Some places you visit during a trip and you will never forget. Other places feel like home from the first moment.

For me, Viñales is such a place.

When my adventure in Cuba started, I actually had the plan to stay for about a month. I started my trip in Havana and fell in love with this special country within a week.

From Havana I first traveled all the way to the east of Cuba, and then returned quietly via the north and south to the west.

But one month became two months and then three. I just couldn’t get enough of Cuba!

It was only in the last week of my trip that I ended up in Viñales.

And that’s where something special happened.

I immediately felt that this was a place where I wanted to stay longer. There was still so much to discover!

I even traveled to Mexico for five days and then returned to Cuba. Back to Viñales, a place that had already stolen my heart.

And eventually, Viñales became my home.

The exceptional valley of Viñales

The Viñales Valley has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

And for good reason!

The landscape is truly beautiful. Green tobacco fields, red earth, palm trees and impressive limestone mountains, which the Cubans Mogotes .

When you travel from busy Havana to Viñales, it seems like you are in another world.

The peace, space, greenery and daily life in the countryside give a wonderful feeling.

Viñales has become a popular destination for travelers, but luckily there are still plenty of places where you can enjoy authentic Cuban life.

And it is precisely those places that I would like you to discover!

Viñales is so much more than the well-known sights

When you search the internet for what you can do in Viñales, you often come across the same sights.

And don’t get me wrong, they are absolutely worth it!

But Viñales has so much more to offer.

In the years that I have lived here, I have discovered beautiful places where you hardly meet other tourists.

Small paths through the mountains, hidden valleys, farms where life still has its own rhythm and viewpoints where you just want to stand still for a moment.

Sometimes you only have to go a few kilometers further to discover a completely different side of Viñales.

Those are the most beautiful moments for me.

Discover Viñales with a local guide

One of the most beautiful ways to explore the area is with someone who grew up here and knows every path.

Through my local contacts, I can help you organize various excursions.

Think, for example, of a beautiful three- to five-hour walk through the green landscape, past small farms, special plants and impressive viewpoints.

Or discover the surroundings on horseback, as the Cubans themselves have been doing for generations.

There is also a lot to discover on the bike.

I’m not just about visiting beautiful places. I think it’s important that you get to know the people, their habits and their stories along the way.

Depending on the excursion and availability, we will look for a suitable guide and the desired language together.

Farm life in Viñales

What I find so special about Viñales is that you can still see a lot of traditional Cuban farm life here.

On the land, work is still done with oxen and simple agricultural means in various places.

It is wonderful to see how people work their land with so much patience and craftsmanship.

During a visit to a local farm, you can get acquainted with the cultivation of tobacco, as well as other crops such as bananas, pineapples and coffee.

Tobacco cultivation in particular plays an important role in this region.

You can see how the tobacco plants grow, how the leaves are dried, and how the famous Cuban cigars are finally made.

But at least as interesting are the conversations with the farmers themselves.

What does their daily life look like? How do they cultivate their land? And what traditions are passed down from generation to generation?

It is precisely these encounters that make a visit so special for me.

Tasting the Cuban countryside

Of course, a visit to Viñales is not complete without enjoying the local cuisine!

In the village you will find several restaurants where you can eat both Cuban dishes and international meals.

But my personal preference is often for a cozy restaurant outside the center.

Good food with a view over the green landscape, while enjoying the peace and nature.

What more could you want?

A visit to a farm can also be a special experience.

You may have the opportunity to taste local coffee, honey or other products from the region.

And of course, a delicious Cuban dish should not be missing.

Think of rice with beans, freshly prepared vegetables, chicken or fish. Or maybe a delicious lobster, when available!

Due to the economic situation, supply and prices can change. That is why I would like to look with you at what is possible at that moment.

Viñales in the evening

Even when the sun goes down, Viñales has its charm.

During the day you enjoy nature, but in the evening the village comes alive in a different way.

Music plays an important role in Cuban life and you notice that here as well.

In various places you can enjoy live music, a drink and of course salsa!

When music is played, it often doesn’t take long before there is dancing.

And don’t be surprised if someone invites you to join!

You really don’t have to be able to dance perfectly. It’s all about the fun and the fun.

Which performances and activities there are vary from evening to evening, but the Cuban zest for life is never far away.

Why Viñales remains so special to me

I have seen a lot of beautiful places in Cuba.

From bustling cities to beautiful beaches and impressive nature reserves.

But Viñales has something that I find difficult to explain in words.

Maybe it’s the peace. Maybe it’s the mountains, the beautiful nature or the people I have met here.

It’s probably all together.

Viñales is not just a destination on the map for me.

It’s the place where I’ve come to feel at home.

And that is precisely why I think it is so special to introduce others to this part of Cuba.

Not only the well-known tourist attractions, but above all the daily life and the hidden places that make this area so unique.

Discover the real Viñales

Do you want to discover Viñales in a special way?

Whether you like hiking, horseback riding, nature, culture or just relaxing, I am happy to think along with you.

Thanks to my own experiences and local contacts, I can help you find a nice casa particular, arrange transport and organize beautiful excursions.

Do you want to discover more than the usual tourist spots?

Feel free to contact me and tell me your wishes!

Viñales is my home. I’d love to show you some of it!

Hasta pronto!