Pinar del Rio Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

In contrast to its neighboring tourist attraction Viñales, Pinar del Rio is not a touristy city. As such amenities, while available, are more modest than those in cities such as Havana or Cienfuegos. Despite this, Pinar del Rio is a clean, laid-back city in stark contrast to Cuba's other cities.

22°24′58″N 83°41′47″W

Map of Pinar del Rio

• 22.4157-83.69241 Bus terminal. (updated Apr 2015)

Viazul^{[dead link]} has twice daily buses between Havana and Viñales that stop in Pinar del Rio’s bus terminal. The bus from Havana takes about 3 hr. There’s one morning bus from Viñales to Trinidad. Be sure to download the schedule from their website in advance.

Shared colectivos are typically waiting in Havana at the Viazul bus stop and are typically CUC15 per person to either Pinar del Rio, Viñales or Las Terrazas. For the return trip look for taxi touts near the bus terminal.

• 22.42807-83.686622 Colectivos to Viñales (at the junction near the Provincial Hospital). CUC1 (some bargaining may be required). (updated Apr 2015)

There is a slow overnight train from Havana on alternate days that arrives very early in the morning; the return train to Havana runs during the day.

• 22.4108-83.69063 Train station. (updated Apr 2015)

A taxi from Havana starts from CUC60.

The city center is easily walkable on foot.

Pinal del Rio is famous for the pillars. Walking through the city, you’ll notice that with only few exceptions, every house has front pillars.

• 22.41376-83.69431 Park (Calle Colon). Trees cover this small stretch of green and benches allow to relax from the otherwise busy city. (updated Apr 2015)

There’s a number of supermarkets, including:

• 22.41572-83.696471 Supermarket (Martí / Gerardo Medina). (updated Apr 2015)
• 22.4151-83.693682 Book shop (Martí / Colon). (updated Apr 2015)

There’s also at least two different banks with ATMs on the main street (Marti):

• 22.41593-83.697141 Canadian bank (Martí near Parque Roberto Amarán). (updated Apr 2015)
• 22.4151-83.69342 Unnamed bank (green) (Martí / Rafael Ferro). (updated Apr 2015)

The city center (e.g. around the bus station) provides plenty of street food.

• 22.4177-83.69353 ETECSA office. There’s usually a very large crowd waiting outside. Wi-Fi is readily available in most public areas, such as parks and squares. Look for open areas, and you'll see large groups on their phones or laptops. (updated Apr 2015)

• Don’t miss the national park near Viñales
• Make a brief stop in Las Terazzas before going back to Havana
• Go further east to the Guanahacabibes Peninsula and its national park