Pinar del Rio

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

Understand
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.

By bus
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 hr. There’s one morning bus from Viñales to Trinidad. Be sure to download the schedule from their website in advance.

By colectivo
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.



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.

By taxi
A taxi from Havana starts from CUC60.

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.

Buy
There’s a number of supermarkets, including:

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

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

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