From the comfort of the hotels in Pinar del Río: nature tourism, Diving in María la Gorda

Pinar de Río is a must for those who prefer nature tourism. The number of visitors increases every year, either due to the need for contact with nature or a mixture of curiosity and adventure.

Entry by sea is through the María La Gorda International Diving Center, in the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, which for its value has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1987. The sea beds found in this area are considered among the 10 best diving spots in Latin America.

The hotel is located on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, in the municipality of Sandino. In addition to accommodation, it offers reservations for dive packages. It has the alternatives of at least 50 dive sites scattered in the crystal clear waters. El Cabezón de Ludo, El Salón de María, El Almirante, Yemayá, El Acuario, El Ancla de Francois and El Jardín de la Gorgonia are some of its natural attractions.

Divers give this place extraordinary value. All the coral reserves are relatively close to the coast; They have special characteristics, such as the coral formations of the black variety, among which marine species such as barracuda and snapper swim with their peculiar attractiveness.

To the west of María La Gorda we find the Levisa and Julia keys and to the south the Sijú, Real and Del Perro islets with the most diverse landscapes. They allow you to enjoy a beautiful view and healthy exercise.

The Cayo Levisa Hotel is located on a small island, on the north coast of the Pinar del Rio province, it is part of the Los Colorados archipelago.

The key is reached from the Palma Rubia pier, in a journey of about 30 minutes. The transfer is included leaving from Puerto Palma Rubia to Cayo Levisa, daily, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Outside these hours, the exclusive Taxi-Boats have a cost of 375.00 CUP from November 1, 2013.

The bungalows are independent, spacious and simple, built in pairs, one on top of the other. They were built strategically, to offer as much ocean view as possible. It is an excellent option for diving enthusiasts.

Those looking for sun and beach, hunting and fishing will also have good options in Cayo Levisa.

This hotel is not accessible to people with Cuban citizenship because the national authorities do not allow them to board or disembark at its port, regardless of dual nationality or country of residence.

A few kilometers outside the town of Viñales, we find the hotels, valued as three stars: La Ermita, Los Jazmines, and Rancho Horizontes San Vicente.

Hotel La Ermita is credited with fame for being the cradle of tobacco cultivation. It is surrounded by other regions of great beauty such as Palmarito and Ancón. The tourists who visit it have within their interests direct contact with the people and their local traditions. It offers horse riding, hiking and bird watching as options.

It has 62 standard rooms. They are characterized by simplicity and comfort. The bathrooms are modern and functional. From the private balconies furnished with chairs and coffee tables, you can enjoy beautiful views of the valley.

The Hotel Cubanacan Los Jazmines has been awarded a high value, as its height gives it one of the most beautiful views of the Viñales Valley. Year after year, visitors follow their trails through the fields.

Rancho San Vicente, for its part, is located on the banks of the river of the same name, just 38 km from the city of Pinar del Río. It has become one of the most visited hotels for lovers of nature tourism.

The inhabitants of the area have attributed mineral-medicinal properties to hypothermal waters and recommend them for therapeutic use. Massages, mud therapy, sulphurous baths are some of the most common practices in order to preserve and improve your health.

From the hotel you can easily access the Cueva del Indio and the Abra de Ancón, so the most daring enjoy hiking, canoeing through underground rivers and exploring caves.

Pinar del Río favors sustainability, preservation and appreciates both the natural and cultural environment. Researchers speak of ecotourism from multiple interpretations and end up considering “ethics” as one of the fundamental ingredients to maintain the balance between nature and man. You are in charge of saying if they are an example of this. What do you think of Pinar del Río?