Parque Nacional de Viñales

Visit Parque Nacional de Viñales and enjoy one of the most spectacular landscapes in all of Cuba

Parque Nacional de Viñales
© seonsalaisuus

The Parque Nacional de Viñales, (Viñales National Park), also known as Valle de Viñales, is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in all of Cuba.

Valle de Viñales
© Visitar Cuba

A valley declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, it is an impressive and exclusive landscape located in the Sierra de los Órganos, where you can see the famous mogotes, small limestone mountains with rounded tops, a perfect place if you are a climbing enthusiast or if you want to see the emblematic Cuban tobacco plantations.

Viñales has the best example of a karstic valley on the island. This remarkable landscape originated during the Cretaceous period, some 100 million years ago. Since then, water has shaped the rock, both on the surface and in the subsoil, forming a characteristic terrain with large caves and the mogotes themselves, which are one of its main features. A large part of these caves ended up collapsing, leaving only the characteristic worn-out walls that can be seen today. Here is the Great Cavern of Santo Tomás, the largest cave system in all of Cuba.

Page Index

What are the best plans to make in Viñales National Park, Cuba?
How to get to Viñales National Park, Cuba?
Where to stay in Viñales National Park?

The best plans to make in Parque Nacional de Viñales. Cuba

Mural de la Prehistoria, Valle de Viñales
© Tai Pan of HK

Viñales National Park offers many activities to do in a unique natural environment in Cuba. Surrounded by the characteristic mogotes, isolated and flat-shaped mountains, you will be able to explore the native fauna and flora of the area, such as the “macho pine and the mazorquilla". Also, you can find a prehistoric plant, declared National Monument, the cork palm.

Cuban tobacco plantations, Valle de Viñales
© Christian Schmidt

Apart from the vegetation, Valle de Viñales is an ideal place if you like potholing. You can discover spectacular caves such as the Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás (Great Cavern of Saint Thomas), the largest cave system in Cuba. It was declared a National Monument due to the incredible stalagmites and stalactites that have been formed over thousands of years. In Cueva del Indio (Indio Cave) you will feel like a real explorer, since the only way to cross it is by boat. If you want to learn about the terrible history of the Runaway, slaves who had managed to escape, Cueva de San Miguel (St. Michael's Cave) is your destination. Here you can see a depiction of their life, and you can also taste typical food in the restaurant at the entrance.

Mirador de los Jazmines
© Guillaume Baviere

Undoubtedly, something you cannot miss if you visit the Valle de Viñales is the Mural de la Prehistoria (Prehistoric Mural), occupying a slope of the well-known Pita mogote, a representation of the evolutionary process of the Sierra de los Órganos. It was painted by the muralist Leovigildo González Morillo for five years.

The area of Viñales is the largest producer of tobacco in all of Cuba, so you can't miss out on one of its many factories. There you will not only visit the plantations but also learn the whole process that goes into making the famous Havana cigars. One of the best known is the Casa del Veguero.

Finally, if you are looking for a place to contemplate the whole valley and enjoy the mogotes in all their splendour, the Mirador de Los Jazmines (Jazmines Viewpoint), if you get there at sunset you will have unforgettable views.

How to get to Parque Nacional de Viñales, Cuba?

Parque Nacional de Viñales(Viñales National Park) is very close to the capital of the province, Viñales, and to the capital of Cuba, Havana, so it's a good stop-off when you get to the island.

To get there you have several options, you can go with a tour from Havana that visits the Valle de Viñales(Viñales Valley) and places like the Palenque de los Cimarrones, the Casa del Veguero, theMural de la Prehistoria (Prehistoric Mural), the Cueva del Indio(Indio Cave), among others. You can also go in a shared or private taxi from Viñales.

Where to Stay in Parque Nacional de Viñales?

This National Park is a protected area, so there are not many accommodation options. One of the best known hotels, because of the spectacular viewpoint nearby and to which it owes its name, is the Hotel los Jazmines. So a good option is to stay in Viñales and, from there, get to the Valley.

The most interesting option for accommodation is the casas particulares (private houses or accommodations) This way you can get to know the traditional way of life of the Cubans and learn about their culture first hand. Besides, they will be willing to help you and discover the best places to explore.

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