Pinar del Rio

Pinar del Rio is a city in the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio.

Understand

In contrast to its neighbouring 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.

Get in

By bus

• 🌍 Bus terminal. (updated Apr 2015)

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

By train

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.

• 🌍 Train station. (updated Apr 2015)

By taxi

A taxi from Havana starts from 60 CUC. Shared collectivos are typically waiting in Havana at the Viazul bus stop and are typically 15 CUC per person to either Pinar del Rio, Viñales or Las Terrazas. For the return trip look for taxi touts near the bus terminal.

• 🌍 Collectivos to Viñales (at the junction near the Provincial Hospital). 1 CUC (some bargaining may be required). (updated Apr 2015)

Get around

The city center is easily walkable on foot.

See

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.

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

Do

Buy

There’s a number of supermarkets, e.g.

• 🌍 Supermarket (Martí / Gerardo Medina). (updated Apr 2015)
• 🌍 Book shop (Martí / Colon). (updated Apr 2015)

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

• 🌍 Canadian bank (Martí near Parque Roberto Amarán). (updated Apr 2015)
• 🌍 Unnamed bank (green) (Martí / Rafael Ferro). (updated Apr 2015)

Eat

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

Drink

Sleep

Connect

• 🌍 ETECSA office. There’s usually a very large crowd waiting outside. Wifi 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)

Go next

• 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