The province of Pinar del Río is
Cuba's third largest and located on the
western tip of the island. It is known for
its natural beauty, dramatic landscapes,
and incredible scenery and for producing
some of the best tobacco and cigars in the
world. Pinar del Río is considered by many
to be the most beautiful province in Cuba.
The small city of Pinar del Río (125,000),
about 110 miles west of Havana, is the most
important town in the province with the
same name. It is named for the many pine
trees found in the area when the city was
originally founded. The city has many neo-classical
buildings and other architecture. A bank,
bookstore, library and museum are also found
in this city.
Located in a valley with the same name,
the beautiful town of Viñales is
a national monument. It is a photographer's
paradise. A unique string of limestone buttes
called mogotes are a prominent feature
of this area. There are also many nearby
caves worth exploring. The best known is
the Indian Cave which may actually be explored
by taking a boat ride through underground
caverns. You can also do rock climbing,
hiking, and horseback riding and there are
two mineral water spas, San Vicente
and San Diego de los Baños. The latter
is about 90 miles southwest of Havana. Noted
for its scenic beauty, Soroa in the
Sierra de Rosario Mountains, 60 miles
from Havana, is a botanical resort and nature
lover's dream come true. The 700 varieties
of orchids found in the garden have to be
seen to believe. There are some 35,000 square
kilometers devoted solely to orchids. A
mirador or lookout and impressive
waterfall are found nearby. While there,
you can stay at the hotel and dine at the
Castillo de las Nubes (the Castle
of the Clouds) located on the highest peak
in the area. The panoramic view is unparalleled.
The beaches found in this province are less
accessible and less developed than those
found in other areas. Cayo Levisa
is on a small key off the north coast of
this province. By far the best beaches in
the province are found here. There are some
offshore reefs and the diving is excellent.
Playa María la Gorda is a nice beach
in Bahía de Corrientes at the extreme
southwest tip.
The Island of the Youth or Isla de la
Juventud, known originally as the Island
of the Pines before the revolution, lies
about 30 miles off the south coast of Cuba,
at the mouth of the Gulf of Batabanó.
It is the largest of Cuba's offshore islands.
It is said to be the place Robert Louis
Stevenson had in mind when he wrote Treasure
Island, because, allegedly, there is
a pirate treasure buried there. The island
has plenty of virgin beaches you can explore.
The many off shore ship wrecks, underwater
caves, coral reefs, abundance of marine
life and crystal clear water offer some
of the best diving in the Caribbean, especially
between Point Francés and Point
Pedernales. Punta del Este has
a beautiful beach and caves nearby. Nueva
Gerona is the island's largest town.
About 75 miles east of The Island of the
Youth lies the resort Cayo Largo.
This 16 mile-long island is a place you
go to "get away from it all."
The endless white sand beaches and crystal
clear water make it a good place to relax
and participate in a number of water sports
like horseback riding, snorkeling, fishing,
sailing, diving and windsurfing. This spot
is popular with vacationing Europeans. If
you are a person who likes this type of
laid back resort atmosphere and beach lifestyle,
either of the latter two resorts would be
suitable for you.
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