Great Destinations

Valle de Viñales in Pinar del Rio

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Located 3 hours by car southwest of Havana is the Valle de Viñales in Pinar del Rio Province. This verdant green valley with striking red soil is a popular rural side trip.  Most often our clients choose this as a day-trip from Havana, but some do choose to stay overnight. Havana VIP has a network of the best licensed B & B Casa Particulares throughout Cuba.

For tobacco aficionados, this 130 square kilometers of the Valle de Viñales in Pinar del Rio Province is a kind of holy land where what have been traditionally regarded as the world’s best cigars are born. The tropical landscape is ranked by many as one of Cuba’s most beautiful vistas where the unique mogotes, unique flat-topped shear walled rock mounts interrupt the valley floor. The most famous sites here are the Cueva del Indio (Indian Caves) complex, popular with tour busses, the Palenque de los Cimarrones where run-away African slaves created a “free” town in another cave, and the Mirador a hilltop vista point to take-in the view of the entire valley.

Havana VIP’s Tobacco Plantation Experience, for those interested either in agriculture or tobacco (or both) is so far off-the-beaten-track that the only way to get there is by horseback, or even ox-cart. You’ll meet the country people (affectionately called Guajiros) learn about Cuba’s rural lifestyle, the tobacco cultivation process, and the various leaves that are selected for different types of cigars.  Many Havana VIP travelers often choose to add our exclusive Fiesta Campesina Experience to round out the day with a country-style party featuring a fire roasted pig (other options available) with rice, beans, tamales and all the side dishes along with live music just for you.  Clients have been known to stretch the Fiesta way way after-hours depending on whether there’s rum involved.