5 Reasons to Visit Viñales on Your Next Trip to Cuba
Everyone who goes to Cuba visits Havana, but not too many take the three-hour taxi or bus ride west of the city to explore Viñales, one of the country's most beautiful towns, best known for its limestone hills and tobacco farms.
Start your Cuban adventure by taking a ride in one of the taxi colectivos — shared taxis — that leave from the Viazul bus station in the center of Havana. You'll find dozens of taxi drivers waiting outside the station, so just pick which classic car you like best, negotiate the price and hop right on in. I paid $15 each way and got to ride in a beautiful 1950s Chevrolet Bel Air. Prices can vary enormously depending on the driver and the vehicle, but remember, everything in Cuba is negotiable. You can also take a bus from the Viazul station for a few bucks less, but come on, wouldn't you rather cruise around in style?
Here are five reasons you should visit Viñales on your next trip to this incredible island nation.
1. Nature Lovers Can Experience Cuba's Countryside
Venture outside the busy city of Havana and you'll be rewarded with Viñales's beautiful mogotes (limestone hills), vibrant natural colors and endless rows of meticulously groomed tobacco fields. Explore Cuba's largest cave system in the Cuevas de Santo Tomas, stroll through the Jardin Botanico de Viñales or hike through the heart of Valle de Viñales on a fun guided tour. To experience the best of Viñales, you should spend the majority of your time outdoors in its rich, natural environment.
2. You'll See Cuba's Tobacco Fields Up Close
Cuba is famous for producing the best cigars in the world, so with a visit to Viñales you'll have the opportunity to sample the finest tobacco directly from the source. Take a guided tour through the farms to learn how the cigars are made from start to finish.
Purchasing them directly from the farm will save you loads of money compared to shopping in the touristy areas back in Havana — I paid $3 per cigar for a bundle of 15.
Every time I light up one of my Cuban cigars, it breathes in smoother than silk — dip the tip of it into some honey first for a more traditional Cuban smoking experience.
3. You Can Stay With a Cuban Family in a Casa Particular
More than 80% of the homes in Viñales open their doors and offer accommodation to tourists via casas particulares. Once you arrive, simply knock on any door that has a sign with a name on it and ask if any rooms are available. The standard price for a room is usually around $25 per night — if you're traveling with friends, you can split even that cost up to four ways. I thoroughly enjoyed staying in a casa particular because I had wonderful conversations with the family over home-cooked Cuban meals at a table overlooking the lush valley. It was a great way to practice my Spanish and learn about their daily lives — you'd be amazed to see how the culture in the countryside differs from the bustling city life of Havana.
4. You'll Feel Like a Boss Cruising the Countryside in a Classic Car
Wearing a Cuban hat, puffing on a hand-rolled cigar and touring Cuba's countryside in a classic American automobile is a recipe for an unforgettable experience. The engine will purr as you pass the picturesque tobacco fields and limestone hills on your way to Cuba's coolest town. Of course, touring Havana in a cherry-red Buick convertible is magical, but if you're looking for an even more authentic Cuban experience, head west for a beautiful three-hour drive to rural Viñales.
5. Go for a Horseback Ride Through Cuba's Countryside
My absolute favorite part of visiting Viñales was being guided through the hills on a horse named Charlie — for $12, I had full access to a nearby national park and tobacco fields. If you want to do it, too, keep an eye out for signs in town that say "excursion a caballo" ("horse excursion") and book your tour a few hours in advance, although if you're lucky, you may still be able to score a spot even minutes before the tour leaves. You'll visit a local farm to see the cigar-making process from start to finish, and have the chance to smoke a freshly rolled stogie once you saddle up. You can also take a dip in a natural lake and explore shallow caves. Most excursions also offer a tour of the nearby coffee plantations and include the chance to sample local rum. I recommend penciling in a full day and doing it all — time it just right and you'll end the tour at sunset, trotting along with a splendid view over the valley.
Have you visited Viñales? Tell us about your experience, below.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.