Because
of its near-perfect natural beauty, this province in
the westernmost part of the country is also known as
"the Garden of Cuba." It is 10 931,5 square
km (4221 square miles) in size, has a population of
around 718,000 and is famous for growing the best tobacco
in the world. It was named Nueva Filipinas by mid 1770´s,
but that name didn't stick. Ever since 1778, it has
been "Pinar del Río" corresponding
to the oldest town.
It is the only place in cuba with two Reserves of the
Biosphere within provincial limits: Sierra del Rosario
and the Península of Guanahacabibes.
Casa Albertina
Budget
Accommodation
in Vedado, Havana
Hotel Nacional
Recomended
Hotel
in Havana
UNESCO has declared the Valley of
Viñales to be a part of world culture, and
it is also a national monument. It is surrounded by
pin-cushion hills which contain many caves and underground
rivers. The Los Jazmines and La Ermita Hotels, the
Palenque de los Cimarrones (Runaway Slave Settlement),
the Mural of Prehistory, Indio (Indian's) Cave, the
Los Acuáticos Community, San Diego de los Baños
and the town of Viñales are nearby.
Pinar del rio is famous principaly for the Viñales
Valley and for the tobacco.This Cultural Landscape
of Mankind; and the fact that the lands of Vueltabajo
produce the best tobacco of the world. make pinar
del rio a destination that you should not miss.
Valley
of Viñales: Unquestionably, this is one of
the parts of Cuba that is best known internationally.
In the late 1900s, UNESCO declared it to be a part
of world cultural heritage.
The valley is also a national monument. Its beauty
and size, 132 square km (51 square miles) make it
the most outstanding example of karst valleys in Cuba.
This fertile area is surrounded by hills with vertical
sides and rounded tops, called mogotes (pin-cushion
hills). With 140 to 400 m (between 460 and 1312 feet)
high, they are the only hills of this kind in Cuba.
They contain many caves, some of them created by underground
rivers (which are navigable in part), which form one
of the most extensive cave systems in Latin America.
Pan
de Guajaibón (699 meters above sea
level) is the highest mountain of all the
western region of the largest of the Antilles.
This mountainous region and Sierra de los
Órganos constitute the extensive Cordillera
de Guaniguanico, which concentrates the most
notable landscape and biological richness
of the region.
Two of the four areas in the Cuban archipelago which
UNESCO has declared to be world preserves of the biosphere
are nearby:
the Rosario Mountains, which contain enchanting Soroa
and Las Terrazas, and the Guanahacabibes Peninsula.
The flora and fauna in both places are of a great
variety, with many endemic species.
Quiet, comfortable hotels have been built in some
of the most beautiful spots in Pinar del Río,
to facilitate your enjoyment of Nature. Levisa Cay
has a delightful, sunny beach, and the province also
offer excellent opportunities for scuba diving, hunting
and fishing. When visiting the capital of Pinar del
Río Province, be sure to tour the Guayabita
del Pinar Distillery, where the drink of the same
name is still made by hand, following an age-old recipe;
Guarch Palace, Milanés Theater and the Rumayor
Cabaret. The local culture is quite an attraction.
Pinar del Río is just 174 km (108 miles) from
Havana, and the two cities are linked by a good highway.
The city of Pinar del Río was founded in 1774.
The architecture in its historic center is eclectic,
and its low houses in gentle colors, whose porches
seem to form an endless gallery, have great charm.
On the outskirts of the city, modern buildings break its horizontal
lines. Ever since the 19th century, residents of Havana have
been drawn by the natural beauty of the Vueltabajo region,
and they have flocked to Portales Cave; to San Diego de los
Baños, to receive the benefits of its mineral-medicinal
and thermal water; and to the Valley of Viñales, to
gaze at its natural beauty.
The
best time to visit Pinar del Rio is: December
through April, is also the most popular time. The weather
is at its coolest and driest during these months, yet it's
still far warmer than North America and Europe. In the spring and fall, it's off-seasons
and this can mean fewer hotel amenities; some hotels may be
closed entirely for repairs. There are, however, benefits
to traveling in the off-seasons: lack of crowds and prices
that tumble by up to 25% .
Tops destinatios in Pinar
del Rio, Cuba are:
Pinar
del Rio city: Pinar del
Río is just 174 km (108 miles) from Havana. A
good highway links the two cities. The architecture
in its historic center is eclectic, and its low houses
in gentle colors, whose porches seem to form an endless
gallery, have great charm. On the outskirts of the city,
modern buildings break its horizontal lines. Be sure
to tour the Guayabita del Pinar Distillery, where the
drink of the same name is still made by hand,following an age-old recipe;
the Guash Palace, the Milanés Theater and the
Rumayor Cabaret. (Pinar
del Rio City Pictures)
And
the attractions you should visit are:
TheGuayabita del Pinar Distillery
TheGuash
Palace
The Milanés Theater
The Rumayor Cabaret
The Cigars Factory
Viñales:
The town of Viñales, in
the heart of the valley, is a typical agricultural settlement
whose main street is flanked by galleries of columns and
red-tiled houses.(Viñales
Pictures) And
the attractions you should visit are:
The Indian Cave
The Viñales town
The Mural Prehistory
Soroa:
Set in the Rosario Mountains just a little over 43 miles
(70 kilometers) from Havana, Soroa has a beautiful waterfall
72 feet (22 meters) high. Hiking and horseback riding
are recommended. The most famous attraction here is
the orchid garden, with species from all over the world.(Soroa
Pictures) And the attractions
you should visit are:
Maria
la Gorda Diving Center: María La Gorda is located
on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, a preserve of the biosphere
that is just beginning to be opened up to tourism, in
the westernmost part of Pinar del Río Province.
This international scuba-diving center has around 40
diving sites, which include a large colony of black
coral.
Cayo
Levisa :Three kilometers
of excellent beaches and 23 diving sites turn Cayo Levisa
into an excellent destination for diving enthusiasts,
who can enjoy crystal-clear waters and one of the world's
largest coral reefs. The stay on Cayo Levisa can be
combined with tours of places of tourist interest in
Pinar del Río, including the Guanahacabibes Peninsula,
declared a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization, Sierra del Rosario
and the Viñales Valley.
San
Diego de los Baños: Situated in beautiful setting
at the base of the Sierra del Rosario mountains, the
San Diego de los Baños Spa is the ideal place
to restore energy burnt out by stress and revitalize
body vitality and beauty. Its warm waters and mineral-medicinal
mud are perfect for beauty and anti-stress treatments,
weight loss plan and programs for senior citizens.
Las
Terrazas:Tucked in the
Sierra del Rosario Mountains, Las Terrazas is a marvelous
place for all who love Nature and scenic beauty. Swim
in the crystal-clear water of the San Juan River, explore
mountain trails and learn about the customs of the farmers
who live in the area—in short, treat yourself
to some unique and memorable experiences. (Pictures
of las Terrazas) And the attractions you
should visit are:
