The Viñales Valley has made the province of Pinar del Río world-famous, as it has been inscribed on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List for many reasons. Amazing landscapes with a rich landscape, an extensive system of caves and mineral water springs, unusual rock formations "mogotes", many traces of prehistoric settlements, a plantation of the world's best tasty black tobacco - all this makes the Viñales Valley area a unique destination for tourists and travellers from all corners of the world.
Covering an area of 132 square kilometres, the valley has been designated a National Natural Monument because of its extraordinary wealth of flora and fauna. It is the most striking example of a karst valley in the whole of Cuba. From the flat and level ground grow unusual rocks, some of them reaching a height of 400 metres. They are called "mogotes". The amazing limestone formations are believed to be up to 160 million years old. The locals call the rocks "the backs of elephants". As already mentioned, the flora is the pride of the valley. There are various species of fruit, ornamental and medicinal plants: seiba tree, caiman oak, unusual palm Mycrocycas calocoma, which is considered a living legacy of the Jurassic period. These rare plants are collected in the botanical garden of the Casa de Caridad, which is in the north-eastern part of the valley. During harvest time here, tourists are treated to delicious local fruits.
Another attraction in the valley is the "Prehistoric Mural". On a steep cliff 120 metres high, prehistoric animals and people are depicted in bright colours. Celia Sanchez's idea was realised by Cuban artist Leovihildo Gonzalez, who was a student of the famous Mexican Diego Rivera.
