Viñales is located in the center of the province within the Sierra de los Órganos, with an approximate area of 100 km2. It is the ideal place to discover part of the enigma developed between the imposing vertical walls that surround its fertile valleys inside the mountain and its landscape is undoubtedly an idyllic vision, source of inspiration for painters, writers and poets.
As part of the Guaniguanico Range lies the Viñales Valley, declared in 1999 a National Park and, in December of that same year, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cultural Landscape. It also has the status of National Monument, and above all, the recognition of thousands of admirers who visit it every year. The traveler experiences unique emotions when visiting the Mural of Prehistory and the Archaeological Museum located in the Camping Dos Hermanas, nestled in the Valley of the same name. You are also surprised by the landscapes that you discover through hiking, horseback riding, excursions to cave systems such as the Great Cavern of Santo Tomás or the Cuevas del Indio and José Miguel. More recently the Canopy is practiced, a route on the top of the high pines that populate these valleys.
Viñales has a great floristic wealth that reaches the nine hundred and sixty species. Of these, three hundred and five are endemic. The most charismatic are: ceibon or drago (Bombax cosis cubensis), sawtooth (Gaussia princeps) (Thrinax morrisii), the beautiful mountain range (Spathelia brittonii) and cork palm (Microcyca calocoma), considered living fossil, More than 150 years old, declared "National Monument".
The fauna includes the Tocororo, Ruiseñor, Carpintero churroso (Colaptes fernandinae), Cartacuba, the Iguana (Leiocephalus macropus) and Majá de Santamaría and the mollusc Sachrysia guanensis, all these endemic species of our country.
Its great cave system is the second largest of America, which has called it "the capital of the Cuban Carso", very well represented by the princess of the Cuban caves, the Great Cave of Santo Tomas.
On the elevations around the valley, with panoramic views are two viewpoints: one at the Hotel Los Jazmines and another at the Hotel La Ermita. Both are real balconies to inspire energy, moments essential for an unforgettable mark, chosen for the most demanding visitor. It has the Visitors Center Viñales National Park. Tel: (53) 48 796143-44.
It stands out the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, declared a Biosphere Reserve since 1987, a category awarded by UNESCO. It treasures among its values, since 2001, a National Park that contains two Natural Reserves: Cabo Corrientes and El Veral, which in 1963 were declared as such. From there you can walk the trails Del Bosque al Mar, Cueva las Perlas and Excursion to Cabo de San Antonio. Spawning site of the 4 species of sea turtles reported in Cuba. It has the Visitors Center Guanahacabibes National Park located in La Bajada, Sandino.
Mil Cumbres with 17521 hectares, located in La Palma, is a Protected Area of Managed Resources. In its landscape appears as by magic, the cork palm (Microcycas calocoma) prehistoric plant whose rise goes back to the time of the dinosaurs, more than one hundred and fifty million years ago; When we enter to the forest, it impresses the largest number of endemic species of flora in Cuba by square kilometers, reaching the number of thirty-five types of plants within the forest of Cuabal. Tel: (53) 48 632058 / 632063
Outdoor Activities and Events
The Nature Tourism Agency Ecotur organizes the TURNAT International Event, the main event of nature tourism, which celebrated its X Edition in Pinar del Río in 2015 with a wide participation of various countries that love trekking, horseback riding, Potholing and other modalities.
The Habano Festival is an international event where experts and lovers of tobacco cultivation and processing take part. It is celebrated every year with specialized visits to the famous tobacco plantations of Vueltabajo.