There's plenty of lovely beaches in Cuba, but this is special. While other beaches are all palm trees/blue water club med cliches (not that there's anything wrong with that) this is the only place where you'll feel like Captain Jack Sparrow might just be lurking behind the next mangrove tree. You'll wish you brought a treasure map to this (almost) desert island.

Google map: bit.ly/ya7GCt

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The image of Vinales is one of verdant fields of tobacco and deep red soil, but a journey of just one hour takes you to one of Cuba’s finest beaches. Cayo Jutias is easily reached on a day trip from Vinales, and is well worth it. A white sandy beach, clear blue water, mangroves, and very few other visitors make for a relaxing time. The Cubanacan package includes transport and lunch at the only restaurant on the beach.

Arrangements: Cubanacan office on the main street. Tour costs CUC$22 and leaves at 9am.
www.cubanacan.cu/
Google map: bit.ly/gusTXX

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A hike through Vinales Valley is much more than just a nature ramble, it is a cultural experience. The valley is stunningly beautiful, with limestone karst “mogotes” rising straight up from the fields, lush green fields and rust-coloured soil that produce tobacco and coffee. But it is also home to caves, thatched tobacco houses with leaves drying from the rafters, farmers who roll cigars on their knees, and the 120-metre Mural de la Prehistoria on the side of a mountain. There are several guides that can be arranged to lead a tour that takes in all of the above, plus a stop for coffee in a local farmhouse, but Omar comes recommended.

Arrangements: Cubanacan office on the main street, or ask at your Casa Particular.

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In a town replete with casas particulares it is hard to stand out in Vinales, but Casa Brunilda manages it handily. Aside from the nice room and outdoor sitting area, the main reason is the woman herself: Brunilda has a great sense of humour, loves to chat, and is the best cook in Cuba. Seriously. Each meal was a banquet, made all the more remarkable by the fact that it was all whipped up on stoves in the back garden. Insist on trying the bean soup...

Rafael Trejo No 107 e/ Adela Azcuy y C. Maragoto, Vinales.
+5348796044
www.bbinnvinales.com
Google map: bit.ly/egfDzN

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I loved this casa particular. We were only there for two nights but it was clean, comfy and incredibly welcoming. My Spanish is not great, and my friend's was not existent. It didn't matter, Clara and Roberto were by far and away the most accomodating hosts I came across in Cuba.  
Comfy beds - yes
Hot water - yes
En suite - yes
Spotless accommodation - yes
Really good food - yes
English Speaking - no (but the neighbours daughter and son-in-law do)

Joaquín Pérez 23, Viñales, Pinar del Rio
(5348) 696787
www.mycasaparticular.com/es/propiedad/detalle.php?id=23
Google map: tinyurl.com/35jk722
20-25 CUC


Tel - 53 (48) 696 787

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Staying in Vinales at Casa Lucilo y Nirma was one of the highlights of our trip to Cuba!

The Casa is clean, safe, and Lucilo and Nirma were extremely friendly. They can arrange anything extra that you need in Vinales, have great ideas on what to do, and on top of all that Nirma is a great Chef!

They can also arrange any other Casas you may need for the rest of your trip in Cuba.

After long days of hiking and sightseeing around Vinales, our air conditioned room, and garden terrace at the casa were the perfect way to completely relax.

Vinales itself is a wonderful Cuban village. The town and surrounding area are picturesque perfect with beautiful tobacco fields, brightly painted Cuban houses and shops, and the amazing topography of the Vinales valley mountains as well that surround you.

If you are going to Cuba I highly visiting Vinales... and if you are going to Vinales then go to Casa Lucilo y Nirma where you will experience great Cuban hospitality and be treated like family!

I can`t wait to go again!

They were nice enough to meet us at the local bus station! See their web page for more info...

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It is a Casa Particular registered for visitors to stay. Wonderful room in the the family home, vegetarian food especially for us no problem and very welcoming.

Casa Lucilo y Nirma
Pasaje Camilo Cienfuegos #52
Vinales CP 22400
Pinar del Rio
Cuba
Contact yunior crespo garces
E-Mail: yloveslife@yahoo.com

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I have only been to Cuba twice. The first time was at an all inclusive resort in Veradero which was disappointing. The second was at a Casa Particulare in Vinales - Casa Lucilo y Nirma.

Vinales is an amazing place. It is a small town next to a national park. It was the Cuba I was looking for. Although reliant upon tourism, they seemed to have maintained their authenticity. The people are friendly and the outdoors activities are plentiful.

There are a couple of large hotels, but the place is chock full of Casa Particulares (small family homes that rent out rooms). Lucilo and Nirma rent out two rooms. Both are air conditioned, have private baths, are very clean, and is centrally located.

More importantly, both Lucio and Nirma are very friendly, and will go out of the way to help you and make you feel at home. They speak English and Nirma is an amazing cook (she will make wonderful dinners for you for an additional modest cost).

Just one tip - remember that they are at Pasajes Camilo Cienfuegos #52, not just Camilo Cienfuegos (The Pasajes part puts you in a different part of town than the no Pasajes part).

Go to Vinales, stay with Lucio and Nirma. You will not regret finding that parts of the true Cuba still exist.

Casa Lucilo y Nirma, Pasajes Camilo Cienfuego Vinales Cuba

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Staying at The Big House was one of the highlights of our holiday in Cuba. Why? Because the host Arturo is one of the coolest people you could wish to come across.

He is fun, warm and friendly - undoubtedly you will end up chatting and laughing over a late night beer with him and his friends in one of Vinales' simple but welcoming bars. If you’re not a Spanish speaker the most important thing is that Arturo has excellent English, so you can really connect with your host - something that frustrated us on our travels as we met so many lovely people who we struggled to communicate with using our paltry Spanish!

He has two rooms both with a private bathroom and a lovely outside area - perfect for pre-dinner drinks and some of his delicious home made potato chips. Dinner was a tasty, extensive spread of fresh fish, chicken, great rice and beans and plenty of fruit and veg and salad. Oh, and flan for pudding - not what we’d call flan in the UK - more like a creme caramel (which normally I hate but this I loved!). He'll also take care of ensuring the fridge is always full of beer and water. Breakfast is typically Cuban - coffee, fresh juice, eggs, bread and fruit.

The house is literally the Big House, dwarfing all the neighbours thanks to a capacious roof, and it's located in a quiet road just off the main drag. Vinales is well worth the visit as all the guidebooks say, sweet little town in stunning scenery with plenty to do nearby or a reasonable drive away - walking, horseriding and an hour away from the beautiful, unspoilt Caya Levissa beach. Arturo can help organise and pre-book these for you.

The Big House Rafael Trejo #33, Vinales Pinar Del Rio Cuba CP 22400 Tel: 048 793342
Email: lusien@correodecuba.cu

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