How to plan a trip to Pinar del Río?

If you’re thinking about planning a trip to Pinar del Río, you’re in the right place! In this post we will tell you everything you need to know for you to get ready and we will give you many travel tips that will be of great help during your stay. Take notes because we will tell you how to get there, what is the best time to travel, the necessary documentation, the best areas to stay and much more.

Pinar del Río is a region of Cuba famous for its rich tradition of tobacco production and its impressive natural landscapes, such as the Viñales Valley, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its capital is quiet and welcoming, with streets lined with colonial and neoclassical architecture, and is often the starting point for exploring the lush tobacco landscapes and nature reserves that define the area. Ready to embark on your trip to Pinar del Rio?

1. Prepare the documentation to travel to Pinar del Río

As you may know, depending on where you’re travelling from, the documentation required to enter the country may vary slightly. What is common, regardless of where you’re coming from, is that you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa that will allow you to stay in the country for 90 days with the possibility of extending it for a further 30 days. There are two types of visas depending on where you are travelling from, the Pink Visa if you travel from the United States, and the Green or Blue Visa for all other countries.

Both can be applied for at the Cuban embassy or consulate in your country or on their website. To apply, you must present a copy of your passport valid for at least six months from the start of your trip and travel insurance, as well as paying the corresponding fees, which vary depending on the country of origin. If you travel from the USA the visa costs $103, while from Europe it costs $35.

Once granted, the visa is valid for 6 months, which means that, depending on how long you plan to stay in the country, we don’t recommend applying for it too far in advance. In this post you can read more about visas to Cuba: Travel visas to Cuba: How to obtain a visa to travel to Cuba.

Something important to keep in mind is that if you decide to travel from the US, you will have to request authorisation from the Office of Foreign Assets Control and prepare certain extra documents as we tell you in this post: What do I need to travel to Cuba from the United States?

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Pinar del Rio

We recommend visiting Pinar del Río between November and April, outside the rainy season. During these months temperatures are optimal for strolling through the tobacco fields and swimming at the beach. The downside is that this is also the high season, and there are more tourists and prices can be higher.

However, if you want an authentic local experience, we encourage you to go during the Festival del Habano, an event for cigar aficionados where you can sample top-notch cigars and learn about Cuban cigar culture.

3. Find out how to get to Pinar del Rio

Getting to Pinar del Río and getting around the region is quite easy, especially if you’re coming from Havana, which is about 2 hours away by car. Here are all the options for getting there:

• Airplane: the closest airport to Pinar del Río is José Martí International Airport, located in Havana. This airport handles most international and domestic flights arriving in Cuba and is approximately 150 kilometres from Pinar del Río.
• Car: you can rent a car through platforms such as Rent Car Cuba, with or without a driver. The road from Havana is direct and the journey offers panoramic views. It takes about 2hrs.
• Bus: Viazul and Transgaviota offer regular services from Havana and other cities. We recommend checking bus schedules and purchasing tickets in advance to ensure your seat.

From the airport, you can reach Pinar del Río by car or bus in about 2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

As for public transport in Pinar del Río, although limited, you can find taxis and car rentals to get around the city and its surroundings. Prices vary according to distance and type of service, but are generally affordable. Also popular are “coco-taxis” for short distances, with negotiable fares.

4. Find the accommodation that matches your expectations to enjoy Pinar del Río

Pinar del Río, with its rustic and traditional charm, offers a variety of accommodations that reflect its cultural heritage, from private homes that rent rooms to hotels and eco-resorts near the tobacco fields.

These are some of the best areas to stay:

• Viñales: This town is very popular among tourists for its stunning views of the mogotes and rural life. Accommodation here is cheaper than in the big cities, with many affordable “casas particulares”- private houses.
• Central Pinar del Río: ideal for those looking to explore local culture and urban attractions. Prices vary, but in general, it’s possible to find affordable and comfortable options.
• Las Terrazas: This eco-friendly community offers a more unique and sustainable type of accommodation. Prices are moderately high, but justified by the exclusivity and sustainable practices.

5. Where and what to eat in Pinar del Río?

The gastronomy in Pinar del Río is a reflection of Cuba’s cultural diversity, influenced by Spanish, African, Chinese and Arabic roots. Local dishes are famous for the use of fresh ingredients such as pork, chicken, cassava and various seafood, often accompanied by rice and beans, essential elements of the Cuban diet. You’re sure not to go hungry.

Here are a few suggestions of dishes not to be missed:

1. Congrí: a combination of rice and black beans cooked and seasoned with garlic, pepper and other spices. It is a classic side dish in Cuban cuisine and is known for its robust flavour and pleasant texture.
2. Roast Pork: common at festivities and family gatherings, this dish consists of pork marinated and slow-roasted to a tender, juicy meat. It is typically marinated with sour orange, garlic, and spices.
3. Fried pork chunks: pork chunks, marinated in lime juice and garlic, then fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
4. Yucca with mojito: yucca, a potato-like tuber, is cooked until soft and served with a “mojito” (not to be confused with the cocktail), which is a sauce made from olive oil, garlic, lime juice and sometimes onion. This dish stands out for its smooth texture and the acidic and aromatic touch of the mojito.
5. Tamales en hojas: ground corn mixed with pieces of meat (usually pork), wrapped in corn husks and steamed.

As for drinks, one of the highlights is “Guarapo,” the very popular and refreshing fresh sugar cane juice. The region is also famous for its rum production, which you can enjoy in cocktails or on its own.

6. Choose the activities you want to do in Pinar del Río

Exploring Pinar del Río requires at least four days, considering its rich diversity of natural and cultural landscapes. Here are some of the main points of interest so you can start organising your Passporter travel itinerary today.

1. Valle de Viñales: offers a surreal landscape of hummocks and rich vegetation. Ideal for hiking and nature observation. Read more about Viñales in this post: How to plan a trip to Viñales Cuba
2. Cueva del Indio: a boat trip on an underground river inside the cave. Approximate price: 5 USD per person.
3. Mural of Prehistory: this is a huge mural painted on a mogote, depicting natural evolution. Entrance fee about 3 USD.
4. Viñales Botanical Garden: exhibits a vast collection of Cuban flora. Admission by suggested donation of US$1.
5. Palenque de los Cimarrones: a historic site celebrating Afro-Cuban culture with music and dance. Approximate admission: 2 USD.
6. Jutías Key: white-sand beach with snorkelling and diving options. Free access, but transport can cost around 20-30 USD from Viñales.
7. Fábrica de Tabaco Francisco Donatién: a tour to learn about Cuban cigar production. Free tour; cigars available for purchase.
8. Cayo Levisa: accessible by ferry, it offers pristine beaches and is ideal for relaxing or snorkelling. Cost of the ferry and beach entrance fee is around 25 USD.
9. La Güira National Park: is a park to enjoy the tranquillity and natural beauty. Entrance fee approximately 2 USD.
10. Finca Robaina: visit to one of Cuba’s most famous tobacco plantations. Price per guided tour about 10 USD.

7. Organise a trip with friends to Pinar del Rio

 Travelling to Pinar del Rio with friends can be an unforgettable adventure when the trip is well organised and there is compatibility between the interests of the members of the group. That’s why, before embarking on a trip with your best friends, it is advisable to talk about the interests and expectations of each one to avoid conflicts. In this post we delve deeper into the advantages and disadvantages of travelling with friends, and give you tips for travelling in a group: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

For organising a group trip, the Passporter App will help you with all the preparations. The app allows everyone in the group to actively participate in the creation of the itinerary, ensuring that each stop includes the points of interest of everyone in the group. You can also keep an organised record of all the plans, making it easier to plan.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Pinar del Rio

• To travel to Cuba it is necessary to apply for a visa which can be processed online: Cuba travel visas: How to obtain a visa to travel to Cuba?
• Remember that if you are travelling from the United States you will need to apply for a different visa and travel authorization: What do I need to travel to Cuba from the United States.
• The currency used in Cuba is the Cuban peso.
• Although Spanish is the predominant language, English is also widely understood.
• It is advisable to carry a first-aid kit with essential medicines, due to possible shortages in pharmacies.
• Remember that credit and debit cards issued by US banks are not accepted in Cuba; therefore, it is necessary to carry cash for exchange into local currency.
• Be covered for medical emergencies with compulsory travel insurance. Choose a good travel insurance, like Mondo.
• To avoid health problems, drink only bottled water and avoid ice.
• Sun protection is a must, along with appropriate clothing for the heat that also protects you from sun exposure. And staying well hydrated is vital.
• Keep your travel documents accessible at all times.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Pinar del Rio

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents…
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to Pinar del Río.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter. 

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to the Pinar del Rio