Pinar del Rio is the capital of the province with the same name. Known for being the largest tobacco producer, you will find many different things to see and do in the region. From museums and palaces to green spaces and beaches, among other places, you won’t get bored in Pinar del Rio. We will also help you to create your trip itinerary quickly and easily with the Passporter app.
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Things to do in Pinar del Rio
1. Francisco Donatien Cigar Factory
Being in the city that is the largest producer of tobacco, you can’t miss a visit to this factory. Here you can learn about the whole production process of one of the most popular products in the world.
Firstly, you can appreciate the whole process step by step, from rolling the tobacco leaves up to the addition of flavourings. This is authentic and artisanal work, with each stage in the production process being done by hand. Something very important is the explanation of how the different characteristics of each cigar are achieved through the different combinations of leaves.
If you want to discover the whole process of harvesting the leaves used in the factory, you can visit several tobacco plantations in Pinar de Río.
2. San Rosendo Cathedral
The Cathedral of San Rosendo is a slender religious building located on Antonio Maceo Street, and it has a large garden to stroll around. We recommend visiting inside to discover some of its most important features.
Among them is the main altar dedicated to San Rosendo, patron saint of the city, along with the choir and pulpit made of precious wood. It also has beautiful ornamentation, especially on the ceiling and wooden chandeliers, and all this with free admission!
3. Guayabita del Pinar Beverage Factory
Guayabita del Pinar Rum is a liqueur made from a variety of guava called guayabita del Pinar, and is one of the most famous rums. That is why you should visit the Casa Garay Factory, where you can learn all about the production of the “Guayabita del Pinar”.
Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.
4. Milanés Theater
Also known as José Jacinto Milanés Theater, it’s the most important theater in Pinar del Rio. Its attractive colonial architecture in neoclassical style will make you want to study its structure up close. Made of wood and with 540 ancient seats, it’s one of the oldest theaters in Latin America!
5. Provincial Museum of Pinar del Rio
In this museum you can appreciate the growth and evolution of the capital of the province, Pinar del Río, from the archaeological discoveries to important events of recent history.
The collection that you can see is made up of a variety of heritage objects, such as furniture and glassware from the 19th century, weapons from the War of Independence, archaeological pieces and even some works of art by Cuban artists.
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.
Beaches to visit in Pinar del Rio
1. Cayo Levisa
During your stay in Pinar del Río, take the opportunity to learn a little more about this province and dive into this beach. It’s undeniably captivating due to its crystal-clear, clean and refreshing water, which makes this beach so popular and loved by travelers and locals.
This is an amazing beach, where you will also find restaurants with exquisite service, an ideal activity to enjoy and share with the family.
2. Cayo Jutías
Cayo Jutías is one of the most important and most visited keys in the province of Pinar del Río, on the northern coast. It is an unspoilt island of white sand and crystal clear waters, where you can spend a morning or afternoon enjoying unbeatable tranquillity.
Its waters are home to a large number of marine life, with starfish being especially famous in the area. You will be able to immerse yourself in a dreamy combination of sea and lush vegetation, especially if you visit this cay at sunset.
3. María La Gorda Beach
Especially characteristed by its crystal clear waters and a perfect seabed for diving, María La Gorda is one of the most beautiful beaches in Pinar del Río.
You will be totally impressed by the pure nature of the place whilst practicing one of the most fun water activities in the world. Its peculiar name is due to an indigenous Venezuelan woman named María, who was kidnapped by pirates and later abandoned on the island. It is one of the most recommended beaches for scuba diving, where you can observe a variety marine species, including impressive corals and sea turtles.
4. Guanahacabibes
Visiting the Guanahacabibes peninsula has to top your list of things to do in the province of Pinar del Río. It is in the westernmost part of the island of Cuba, and is a place with a important underwater cultural heritage.
This territory has an abundant and varied biodiversity, besides being an important geopolitical area for Cuba. It has one of the most important national parks in the country, known as the Guanahacabibes National Park. You can enjoy a natural environment that will leave you speechless in a space covering almost 40,000 hectares.
Things to do around Pinar del Rio
1. Viñales Valley
The Viñales Valley is mainly made up of rounded mountains, better known as Mogotes. They can reach a height of 25 metres, but their most characteristic feature is their oval shape.
These mogotes represent, to a large extent, the main tourist attraction in this valley. Once at the top, you will be amazed by the views and the fresh air.
Apart from the famous mogotes, there is lush endemic vegetation, with more than 60 species; among them, the cork palms.
In the Viñales Valley you will also find the Cueva del Indio, an impressive place full of history and surprises. With a guided tour you can have an unforgettable experience in a unique natural environment.
2. Las Terrazas
Las Terrazas is one of the most beautiful natural beauties of the province of Artemisa, bordering with Pinar del Río. It is a sustainable community known worldwide, and it is only 45 minutes away from Havana. In Las Terrazas you can enjoy an urban area that is in perfect harmony with the natural environment.
You can take a trip to Las Terrazas to escape the hustle and bustle of the cities and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of absolute peace. Take a walk along its many wild paths whilst getting to know the local flora and fauna, or take a boat ride on its beautiful lake, enjoy some of its most traditional dishes and even go horseback riding through the forests. You’ll love it!
Things to do in Pinar del Rio in 1 day
- San Rosendo Cathedral
- Provincial Museum of Pinar del Rio
- Milanés Theatre
- Guayabita del Pinar Beverage Factory
Things to do in Pinar del Rio in 2 day
- Cayo Levisa
- Cayo Jutías
- Guanahacabibes
- María la Gorda
Things to do in Pinar del Rio in 3 day
- Viñales Valley
- Cueva del Indio
- Las Terrazas
- Los Mogotes
Where to stay in Pinar del Rio?
First of all, we recommend the Casa Colonial La Nonna. This beautiful colonial-style accommodation has been renovated inside, where you’ll find comfortable rooms with super spacious terraces. You will also find a number of antique objects.
Another of our accommodation recommendations is Villa Manuela, a colourful guesthouse that is very popular with travellers. It is mainly known for its good service, as well as its bar, restaurant, laundry service, wifi and other facilities. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and are very well acclimatised.
If you prefer to stay in a hotel, we recommend the following options:
1. Hotel Pinar del Río
2. Hotel Vueltabajo
3. Hotel Horizontes Los Jazmines.
How to prepare your trip to Pinar del Rio?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organized way and according to the days and places you want to see in Pinar del Rio.
With the app you you can:
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save your tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
- Find out the best travel option for each place.
- Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip to Cuba?” you can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter!”
If you are interested in finding out more about how to get the most out of the app, you can check out our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Pinar del Río
You can get one of the best views from the viewpoint of the hotel “Los Jazmines”, from where you can see the whole city. From this viewpoint you can see the famous mogotes, one of the main attractions of Pinar del Río.
Pinar del Río is the capital of the province, and is one of the westernmost cities of the Cuban archipelago. It is bordered by the city of San Juan y Martínez to the west, while Viñales borders it to the north.
Like any good Caribbean city, it is bathed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, which offers such attractive coasts.
Getting to Pinar de Río is much easier than getting to other cities, as it is a local area quite close to central areas such as Havana. If you are in a central city, you can get to this provincial capital by train, bus, taxi or private car.
The train, which is the cheapest and fastest way, costs just over US$7, while other means of transport such as buses can cost as much as US$30.
– Hotel Pinar del Río
– Hotel Vueltabajo
– Hotel Horizontes Los Jazmines
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