Rock Climbing
Viñales Cuba

Viazul Bus 

This is the cheapest option for $12, and was the way we traveled to Viñales.

We took the bus from Havana at the bus terminal on Avenida 26, Havana, Cuba. The trip takes between 4-5 hours. 

Check their schedules and buy tickets on their web page.

You can also take a taxi for $70 to $100 from La Habana. 

In Cuba the best option is generally to stay in a “Casa Particular”. Some of them, like Yamile, the house where we stayed in Viñales, have their house published on Airbnb. Here is the link to the house.  Very good price and on the road to the climbing sector closest to the town. When you arrive at most of these private houses they will offer to prepare food for you. 

We accepted and with a breakfast meal we were able to eat breakfast and lunch as they are very generous.

Viñales is a small town with very friendly people. As in every town there is a main square. In Viñales is called Parque Martí, where you will always see locals chatting, dancing in the municipal hall or visiting the church Corazón de Jesús.

Prehistoric mural

In the mural you can see, in twelve pieces, the evolutionary process of man and animals in the Sierra de los Órganos, in its different stages. Thus, in the mural are represented the Guanahatabeyes Indians, also species of mammals, gigantic animals, and some mollusks.

The mural is repainted from time to time for its conservation.

Cave of the Indian

The Viñales Valley is a karst area perforated by lots of caves, our favorite was this one. Because it is a cave with a subway river that is visited first on foot and then mounted on a boat. The entrance fee is $5.

Casa del Veguero

It is one of the most famous tobacco plantations. Depending on the season of the year you will see it with some plants or others  in summer they plant corn and in winter tobacco).

Beach day to Cayo Jutias

There are two beach excursions from Viñales, Cayo Jutías and Cayo Levisa. The first one is the most accessible from Viñales and can be a perfect day trip. The price for transportation is $15 per person round trip and you can hire it at any of the agencies in the main square.

“Mogotes” are extraordinary geomorphological limestone formations, which are found nowhere else in Cuba. They are among the oldest rocks in Cuba and the last proof that in this area there was a huge limestone plain. Elevations like these exist in very few parts of the world, and the ones that most resemble it are in China (Huey Ling), Vietnam (Hi Fong) and Thailand.

Mogotes belong to the Mesozoic Era, from the Upper Jurassic to the Upper Cretaceous (161 to 65 million years ago). The history of the formation of the Caribbean Sea is preserved in these rocks, and they contain the fossil remains of animals and plants that inhabited it until 65 million years ago.

The climbing styles that you can find in the different sectors in Viñales are very varied, but tuffas and overhanging climbing predominate. Get ready to fly and get completely off the rock and climb on 3D rock formations.

You can buy the complete guidebook of Viñales made by locals in Raul Reyes tobbaco farm.

The sectors

In the valley of Viñales you will find several climbing sectors, the closest to the village and most frequently visited is Mogote Del Valle, you can reach it on foot in about 20 minutes crossing the Raul Reyes coffee farm. 

A few kilometers away you will find other sectors such as Cuba Libre Wall, Palenque Wall and La Costanera at 11.5 km from the town of Viñales where one of the most popular routes is located, Mucho Pompito, the best 7a in the world according to local climbers. 

Equipment and recommendations

Most of the routes in Viñales are sport routes but there are some very good routes like Mucho Pompito where you need equipment for multi pitch and rappel.

A 70-meter rope is necessary and 15 quickdraws. Bring enough water, sunglasses, sunscreen and cool clothes. The sun can be very intense almost all year round. In the rainy season there are usually many mosquitoes, bring repellent. 

Dangers

Rock climbing is a high-risk sport that can lead to serious injuries and even death. In order to access the climbing routes the following is necessary: Specialized equipment in good condition for rock climbing.

Knowledge of belaying, anchors, knots and rappel of some of the people visiting the area.

Helmet and belay equipment.