The Best Things to Do in Vinales, Cuba

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Nestled within a lush, green valley in western Cuba, Vinales stands as a captivating haven that beckons travelers seeking escape from the urban hustle. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999, this charming town, a mere couple of hours away from Havana, unveils a world of stunning landscapes.

Vinales offers an array of enticing activities, from cave hikes to tobacco farm visits and the exploration of beautiful botanical gardens. Join us on a journey to uncover the best things to do in Vinales, Cuba.

How to Get to Vinales

Vinales is easily reachable from Havana. The drive is about 112 mi (180 km) and takes about 2.5 hours. There are a few ways to get to Vinales from Havana. The first is to hire a taxi, which is going to be the most convenient and hassle-free option. If you’re with a group, a taxi is going to be your best bet. Depending on your bargaining skills, you can expect to pay around $60-80 CUC. If you’re traveling solo, you will want to find a taxi colectivo. Taxi colectivos are shared taxis and can be found around the bus station or arranged through your casa particular. They charge about $18-25 CUC per person.

The bus is the most budget-friendly option. However, the journey is long and can take up to 4 hours. Viazul offers two buses a day that run from Havana to Vinales. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. A ticket should be purchased in advance.. Traveling to Vinales is easy and safe but if you’re unsure of going independently, there are group tours that can be arranged from Havana.

How to Get Around Vinales

Vinales is easy to get around and the family at your casa particular can likely assist with transportation and activities. The small town can easily be explored on foot with many casa particulars situated within walking distance.

For sights that are on the outskirts of town, I recommend the bus or a taxi. A hop-on/hop-off bus, departing from Parque de Vinales multiple times daily, provides a 90-minute continuous loop tour. For a more personalized experience, hiring a local driver for the day ensures easy access to major sites and saves precious exploration time. It can be difficult to find a taxi once outside of town.

How Much Time Do You Need in Vinales?

Vinales can be done as a day trip from Havana but I recommend spending at least two full days there. Three days is ideal. There’s more to do in Vinales than one might think and you’ll miss a lot by just doing a day trip. You’ll also want some time to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.

Where to Stay in Vinales

Most hotels throughout Cuba don’t allow American tourists. I suggest staying at a homestay or casa particular. Many Cubans rent rooms in their homes or entire apartments to supplement their low government salaries. Casa particulars are regulated by the government and legal casa particulars will have a government placard visible outside. Not only are casa particulars extremely affordable (avg. CUC 30/night), but you will get a taste of real Cuban life.

Many casa particulars can be booked through sites such as Airbnb and Booking.com these days. Cuba Junky is also great and can put you directly in touch with casa owners. Please keep in mind that Cuban families don’t always have access to the internet, so be patient as you await a reply.

Casa Bernardo y Belkis

Casa Bernardo y Belkis is lovely and has a handful of small apartment-style rooms, some of which are detached from the main house and have private bathrooms. Breakfast is served each morning on a rooftop patio with incredible views. The house is just a quick walk to town. Bernardo and Belkis were so welcoming and made my visit special.

Top Things to Do in Vinales:

1. Explore Viñales Town

Vinales town is much more relaxed than many Cuban cities. It’s a great place to have a drink and watch the locals go by on bicycle and horseback. It has some great restaurants and live music can be found nightly. Centro Cultural Polo Montanez is a fun place to visit for nightlife and dancing.

2. Hike the Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas

Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas is the largest cave system in Cuba and the second largest in the Americas. It’s also one of my favorite things to do in Vinales. It’s located about 30 minutes outside of town so a taxi will need to be arranged. The caves can only be accessed with a guide. Tours run throughout the day and last about two hours.

The hike is a moderate one with somewhat steep areas. You’ll be provided with a helmet and headlamp but make sure you bring proper footwear. Inside the cave, you will find glittering rock formations as well as bats, frogs, and other small critters. The tour cost is CUC 10.

3. Boat Through Cueva del Indio

Cueva Del Indio is located about 10 minutes north of town. It was discovered by a farmer in 1920 and has remained a popular tourist attraction over the years. It is very much the opposite of Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas and is anything but tranquil. There are long entry lines that form throughout the day so I recommend visiting early in the morning before the big tour buses arrive.

After a short walk through the cave, you’ll reach a river where you will board a motorized boat. As the boat moves through the grotto, you’ll see cave paintings from ancient indigenous cultures and interesting geologic formations. It was a fun experience but if you only have time for one cave, make it Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas.

4. Swim at Hotel Los Jazmines

Hotel Los Jazmines is a charming hotel that offers magnificent views of Vinales Valley. The pink colonial-style hotel sits high on a hill just 10 minutes from town. It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon relaxing. Non-guests can purchase a day pass to the pool for a small fee. I suggest ordering a Piña Colada from the outdoor bar. It’s possibly the best Piña Colada that I’ve ever had and couldn’t have been more perfect on a hot day.

5. Tour a Tobacco Farm

The majority of Cuba’s tobacco is produced in Vinales. Tobacco farms are scattered through the valley and a tour is a must-do on your Vinales itinerary. The farms have used traditional agricultural methods for hundreds of years.

The cigar-making process is quite extensive. The tobacco is generally grown for about 3 months or until it’s ready to be harvested, at which time it’s moved to a drying house for at least another 3 months. Ninety percent of the crop is used for official government cigars and the farmer is then left with the remaining 10%. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase from the farmer at the end of your tour.

6. See the Mural de la Prehistoria

A giant mural can be seen painted near the foot of one of the tallest cliffs in Vinales. The roadside artwork was designed by Leovigildo González Morillo, the Director of Mapping at the Cuban Academy of Sciences. The 394 ft (120 m) long artwork took 18 people four years to complete.

It depicts the theory of evolution and has images of dinosaurs and humans among other creatures. The bizarre mural is overhyped but is a fun little spot. There’s a restaurant on site but there’s no need to get up close. Make a quick roadside stop for photos and be on your way.

7. Visit El Jardin Botanico de Caridad

El Jardin Botanico de Caridad is a beautiful botanical garden that can be found a few blocks from the main plaza. Look for an iron gate tucked away next to the road. The garden has over 100 species of orchids, fruit trees, and medicinal plants. It is also known for its plastic doll heads that are scattered about.

Rumor has it that the dolls have to do with the practice of Santeria. The garden is almost 100 years old and is a magical little place. It was cared for by the Caridad sisters for many years and one sister remains on the property. She will give you a tour in exchange for a donation or you are welcome to a self-guided tour.

Have you been to Cuba? What are your favorite things to do in Vinales? If you’ve enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Is Trinidad on your Cuba itinerary? It should be. To learn more about Trinidad’s beautiful architecture and fun activities, continue to my post, “Top 6 Things to Do in Trinidad, Cuba.”