If it's an enchanting village in Cuba, it's good. Viñales. It is hard not to succumb immediately to its crazy charm. Amazing and unique landscapes, a population that still lives at the pace of nature while welcoming tourists with open arms… These are all qualities that make the Viñales is an indispensable place for any visitor to Cuba.
A fantasy nature
Nestled in the heart of a beautiful valley with mysterious topography, Viñales overcomes. Wonderfully rounded green mountains come up on the horizon when you arrive in the village. We think we're dreaming because the particular shape of these mountains, we've never seen it. Yet, far from the mirage, this landscape is very real. And as proof: Viñales has been classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco because of its exceptional landscape.
The name of these unique mountains: the mogots. The term seems to be straight out of a science fiction film, but it actually refers to the period of Jurassic. These limestone hills are the remnant of sedimentary layers that have been eroded long. And these karst reliefs are sufficiently original to characterize to them Viñales…
The mogots are happy for hikers who can walk leisurely along trails with fabulous vegetation or discover caves as surprising as the Caverna of Santo Tomas, which offers the country's largest natural underground network.
Guajiros Village
Located in Pinar del Rio province, 3 hours from Havana, the village of Viñales is far from the city's urban agitation. Here, the inhabitants, live from the work of the land, at the rhythm of the seasons. They are guajiros, i. e. peasants. This ubiquitous rurality is often a source of malicious jokes on the part of the Havanese who have fun describing the inhabitants of Viñales as mere minds. We are so far from "the big city" in this village to unpaved streets where the kitrins, carrots mounted to horses, raise the way. dust on their passage while a pineapple salesman moves them to the corner of the street.
In Viñales, cattle are grown, fruit is grown and vegetables, sugar cane, but, above all, tobacco is grown. It is true that these are artisan plantations but they make it possible to produce good cigars, certainly far from the packaging of the Cohiba, but equally appreciable for the amateurs.After a horse ride, in the heart of the lush nature of the moguls, it is classic to be offered, by a guajiro, a freshly rolled cigar and a small cocktail rum in a coconut. A delicious moment that the epicureans in Cuba do not forget.
Genuine reception
To live well, farm incomes are not enough in Cuba. So many people in the village have naturally turned to tourism. In Viñales, nearly 500 houses are also used as a distinctive casas, i. e. guest houses. This housing formula is widespread in the country but it is really in Viñales that the concentration of this type of accommodation is most glaring.
Yet the village has passed the tower of strength not to fall into mercantilism. For about 20 euros at night, a double room with individual bathroom is available to visitors. A single rate that is really derisory with regard to the quality of the reception on site. In these small houses with simple comfort, far away from the complex hotel complex of Varadero, authenticity is the watchword. Old-fashioned decoration, children who play, kitchen that smells good typical dishes, piña colada house and telenovela from evening rhythmic evening the days of travelers. And how can we not plead the meals of these casas where the dishes are rich, unctuous, and at a soft price?
This is how, very quickly, you feel at home in Viñales. And when it comes to goodbye, it's like leaving your own family or friends forever. So, it's almost the tear in the eye that we're leaving, with one desire: come back.
When
The Cuban climate is subtropical. It offers ideal climatic conditions from March to June. The dry season runs from November to May and the wet season from June to October with alternating rainfall of short duration (usually evenings) and a good level of sunshine. Attention: from July to October, it's also hurricane season. Even if they don't hit Cuba often, it's a risk to take into account when you organize your trip.
Transport
Average price of a Paris-Havana flight: from 800 to 1,200 €. Duration: 10 a. m. Then you have to take a bus from Viazul to go from Havana to Viñales or rent a private chauffeur, a common practice in Cuba and good value for money.
Useful
Cuban Tourism Office
280, Boulevard Raspail, 75014 Paris
01 45 38 90 10
Open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a. m. to 11:30 a. m. and from 2 p. m. to 5 p. m.
Cuba Linda Linda
05 53 08 96 66
www.cuba-linda.com www.cuba-linda.com
