Things to see and do Viñales

This beautiful valley, classified by Unesco, boasts a unique landscape and exceptional colors. It is not necessary to go very far from the village to be totally disoriented. A few hundred meters are enough to find yourself in the middle of the fields with red earth, near the tobacco crops with the mogotes - karstic reliefs inherited from the Jurassic period - emerging on the horizon. On your way, on foot, by bike, or on horseback, the peasants(guajiros) you meet will often be delighted to share the fruits of their crops!

The mogotes did not arise from nowhere, the cave of Santo Tomás is there to recall it. It is indeed the country's largest natural underground network. His caves and hoses span almost 45 km. Much more interesting than the Cueva del Indio, since everything remained in the natural state. Attention: the climb and descent are quite sporting because of a steep slope. Make good shoes and forget tongues.

Commissioned by Fidel Castro to the Cuban artist Leovigildo González, the paintings that cover the wall on 80 m high and 120 wide represent the biogeological evolution of the area. Ammonite (cephalopod mollusc), plesiosaurus (large marine reptile), megalocnus rodens (mammal of the ice age) and finally Homos sapiens follow one another. Although spectacular, the whole is far from being exciting and it is not really a prehistoric fresco, so that largely decreases its interest... On the other hand, the way to reach it is pleasant.

Caridad and Carmen were the two most famous sisters in the city thanks to the botanical garden they had made in their home. Sadly, Caridad passed away in 2009 and her sister a few years later. Nowadays, a young man is visiting the garden. But don't miss this garden. You will learn about the history of the many fruit trees and the beautiful orchids and other local flowers that line their landscape. Tasting of fruits from the casa during the visit.

To be done after the caverna of Santo Tomás to refresh yourself, because it is nice inside and the visit of the cave does not require any physical effort compared to that of Santo Tomás...

This cave, rediscovered in 1920 by a local peasant, was home to Indians before the arrival of the Spanish. Electrified in 1952, it was opened to tourism in 1960, when an expansion project was being studied. Waterways offer as many corridors to explore. The hose is accessible by foot for nearly 500 m, before embarking on a small motorboat, which goes into the underground river (the San Vicente river). However, the visit is a little quick, given the beauty of the site. At the exit, you may see Tomas, a (huge) 10-year-old buffalo swimming in the river; he has been tamed and his master rides him, it's really unusual... But the buffalo is increasingly rare.

Good plan. If you leave the cave at the end of the day, you will find Cubans outside who will propose you to eat in their particular casa. Ask for "el Matancero", a local from Matanzas as his nickname suggests, who will take you to dinner in his casa where he and his wife prepare absolutely delicious fresh water crayfish. The singer Raúl Paz, originally from the region, is a regular and personally recommended the famous "Matancero" to us. No address, no phone, but "el Matancero" is known as the white wolf. Enjoy your meal!