A traveller's reflection: 16 Cuba: Vinales Valley - the land of tobacco, caves and karst landscape...

"Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems..." - Epictetus

(Mural de la Prehistoria, Vinales)

Day 16: 04/07/25 (Friday)
Activity: Vinales Valley Day Trip Tour
Hotel: Home in La Havana, Cuba

We had a light breakfast of steaming Hazelnut Coffee and sweet bread before heading to Viñales. Today we planned to go for a day tour to explore Vinales in a Classic American Car. The driver picked us up from our apartment sharp at 7.30 am. Vinales is located about 185 km from Havana city and would be about 3 hour drive. We will be visiting the Vinales Valley and some of the attractions around the area.

(A simple breakfast early in the morning)

The Viñales valley is encircled by mountains and its landscape is interspersed with dramatic rocky outcrops. Traditional techniques are still in use for agricultural production, particularly of tobacco. The quality of this cultural landscape is enhanced by the vernacular architecture of its farms and villages, where a rich multi-ethnic society survives, illustrating the cultural development of the islands of the Caribbean, and of Cuba.

(1950 Chevrolet Styleline Sedan, our ride to Vinales)

On the way about an hour's drive from Havana, we stopped for breakfast at a small roadside eatery at Los Santicos. We had eggs sandwiches and Sunchy mango nectar for our drinks. Surprisingly, they did not serve hot drinks here.

(A road-side eatery)

(Outdoor table under a thatched umbrella)

(Egg sandwiches and mango juice for breakfast)

When we reached Venales, we were met by our local tour guide at a meeting point near Hotel Horizontes Las Jasmine. After a short briefing, we convoyed in two vintage cars to begin our tour of Vinales Valley.

(Vintage food truck with the 'Lone Star flag')

(Having a cup of coffee while waiting for our guide)

(Hotel Horizontes Las Jasmine)

(Panoramic view of Vinales Valley)

(The lookout point and the signpost)

First stop was at the Mural of Prehistory or Mural de la Prehistoria. It is located approximately five kilometres from Vinales town. This massive mural on the side of Mogote Pita measures some 120 metres wide and, as the name suggests, portrays the prehistory of the region dating back from the time of the dinosaurs to the arrival of the first human inhabitants. Commissioned by the Cuban government in 1961, the Mural of Prehistory was designed by Cuban artist Leovigildo González Morillo. It took about twenty artists four years to complete this mural. We tasted a complimentary refreshing non alcoholic Pina Colada here.

(Located within UNESCO-listed Vinales Valley)

(The entrance and ticket booth)

(Open-air fresco etched into the limestone magote)

(Created in 1961 by a Cuban painter and scientist)

(To celebrate the island's prehistoric heritage)

(Description of the mural at the Information Centre)

The Piña Colada is a classic tropical cocktail that originated in Puerto Rico in the 1950s. The cocktail quickly gained popularity and was declared the official drink of Puerto Rico in 1978. Piña Colada means 'strained pineapple' in Spanish, referring to the pineapple juice used in the drink. The cocktail is prepared by blending pineapple juice, cream of coconut, lime juice, and crushed ice until smooth and creamy. The Piña Colada has become a symbol of tropical vacations and beachside relaxation.White rum provides the alcoholic base for the cocktail. My Piña Colada was refreshing, not overly sweet, and tasted distinctly like coconut shake with pineapple juice in it.

(Originated from Costa Rica)

(Enjoying my non-alcoholic Pina Colada)

(White rum added for the alcoholic version)

(Pina Colada, the Cuban recipe)

Next attraction was the Cueva del Indio (Indio Cave). It is an ancient indigenous dwelling located 5.5 km north of Viñales and near the town of San Vicente. It is an important Cuban cave system founded in 1920 by a peasant named Juan Diaz. The río San Vicente runs through the cave. We had to climb a flight of stairs to get into the cave. Then went through a section of the cave in a motorboat. It is a very interesting to see the geological formations of stalactites and stalagmites. This Cueva del Indio is illuminated by colorfully lightings.

(Native dwelling of thatched houses)

(Welcoming coffee drinks and Cuban cigars)

(Caricature drawings/paintings by local artists)

(The entrance to the Indian Cave)

(A long climb to the entrance, and long walk to the underground river)

(Impressive stalactites and stalagmites within the cave)

(Boat ride along the subterranean San Vicente River)

(The river that flows through the cave)

(A unique underground boat ride)

(Limestone formations in the cave)

(The river exits on the other side of the cave)

(A face-like limestone formation)

From the cave we drove a distance to the valley to explore the coffee and tobacco plantations. We had the option of riding a horse or take a walk to the farms. Four of us decided to walk while two others rode on the horses.

(A bright yellow antique jeep)

(Contemplating of riding a horse)

(A very long tiring walk to the village)

(Admiring the cactus flowers)

Mr Umberto, the village local guide gave a tour of his farm and kindly explained to us on the coffee making process, of drying the coffee beans naturally before processing. He showed us the rum produced from guava and the production of honey. After lunch, he demonstrated the art of rolling the cigars and we sampled a cigar each. Four dried tobacco leaves are used in making one cigar. In Cuba, all the tobacco plantations are still using a traditional methods and the government is specifically encouraging the farmer to do it this way to preserve the finest quality of tobacco by not introducing anything chemical in the process. Each of the seeds is hand-planted carefully and left to grow for about three months. It's then followed by the harvesting process, which is the most labor intensive.

(Mr. Umberto briefing on coffee, wine and cigar making)

(Demonstration of cigar rolling)

(Opportunity for cigar tasting)

Lunch was served at the village restaurant. We had grilled red snapper and varieties of vegetables and fresh pressed mango juice for drinks.

(Lunch was cooked and served by the villagers)

(Grilled red snapper for lunch)

(wood carving figurines for souvenirs)

It was raining when we drove back in the rain. It was a long drive, so we slept all the way. Back at the apartment we had rice and sambal sotong for dinner.