Page 88 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

86 ❯❯ Cuba Area by Area

Viñales
4
MAP B2 • Casa de Don Tomás:
Calle Salvador Cisneros 140; (48) 79
6300 • Casa de la Cultura: Calle José
Martí 5; (48) 77 8128; adm • Centro de
Visitantes: 1 mile (1.6 km) SW of Viñales;
(48) 79 6144; open 8am–8pm daily
The agricultural community of Viñales
has preserved the colonial architec-
ture of this tiny village. The main
street is lined with red-tile-roofed
cottages fronted by columned arcades.
The Casa de Don Tomás, a replica of Viñales church
the 1822 building destroyed in 2008
by a hurricane, is now a restau rant. ranches. The Finca El Pinar Vegas
A church stands over Parque Martí, Robaina, a private tobacco finca
where the Casa de la Cultura hosts (ranch) owned by renowned far mer
cultural activities. A visitor center Alejandro Robaina, is worth a visit.
sits atop a mogote nearby (see p17). Parque Nacional
Pinar del Río
Península de
5 7
Guanahacabibes
MAP B3 • Fábrica de Tabacos
Francisco Donatién: (48) 77 3069; open MAP A3 • (48) 75 0366 • Adm
9am–noon & 1–4pm Mon–Fri; adm • www.ecovida.cu
Founded in 1669, this is a peaceful Occupying a slender peninsula jutting
town with a sloping main street lined into the Gulf of Mexico at the western
with eclectic buildings, many with tip of Cuba (see p50), this park –
Art Nouveau facades. The Palacio de a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve –
Guasch stands out for its flamboyant protects a rare dry forest habitat.
exterior. The town is a center of Endangered mammals such as the
tobacco processing and is home to endemic jutía and solenodon exist
the Fábrica de Tabacos Francisco here, as do deer, wild pigs, iguanas,
Donatién, the local cigar factory. and more than 170 bird species.
Guided hikes are offered from the
Vuelta Abajo
6 Ecological Station. A sandy track
runs to Cabo San Antonio, marked
MAP B3 • Finca El Pinar San
Luís, Vegas Robaina • (48) 79 7470 by a lighthouse built in 1849.
• Open 9am–5pm Mon–Sat • Adm
Cayo Largo
for guided tours 8
To the west of the provincial capital, MAP F4
these fertile plains center ed on the Lined with white-sand beaches,
town of San Juan y Martínez are Cayo Largo offers horseback riding,
famed for their tobacco. The leaves, sailing, and scuba diving. Excursions
protect ed from the sun by fine whisk you off to nearby isles that
netting, are cured in traditional are home to flamingos and iguanas.
Accommodations range
from a fishing lodge to
4-star all-inclusives
(see p127). The island
is popular for excur-
sions from Havana
and Varadero and
for nude sunbathing.
Beachside resort
at Cayo Largo

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