We spent our 3rd day in Finales Valley, and it was the longest day but to be honest didn’t really feel like it. Vinales is about a 3 hour drive from Havana so it’s quite a trek. Our airbnb host ordered us a cab and for 160 dollars; our driver drove us 6 hours and stayed with us during our entire time there.
We were able to learn about how cigars are made, and I even got to try one. After about 2 or 3 puffs I was done! I could never be a smoker.
Afterwards, we visited the coffee farm which we got to via horse. This was my first time riding a horse alone and it was amazing! I was apprehensive at first but my nerves quickly calmed, and wish that I’d rode the horse longer. We paid about 20 dollars to ride the horse to and from the coffee farm, which was really affordable. We got to see how coffee is made in cuba and we got to try the Cuban honey. My mother loves honey, so I bought her a bottle of honey. It’s so liquid and the taste is OUT of this world. They also had Cuban rum, I’m not much of a drinker so I didn’t purchase any. We were told that the rum purchase was limited to two bottles per person since it’s limited. I think they make about 10,000 each year.
After the farm, we went to the Caves in Vinales; it’s so beautiful but it was really hot after being in the cave with no air for about 30 minutes with a lot of people. We rode a little boat after the cave to get back to the grounds. The cave cost about 5 dollars and I think it was worth it. I highly recommend it, if you’re claustrophobic then, I’d reconsider.
The food in Vinales was amazing! It was the next best thing to the lobster in Old Havana. After dinner we headed back to Havana but first stopped to see look out point. The view was absolutely gorgeous.
There were people who were dressed in customer and would ask to take photos with you, and if you do they expect you to tip so just be mindful of that.