To stay at La Ermita is to stay close to nature. Overlooking the breathtaking expanse of the Viñales Valley, the hotel is an ideal starting point for any exploration of one of Cuba’s most beautiful destinations, of natural formations as unique as the mogotes and human practices as ancient as the work of farmers you’ll come across on the valley floor.

You’d think such natural and historical treasures could only be preserved in a remote, isolated location, but they are only a short trip away from Havana, and getting there couldn’t be easier.

Renting a car is a way to add flexibility to your trip and is becoming an increasingly popular option with visitors. The trip – which has no shortage of scenic routes – will take you from 1.5 to 2 hours, and there are several fantastic places along the way you can explore on rented wheels, such as Las Terrazas complex. A long, winding road connects Pinar del Rio to Viñales, and the mountain road from Peninsula de Guanahacabibes through Guane and Pons is reportedly one of Cuba’s most spectacular. La Ermita has plenty of parking space, and Viñales (or anywhere else you may wish to go), will certainly seem all the closer once there.

If you’d rather not drive during your stay in Cuba, Viazul coaches are your best bet. Leaving daily from Havana, the bus passes near beautiful Soroa and makes a stop in Pinar del Rio before continuing towards Viñales. The trip lasts around 3.15 hours and is very affordable (around 13 CUC).

Once there, you can avail yourself of the Viñales Bus Tour, a hop-on hop-off bus which operates nine times a day and connects the valley’s main sites. The whole tour, which lasts around an hour and five minutes, begins and ends at the village’s main park.