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    • Vinales Valley

    Vinales Valley travel guide

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    Overview

    A recent addition to the UNESCO World Heritage list, the town and valley of Vinales are found in the green province of Pinar del Rio. It's characterised by impressive round-topped hills called mogotes, dating back to the Jurassic period and covered with rich and varied vegetation. They are thought to be remnants of the plateau that was eroded by a network of underground rivers millions of years ago.

    The Vinales Valley is located about 112 miles (180km) west of Havana, making it a good day-trip destination or weekend getaway. The valley is beautiful, a patchwork of nature's bounty mixed with green fields of tobacco, coffee and other crops that grow out of the rich red earth. Scattered palm trees and pine forests shelter a variety of melodious birds, while the region is also a magnet for speleologists and cave enthusiasts with its abundance of limestone caves and caverns.

    The hilly landscape, quaint villages, oxen-ploughed fields, rustic barns and underground cave systems and rivers, provide a striking contrast to the faded colonial grandeur and white sandy beaches found on the rest of the island. The main valley village is Vinales, a charming and laid-back place that makes a good base for exploring the lovely countryside.

    Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás

    The Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás are situated about 10 miles (16km) west of Viñales. With more than 29 miles (46km) of underground galleries spanning eight different levels, it's Cuba's largest cave system and one of the most important in South America. Fantastical limestone formations, glittering stalactites and stalagmites, underground lakes and vast caverns reveal themselves by the light of headlamps. Amateur spelunkers will probably be limited to just two levels, with entrances to them semi-hidden on a forested slope overlooking the valley and providing wonderful vantage points for views and photographs.

    Address: El Moncada, 11 miles (17km) west of Vinales village
    Santo Tomas caves Santo Tomas caves Judith Duk
    Cueva del Indio

    Located in the Viñales Valley, the 27 miles (45km) of the Cueva del Indio is a magical place. In addition to the caves, the area provides some great family activities such as hiking and climbing, as well as some gorgeous rock pools for swimming in the bright green water. The caves are named for the indigenous Guanajatabey, who carved shelters into the limestone rock to hide from Spanish colonialists. Some of their bones were unearthed in the cave system and their art is still visible on the walls. Children will love the boat ride across the underground lake in the cave, and discovering the stalactites, stalagmites and petroglyphs.

    Cueva del Indio Cueva del Indio Dainis Matisons
    Viñales Botanical Garden

    The Viñales Botanical Garden ranks highly among things to see and do in Viñales, partly because it is refreshingly intimate and unspoilt by tourists. Originally cultivated to preserve samples of indigenous tropical plants, the garden is a riot of colour and tempered jungle which delights travellers of all ages. Gardeners are available to show you around and teach you about all the different species of plants, which makes for a lovely, personal experience. Roosters and chickens roam freely in the sprawling garden and there are lots of lizards and birds to marvel at too. Entrance is free but small donations are expected, particularly if you've taken a tour.

    Vinales Valley Vinales Valley Judith Duk

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    The glorious landscapes are the primary attraction of Vinales Valley. The prehistoric-looking valley, with its odd round hills (magotes) and bright orange soil visible among the striking greenery makes the area a unique and absorbing destination for travellers in Cuba.

    For a more authentic and intimate experience, tourists should avoid the tour buses and get a local guide to show them around the tobacco farms, caves and sites such as the Prehistoric Mural. Walks organised by the municipal museum allow locals to explain and show the ancient farming techniques still used by local farmers, while there is also a hop-on hop-off bus for tourists that stops at all the main attractions in Vinales Valley.

    One of the most popular things to do in Vinales is to visit the extensive and highly impressive cave systems, such as the fantastical Cueva Del Indio and the Gran Caverna De Santo Tomas. The unspoilt and authentic feel of these subterranean treasures is evident from the lack of colourful lighting or superficial decorations that so often detract from the majesty and mystery of these underground worlds.

    A quick stroll down the quaint main road of the village shows visitors just how small the village is, but there are a handful of things to see and do in Vinales. The privately-owned botanical garden, Jardin de las Hermanas Caridad y Carmen Miranda, is a delight, while the Centro Cultural Polo Montanez is great fun for some salsa dancing, live shows and a few tasty mojitos.

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