Palenque de los Cimarrones
A cave where runaway enslaved people hid during the colonial era. A passage leads through to an open-air restaurant with Afro-Cuban cultural performances.
“Palenque” refers to the hidden settlements founded by runaway enslaved people (cimarrones). This site lies about 4 km north of town, in the Mogote hills near the Cueva de los Indios, where escapees used natural caves to evade capture. Visitors walk through a tunnel to a forest clearing on the other side. Here, sculptures depict the history of slavery and the life of runaways, and a restaurant serves Cuban country dishes at lunchtime. At certain times there are performances of Yoruba-inspired religious song and dance. It can be combined with a visit to the Cueva de los Indios, and tour buses pass by.
Opening hours
About 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Cueva del Indio
- Cueva de la Vaca Hike
- Jardín Botánico de Caridad
- Viñales Valley
- Viñales Town & Parque José Martí
- Viñales Tobacco Farms
- Mural de la Prehistoria
- Mirador Los Jazmines