Pinar del Río: ecological tourism of candor and nature. The music of Polo Montañez

What made me travel for the first time to the westernmost province of Cuba, Pinar del Río, was the beauty of the landscapes. Later it was its people, its tobacco crops, the music of Polo Montañez, the exotic caves, its keys and the Viñales valley.

How did we meet the people of Pinar del Río for the first time? Maybe a little because of the stories that flow from anywhere, fresh and teasing. In many of them their intelligence is questioned, despite the reality that they have said the last word: that they build theaters and leave the concrete plant inside that they mistake a microwave for a television or simply that they go up a foot and the cords of the one they left below are tied.

Since its baptism, the unusual has been like a seal of distinction: one of the first names given to Pinar del Río was Río Feo, for a savannah, next to the herd of Alonso Rojas, Marqués de San Felipe and Santiago; as you would expect one of the places of exquisite beauty. In 1699 the town would be founded; However, following the whims of the area, not even the establishment of the first hermitage, in 1710, determined the establishment of its population. This was achieved only later through the cultivation of tobacco: with the distribution of lots and the beginning of production.

Nature tourism is its greatest treasure. From this western part of Cuba, a highly sustainable ecological tourism develops. The Thermal Baths, in San Diego de los Baños; the Casa del Veguero; the Camping Dos Hermanas, the Indian Cave, the Great Cavern of Santo Tomás, become attractions for visitors.

The Hotel Ermita is surrounded by regions of exquisite beauty, either for its comfort or its location. Although, if you want more direct contact with the people and their local traditions, we recommend rental houses in Viñales with lower accommodation prices.

The peasant community Los Acuáticos, for their part, have developed their variants of thalassotherapy with curative secrets with the exclusive use of water. These therapies and others where minerals are used have become common in the region. It is a place very visited by nationals or foreigners who make tours and tours to Cuba.

The Sierra de los Órganos to the center and the Sierra del Rosario to the east exhibit heights of over 600 meters. This is the region that is called Cordillera de Guaniguanico. For the daring, it offers the best conditions for safe camping. They just have to venture to find the Loma de Seboruco, which at 671 meters constitutes the maximum height of the province or the Guamacho Gallery, in the Great Cavern of Santo Tomás, with an opening in the Sierra de Quemado and more than 25 km long, therefore it has been considered the largest in Latin America. Other attractions are: the Mural of Prehistory in Viñales; the Jutía and Levisa keys; the María la Gorda and Laguna Grande International Diving Center in Sandino; in addition to its Bailén, Las Canas and Pajarito beaches.

From my travels I always remember the melody of Guitarra Mía, a composition by Polo Montañez that is widely listened to in Cuba. I remember friends and delicious Creole food combined with the natural panorama, a mixture of peace and adventure.

Have you visited Pinar del Río? Do you know the music of Polo Montañez?