While Havana, with its grandiose architecture and vibrant culture, continues to be the number one place to visit for travelers to Cuba, taking a break from the city buzz will recharge your batteries and give you a broader scope of Cuba’s authentic experiences.
Let the sea breeze pamper your senses in Playas del Este or indulge your ecological side in Las Terrazas and Soroa. With so many great options less than an hour away from the Capitolio, Havana is the perfect base for a day trip filled with adventure.
Methods of payment for transportation vary depending on whether it’s private or state-run. For the Havana Bus Tour (to Playas del Este) and Viazul buses (to Viñales, Matanzas and Varadero), you’ll have to pay by credit card and will be charged in MLC, Cuba’s convertible currency, which has the same value as US dollars. Private taxis usually prefer foreign cash (euros are best). Agree on the currency and price before you start your journey.
1. Explore the beautiful landscapes of Viñales
Travel time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Viñales Valley, peppered with rare pin-cushion hills, is spectacular enough to warrant longer than a day trip if you have the time. The town is quaint in that ceramic-roof, cane-rocker-on-the-porch kind of way, and the hospitality of Cuban guajiros (countryfolk) is unsurpassed. Accept any invite to go horseback riding or hiking amid the oddly bulbous limestone mogotes (hills). Viñales becomes a rock climbing mecca from December through April. The A-frame structures covered in shaggy fronds you will see are drying houses for the world’s finest cigar tobacco, grown throughout this part of Pinar del Río province.
Los Jazmines is the perfect lookout point for some world-prize-worthy panoramic photos over Viñales Valley, but choose Balcón del Valle restaurant if you also fancy having lunch while overlooking the mogotes. For a friendly ambiance and freshly made cocktails, don’t miss Tres Jotas on Salvador Cisneros St, Viñales’ main road.
How to get to Viñales from Havana: Viñales is connected with Havana by daily Viazul buses. You can also book day trips at Havana’s hotels, most of which include lunch and added excursions, for around MLC$70 round trip. For more flexibility, rent a car or hire a taxi with…
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