Introduction
Pinar del Rio, Cuba's westermost province, is a land of mogotes (round-topped hills),
tobacco, valleys surrounded by mountains and an exotic, rich flora and fauna.
It also features the Vinales Valley, a 132-square-kilometer area that has been deemed
a National Natural Monument. Its impressive rounded mountains are called mogotes
by local residents. They date from as far back as the Jurassic period and are covered
with rich and varied vegetation. There are also many caves of great interest to
speleologists. Among them, the Santo Tomas system stands out with its more than
45 kilometers of galleries.
Viñales practically invites visitors to stroll through its confines, observing all
the indigenous species in their natural splendor.
Among the attractions of the province along with some of the best tobacco plantations
in the world—are Cueva del Indio, Abra del Ancón, Sierra del Infierno, Valle de
las Dos Hermanas, Hoyo de Jaruco and Valle de San Vicente. Caridad's Botanical Garden
and Los Acuáticos, a rural community where health problems are treated with restorative
waters, are also worth mentioning.
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