Viñales

Viñales is a small and peaceful town located in the north-central part of Pinar del Río province, about 26 kilometers north of Pinar del Río city. It dates back to 1878 and was once home to a large population of runaway slaves. 

Not only is this Fidel Castro’s favorite part of Cuba, it’s also where they produce, what’s unquestionably, the finest tobacco in the world!

Nowadays there are an estimated 8,000 people engaged in growing tobacco here and (in true Cuban style) growing methods have remained unchanged for centuries. Tobacco processing is still done by hand using field workers and animal traction. There’s no fancy machinery here. Apparently, modern mechanical methods will reduce the quality of the tobacco, so the old ways have been preserved in order to create Cuba’s legendary cigars.

Viñales town is set amongst some of the most spectacular natural scenery in Cuba, with lush green valleys and magnificent landscapes. The world-famous Viñales Valley has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since November 1999. 

The town itself consists mainly of quaint one-story houses with grand colorful porches. Tourism is on the rise but Viñales still retains that distinctive Cuban old-world charm. 

A far cry from the hustle and bustle of Havana or some of the other Cuban cities, this sleepy little village, with its unique rustic charms, is the perfect Cuban Hideaway!