How to Take the Perfect Day Trip to Vinales from Havana

June 2, 2024

Cuba is a land of contrasts, with the vibrant energy of Havana seamlessly giving way to the serene beauty of Viñales. Viñales is known for its slow, laid-back vibe and lush surroundings, making it the perfect rural retreat and escape from the hustle and bustle of Havana. Whether you have time to spend a few nights or only time for a day trip, it is an absolute must-visit that you cannot miss if you are visiting Cuba! This guide will give you all the essentials to help plan that perfect day trip to Vinales from Havana, and even if you are staying for longer you’ll want to read on to see what sites to visit in Viñales!

HOW DO I GET TO VIÑALES FROM HAVANA?

Getting to Viñales couldn’t be easier, but it can be a bit of a long journey. There are 4 main ways to get to Viñales:

1. Tour: For a day trip, taking an organised tour will be your best option as you don’t have to worry about organising transport around Viñales. Personally, I hate doing group tours and if I were going to do this again I would opt for a private tour. See more below on tour details.

2. Private Taxi: There aren’t taxi companies in Cuba so often you will need to arrange a private taxi through someone for longer distance journeys or hail a taxi down and negotiate a fee. You can easily arrange a private taxi through your Casa Particular/ Airbnb/ Hotel, but just note this will be quite expensive as the taxi will be with you the entire day and bringing you back to Havana if you aren’t staying overnight.

How much is a taxi from Havana to Vinales?

Cost is around USD 150-200.

3. Shared Taxi / Collectivo: A cheaper option to a private taxi and group tour is a shared taxi or collectivo. Again this will need to be arranged by your Casa Particular/ Airbnb/ Hotel as there’s no official booking system for collectivos in Cuba, it is by word of mouth and contacts!

4. Viazul Bus: The Viazul bus schedule constantly changes so you’ll need to check this on the Viazul website beforehand to see what times are available. Sometimes the schedule doesn’t allow for a day trip option as usually there are only 1 or 2 buses a day to and from Viñales and they tend to be early rather than evening options for a return. It’s a great option if you’re going to be staying overnight in Viñales. You can book the bus in advance as well and it is relatively cheap at around 15 euros one way.

How long is the bus from Havana to Vinales?

Roughly 3hrs and 40 minutes, but if there’s traffic or bad weather it will be longer.

IS IT WORTH GOING TO VIÑALES CUBA?

ABSOLUTELY! Viñales is a must-visit, with its beautiful natural surroundings, some of the best tobacco fields in Cuba, and its countryside vibes (and you’ll even spot many Cuban cowboys here!). If this doesn’t convince you then continue to read on to see what the must-visit sites are in Viñales!

HOW LONG TO SPEND IN VIÑALES?

This is completely down to personal preference and how much time you have. I personally only had time for a day trip given I could only take so much annual leave and wanted to visit other parts of Cuba. Also a day trip worked well for me as although I love nature, I am a city girl (and have no shame admitting this) and need a faster-paced life with slightly more modern accommodation and food options. Viñales has quite basic and traditional accommodation options with only a couple of more modern Casas which were fully booked for our trip. This isn’t for everyone (and again no shame in admitting this) so just be wary of this so you’re fully prepared for your trip.

If you can do an overnight trip to Viñales it will be completely worth it and gives you more time to do activities such as visiting local tobacco farms, horse-riding into the mountains and just generally exploring lesser known parts of Viñales.

WHAT TO DO IN VINALES

Viñales doesn’t actually have a lot of “typical” sights to see, it’s more known for its nature so a lot of your time here will be exploring the grounds, making it perfect for nature lovers. You should definitely reserve time (you will need to stay overnight) to explore the Viñales valley, which you can do by horse-back, bicycle or on foot.

However, if you’re on the group tour you won’t have time for exploring the valley independently and will be limited to the following sights:

1. Mural de la Prehistoria: This mural depicts the evolutionary process of life which took 4 years and over 18 farmers to create. I’m not going to lie, personally this is not worth visiting, it’s not exactly the most attractive mural you’ll ever see, but the tour only stops here for 15 minutes. If you’re doing a private tour I would recommend skipping past this as there are other parts of Viñales worth exploring, especially if you only have 1 day.

2. La Cueva Del Indio: La Cueva Del Indio was rediscovered in 1920 and is a pretty amazing cave that you must visit. You will first walk through the caves for around 200 meters before taking a 5 minutes boat ride along a subterranean river running through the cave. On the boat ride, you will get to truly see the stalactites and stalagmites formations and also some cave paintings. The entrance fee is included in the group tour price.

3. Tobacco Farm: No trip to Viñales is complete without visiting a tobacco farm! There are many tobacco farms in Viñales and the only downside of a group tour is that you’ll visit quite a touristic one (same as if you do vineyard tours in Tuscany as an example). However, if you do a private tour you’ll visit smaller, more local farms where you can truly learn more about the life of locals and all about tobacco farming and the industry in Cuba. Even on the group tour, it was still very interesting to learn about the process of making cigars and learning tips on how to tell if it’s a good or bad cigar. I highly recommend visiting a few tobacco farms in Viñales if you have the chance!

4. Los Jasmines Viewpoint: The uninterrupted views of Viñales valley from Los Jasmines (also knows as the Viñales balcony) are breathtaking. The group tour usually ends at this viewpoint, which in my eyes was the perfect way to end the tour.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE GROUP TOUR DAY TRIP TO VIÑALES FROM HAVANA

The group tour starts early, where pick-up is usually between 7am-8am. It doesn’t leave much time from breakfast but there is a stop on the way at a roadside café where you can buy coffee and snacks. The tour size is usually around 12-15 people and you have no control over timings.

The drive takes around 3 hours, although ours took close to 4 hours as the road conditions were really bad so we had to go slow. Once you reach Viñales the first stop is the mural de la Prehistoria for 15-20 minutes, and then depending on the timing you will either do La Cueva Del Indio before lunch or have lunch first. As our journey took so long we did lunch first at a local restaurant which was good food but Arun did get sick from it and ended up having to get antibiotics for a stomach infection (he had chicken, I had lamb).

After lunch you’ll visit visit the caves (if not done beforehand). Note that even though walking through the caves is very short, waiting for the boat ride can take long (we waited over 45 minutes). Following this you’ll make your way to a tobacco farm. It is a touristic farm as most of the small group tours go there but it was still very interesting, and as part of your tour a cigar is included to try. You’ll have the option to also buy drinks here if you wish, and annoyingly there were a few party-goers on our tour who were getting drinks at every stop and chose to get another one here even though it was 4.30pm by this point and we still had one more sight and then a 3-4 hour journey to make. That’s the main reason I hate doing group tours as you’re tied to other people and can’t control the timings!

The tour ends at the Los Jasmines viewpoint for 15 minutes before taking the 3-4 hour return journey. The road on the way back was fine and we got back around 8.30pm. You’re looking at a 12 hour day if you do a day trip to Viñales from Havana so be prepared for this.

TIPS FOR A GREAT DAY TRIP

Weather Considerations: Viñales can be hot and humid, especially in the summer. Dress comfortably, wear sunscreen, and stay hydrated.
Cash: Bring enough cash, as many places in Viñales do not accept credit cards. Cuban Pesos (CUP) and USD are widely used.
Language: While some locals speak English, a few basic Spanish phrases can go a long way in enhancing your experience.
Timing: If you’re doing a private taxi/tour, plan to leave Viñales by 4:00 PM to ensure you get back to Havana at a reasonable hour. The countryside roads can be tricky to navigate in the dark.

PARTING THOUGHTS

A day trip to Vinales from Havana offers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. With its captivating landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality, Viñales provides a refreshing contrast to the urban energy of Havana. By planning your trip carefully and embracing the spirit of exploration, you can create unforgettable memories in this enchanting part of Cuba. So, set your alarm early, pack your camera, and get ready for a day of discovery in Viñales!