"Meeting new friends in Pinar del Rio" Top 5 Page for this destination Pinar del Río by Alain_Smeets

Pinar del Río Travel Guide: 42 reviews and 104 photos

A group of friends in Pinar del Rio (photo: Wim)

Persons on the photo: Marinette, Wim, Juan Carlos, Frank, Marijke, Indira and me.

Our visit to Pinar del Rio in the northeast of Cuba has some very special memories for me. It started with the trip from Vinãles to Pinar where we took a ride in the back of a truck. We wanted to experience the way of travelling the Cubans do. We met a Japanese guy on this truck, who travelled across Cuba in this way. He says, when you have time and no money, this is the way to travel in this country. (See my travelogue "Hacer la Botella" from Vinãles to Pinar Del Rio.)

When we got out of the truck, we found us a new friend and we had lots of fun with this guy and his family and friends. They gave us some extra dance lessons and that was great fun. We were not feeling as guests here, but we felt to be their friends. We did a lot of fun things together. At the end of our stay we had to say goodbye with sorrow in our hearts, but we had to go on with our trip. (See my travelogue Dancing in the moonlight with our new friends).

Horse and car in Pinar del Rio

But before we left, we explored this little city together with our friends, (see my travelogue Walking in Pinar del Rio) and off course a visit to Pinar means also a visit to the tobacco area of Cuba and we visited the cigar factory and with a trick we got inside a tobacco farm. (see my travelogue Cigars and an "illegal" visit to a tobacco farm)

Especially this last visit brings back good memories, because we got into an area that was off limit for outsiders.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Friendly people, great area to dwell

Last visit to Pinar del Río: May 2000
Intro Updated Sep 14, 2003
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Reviews (7)

The liqueur factory "bebidas Guayabita". (Jean) - Pinar del Río

The liqueur factory "bebidas Guayabita". Things to Do (6)

Next to the tobacco factory they have in Pinar del Rio also a liqueur factory the "Bebidas Guayabita". It’s also open... more travel advice

Schoolkids in a classroom - Pinar del Río

Try to visit a local school Things to Do (6)

If you have the chance you maybe can visit a local school. We passed a few schools and when we were standing outside... more travel advice

a woman is sorting tobacco leaves - Pinar del Río

Try to visit a tobacco farm outside... Things to Do (6)

We were very lucky to get into a tobacco farm thanks to my dear “mentirosa”. My little liar got us inside this place... more travel advice

Pinar del Rio: people in the cigar factory - Pinar del Río

cigar factory Francisco Donation Things to Do (6)

You can visit the factory and get an excellent idea of the making of a good quality cigar. It’s a very interesting... more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (1)
Be careful when you buy cigars on the...

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Travelogues (4)

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Comments (4)

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Helga67 Jan 18, 2006 at 3:33 AM

Great page. I'm looking forward to visiting it myself.
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lorgnierl Sep 26, 2003 at 10:45 AM

some memories came back too
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kaloz Jul 30, 2003 at 12:37 AM

Your travelogues are wonderful, full of rich stories. You really took the time to get the inside scoop.
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dabuwan Jul 28, 2003 at 3:59 AM

Excellent travelogues with lots of info and great pics. Really a nice travel story. Well done!