72 HOURS IN VIÑALES
Viñales Valley
Viñales
When we arrived in Viñales, a small town in western Cuba, I realized immediately that the experience would be completely different than in Havana, Cuba. Viñales reminded me of how it feels to be worry free, kind of similar to the life of a child.
Growing up in the country, I was surrounded by love, family and food. My grandmother used to cook three meals a day and made sure our stomachs were full. We would run outside barefoot and play in the backyard. I loved the simplicity of the life I had as a child. I used to be extremely happy with something as simple as picking dandelions outside. It made me realize how sweet the simple life can be. Growing up in a society full of materialistic things makes you want more and more; causing one to forget about the things that really matter the most.
I definitely recommend staying with a host family when traveling to Cuba to get the full cultural experience. My host family was so kind. Just by sitting on the porch and observing, I could see that their house was filled with love. Tati, the youngest of the household, was full of energy and joy and loved playing in the backyard with her cat. One day, her mother came home from work and brought her a cute little round top mushroom which immediately made Tati smile. This reminded me of myself when I was her age and what I strive to be everyday of my life; free of worries and stress.
Although Viñales is small, there is still a lot to do.
Here are a few things I recommend doing while in the valley.
Take Salsa Lessons
As you may know, Salsa is a very popular dance in the Cuban culture. We spent over 2 hours learning signature moves then mixing them all together to create a mind-blowing combination. To our surprise, Pina Coladas came along with the lessons. It was so fun that by the time we were finished, we didn’t even realize we had just received a great workout also.
Visit a Cigar Farm
Visit a local Cigar farm to see how cigars are produced from scratch. You'll also be able to put one to the test. I learned that by dipping a fresh cigar in honey gives it a more complex flavor. Even if you don't smoke, they're still cool souvenirs.
Eat A Delicious Organic Meal
We enjoyed lunch on the grounds of a local farm, at FincaParaiso Agroecologica (the agro-ecological Paradise Farm). This restaurant is well known for their fresh cuisine. They have lands of gardening which enables them to grow and pick everything they cook! They have a signature anti-stress cocktail, Cóctel Antiestrés, made out of all natural ingredients and herbs from their garden. I expected it to have a bitter taste, but to my surprise it tasted similar to a milkshake. Along with our cocktails, we indulged in an organic meal while overlooking the Valley and learned about Cuban agriculture and tobacco production. The food was unforgettably delicious.
(anti-stress cocktail)
Take A "Stroll" Through Viñales Valley
A walk through the Valley can be very tiring, however; the sightseeing is out of this world.
On the second day in Viñales, we were bamboozled into more than just a "stroll" through Viñales Valley. If I would’ve known that, I probably would’ve considered wearing something a little more sporty rather than the Beyonce “Lemonade” inspired dress.
Horseback riding through the Valley was also a great experience and definitely less tiring than walking in 90 degree weather.
Go Cave Exploring
Our "stroll" led us into a dark cave full of bats. I couldn't believe I climbed through the entire cave while wearing a dress.
Put Those Salsa Lessons To Good Use
Later that evening, we got to try our new moves. We hit up a local club in the square of the town to put those freshly learned Salsa skills to good use! Men were coming from left and right leading ladies to the middle of the dance floor to salsa. By the end of the night, or should I say morning, we were all exhausted from dancing. In my opinion, this was by far the best night of the trip.
Just Relax
Viñales is definitely a place of peace and simplicity. Our host family made us feel at home by preparing a fresh breakfast and dinner for us every day. Although we only stayed in Viñales for 3 days, I was a little sad leaving the peaceful environment. It was a mini break from the hustle and bustle of the Havana streets. However, we had to spend the last portion of the trip in Havana, completing the final mission of our trip.
