Have you ever seen those movies where a big, powerful, wealthy man sits in a large office looking all polished and asks for a cigar? And not just any cigar; it must be Cuban cigar. Well, it’s not hard to guess at this point – Cuban cigars are the best, indeed.
Pinar del Rio – that’s where all the cigars are at! It’s a region just beside La Habana, the country’s capital. In Pinar del Rio, the unusual rounded limestone mountains, in other words, mogotes, string along the flat plains which competes with those also considered to be splendid in the world. The tobacco plantations in this area are indeed a splendid view – but that’s just part of the region’s splendor. Ever heard of Cuban cowboys? Well, they roam around these plains, where idyllic villages can also be found which are all connected by a vast mountain range of tropical forests. Isn’t it a nice break from the city life?
Well, not quite; it does offer areas of fresh air and nature-filled views, but there are also several highways that criss-cross the area, especially through the mountains or along the coastline. Can you imagine the view it may be offering you? Another bonus to this area too: the exquisite guava liqueur known as Guayabita del Pinar. It isn’t common in other parts of Cuba – just here! Drop by and have sip!
Is this all, then? No. There are other places that you must see when visiting this region, such as:
- The Ancient Ruins & the French Coffee Plantation
This is the historic Buenavista estate in Las Terrazes that has been restored to make your trip a memorably cultural one.
- Soroa
Here you can find a waterfall – not just any waterfall, it’s 22 meters high, spring-fed Rainbow Waterfall which is home to about 1,000 species of exotic orchids.
- Cueva de los Portales
Another historic place: Ché Guevara’s hideout – a cave – in 1962 during the Missile Crisis which today is houses a small museum.
- Viñales Valley (Sierra de los Organos)
This valley is a national monument declared a UNESCO, World Cultural and Landscape Site in 1999, which is also home to the 270-million-year-old fossil known as palma corcho.
- Guach Palace (City of Pinar del Rio)
Deemed as the “strangest building in Cuba“, this palace is reminiscent of early 20th century Catalonian modernism, which today houses the Museum of Natural Science.
- Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas
These are cave tunnels, and are recognized as one of the largest in the world – down to 45 kilometers.
- Cuban Mantua
Supposedly founded by survivors of an Italian shipwreck in the late 17th century, this also is the small country village which now is a national monument – this is where the Independence Army’s western campaign came to an end in January 1896.
- Maria la Gorda Beach
An international dive center located at Cuba’s westernmost point.
So, what do you say we drop by? And have a great time in Cuba!
