The city of Pinar del Río (Pop. 120,000) is the capitol of the province of the same name. The name, meaning "pine of the river," refers to the tall pines that grace river banks around the province, and especially flourish near in the extreme western side of the island.

The city of Pinar del Río is in fairly well upkeep by Cuban standards, especially considering the nationwide shortages of paint and construction materials. Like Havana, Pinar del Río features many beautiful pieces of beautiful architecture. Pinar del Río has a particular abundance of highly decorated, well maintained neoclassical buildings.

Historically, the city of Pinar del Río the and surrounding area have been important in tobacco production. In the 18th century, smugglers seeking to evade the Spanish' monopoly on the tobacco trade chose this area because of its distance from the government in Havana, as well as the prime soil and conditions.

Pinar del Río is home to many topnotch education and health care facilities, including the University of Pinar del Río, various vocational schools, and a well-respected nurses' academy.
Pinar del Río is not a top tourist destination in its own right, but as the area's largest city, plenty of tourists pass through for a day or two.

Among the unique attractions offered in this city are cigar factory tours and gift shops, la Casa de la Culture (the House of Culture), and the beautifully restored Milanes Theater.

Casa Natal de Antonio Guiteras Holmes

About this revolutionairy mans life in 1930
Maceo Oeste #52 / Ormani Arenano

Cathedral de San Rosendo

Build 1883
Maceo este #3 / Gerardo Medina

Centro Provincial de Artes Plastiacs Galeria

Local art exhibitions

Fabricia de Tabacos Francisco Donatien

Cigar Factory
Maceo Oeste #157
Tel: 82/75-3424

The principal attraction in town is Fábrica de Tabacos Francisco Donatién, Calle Antonio Maceo, just off the Plaza de la Independencia. Several fine brands are rolled at this renowned cigar factory. You can walk through the timeless rolling station, where a caller reads news and short stories to keep the rollers interested. You'll also visit rooms where the final selection and grading, labeling, and boxing take place. You can buy some of the wares here, or at the well-stocked Casa del Habano across the street. The factory is open Monday through Friday from 9am to noon and 1 to 4pm, Saturday from 9am to noon. Admission is $5, and includes a guided tour that lasts around 15 to 20 minutes.

Fabrica de Bebidas Casa Garay

Brandy factory
Isabel Rubio Sur #189
E/ Ceferino Fernandez y Frank Pais
Tel: 82/75-2966

The other main attraction in Pinar del Río is the Casa Garay Fábrica de Guayabitas del Pinar , Calle Isabel Rubio, 3 1/2 blocks south of Calle Martí. This little factory produces the town's signature Guayabita del Pinar liquor. They produce two types, dulce (sweet) and seco (dry). Both are cane liquors distilled with the fruit berries of a local bush. I like the seco quite a bit. It's a good quality sipping liquor that, if you stretch your imagination, is almost brandylike. The factory is open during the same hours as Fábrica de Tabacos Francisco Donatién. Admission is $1, and usually includes a quick guided tour and a stop at the tasting room. Bottles of Guayabita are on sale for around $4.

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Museo Provincial de Historia

History (local) from Indian till now
Marti Este #58
E/ Colon y Isabel Rubio

Museo Memorial

“Antonio Guiteras Holmes”
Maceo No. 52, Pinar del Río

Naturales “Tranquilino Sandalio de Noda”
Martí No. 202, esq. a
Ave. Comandante Pinares
Pinar del Río

Palacio de Guash

Martí, esq. a Comandante
Pinares y Hnos. Saíz,
Pinar del Río

Teatro “José Jacinto

Milanés”
Martí, esq. a Colón,
Pinar del Río