraíso, an ecological restaurant that utilizes fresh, organic ingredients and eco-friendly products. Meet the charismatic owner, Rachel, and learn about the bigger project of sustainable agriculture the restaurant is part of while admiring the sun sinking into the Silence Valley.
- Rest of the evening at leisure.
Transfer to the José Martí International Airport.
Departures
Private tours are available all year round.
Conditions
Please check Caribbean Tours USA Booking Conditions.
CONTACT
24/7
+1 305 508 4424
sales.cu@caribbeantours-usa.com
Included
- Roundtrip in air-conditioned vehicle with chauffeur.
- Excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees according to the program.
- During the roundtrip (days 1 - 5) English-speaking Cuban guide.
- 4 overnight stays at the mentioned accommodations.
- 4 breakfast, 3 lunches and 1 dinner as specified in the program.
Not included
- All meals and drinks not mentioned in the program.
- Personal expenses and tips.
How this toursupport to Cuban people?

Full Time Itineraries

Stay at Casas Particulares (B&B)

Eat at Paladares (Private Restaurants)
