Much photographed and painted, the 705-square-kilometre (272-square-mile) plain is surrounded by distinctively angular limestone karst hills the locals call mogotes (top) – which is why, along with its well preserved traditional architecture, crafts, and way of life, Viñales has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

Read more in my post In Cuba, Go West, to Pinar del Río & Viñales.

marcin jucha