We booked a taxi to Vinales from Havana. We stayed at a casa particular, called Tres Caballeros for two nights. It was a lot easier to book than I expected. I have just sent the owner, Denis an email a few weeks in advance ( cl1gw@frcuba.co.cu ) and I have got a reply the next day with pictures of the rooms, local map and list of things to do in Vinales.
As soon as we arrived, we were welcome with freshly made mango juice and he organized everything for us right away - hiking trip around the valley and farms, taxi to Cayo jutias and taxi back to Havana.
Denis speaks perfect English and we really enjoy chatting with him. His mum and his wife are both great cook. We had both breakfast and dinner there and they were one of the best - delicious and very generous.
Breakfast - Fresh fruits, a selection of baked goods
Dinner
- Started off with freshly fried crisps, plantain, chicken soup
LOBSTERRRRRRRR
On the next day, we went for a guided walk around the valley
Most people go for horse riding but I'm not that keen :p
It was very hot and sunny but multiple stops for drinks helped.
Coconut, Pina colada freshly maade at the farm house.
We have been advised to go either earlier in the morning / late afternoon to avoid the blazing sun.
We were there in June so all the tobacco leaves were already been harvested.
I was disappointed at first but what we saw were lots of plants - guava, mango, avocado, pineapple etc.
We stopped by a tobacco farm and were shown how they make and roll cigars.
Hubby had some and apparently it was very good quality.
It was all organic - used fruit peels to ferment the tobacco leaves, used honey to seal.
Baby kitten
We went to the town centre. It's very small.
There are some shops and restaurants.
There is a bar next to the church and the guard from the hike told us there was a huge party in the evening with live band.
We had tapas at 3J Bar de Tapas
It was good :-)
On the next day, we went to Cayo Jutias - We miss the beach and we really need to cool down!
A swim at the beach was refreshing...
The water wasn't as clear as the Varadero beach
The beach is not big. We went on a weekday so it was OK but I've been told it could get very busy over the weekend.
It's quite well equipped - with toilet, shower and lockers.
There is a bar and restaurant
We asked the driver to drop us by hotel jasmine for the view
For dinner, we wemt to a farm house/restaurant - Finca Agroecologica El Paraiso
GO THERE AND YOU WILL NOT REGRET!
It's away from the town centre and apparently you should book.
We were very lucky as the taxi driver knows the owner and managed to get us a table.
Amazing view of valley from the restaurant
Live music
Food just didn't stop coming and it wasn't overly expensive
Loved their version of pina colada - called "Anti stress" - with cinnamon, fresh mint and basil.
The table was covered with food - for just the two of us.
Fresh veg from their farm
All sorts of meats to choose from.
Grilled pork
As we left Vinales, the driver dropped us to this place which apparently sells the best Cigars in Vinales
Sorry - I forgot the name of this place but there were lots of these buttery flowers and has a painting of a guitar? by the entrance
No comments:
Post a Comment