Cintio Vitier was born to Medardo and María Cristina Bolaños Vitier on September 25, 1921, in Key West, Florida, United States, but had Cuban nationality. Vitier attended a school started by his father in Matanzas, Cuba. He said that the school's library inspired his early literary inspiration. At fifteen, Vitier moved with his family to Havana and attended La Luz, a private school, and later a public secondary school. In 1947, he graduated as an attorney from the University of Havana.

Vitier founded the journal Luz, allowing him to publish his work. At 17, he published "Poemas", a book of his poetry. Poet Juan Ramón Jiménez, who was in exile at the time, wrote the introduction and chose the poems.

Vitier began as a writer of hermetic poetry. Other themes in his poetry included the nature of poetry, the function of memory, and the role of language in the creative process. After Fidel Castro's revolution, critics said that Vitier captured the spirit of the revolution without resorting to propaganda.

Vitier helped start the American poetry magazine "Origin". Among his works are the books of poetry: "Extrañeza de estar" ("The wonder of being", 1944); "Vísperas" ("Vespers", 1953); "Canto llano" ("Plain song", 1956); "Testimonios" (1968), an anthology of his works from 1953 to 1968; "La Fecha al Pie" (1981) covering his works from 1969 to 1975; "Antología Poética" (1981); and "Poemas de Mayo a Junio" (1990).

The most prominent of his works on Cuban poetry are "Cincuenta años de poesía cubana, 1902—1952" ("Fifty years of Cuban poetry, 1902—1952"), "Lo cubano en la poesía" ("The Cuban element in poetry", 1958), as well as the novel "Peña Pobre".

Vitier won the National Prize for Literature in 1988, the José Martí Order awarded by the Cuban Council of State, the 2002 Juan Rulfo Prize, and the medal of the Cuban Academy of Science. He also received the title of Official of Arts and Letters of France.

Vitier's son is José María Vitier, a well-known composer.

To celebrate his last birthday, a bibliographic exhibition was opened at the Cuban National Library.

Vitier died on October 1, 2009, at age 88 in Havana. He had made an appearance the week before with his wife, poet Fina García Marruz. His death was first reported by local television stations without additional details. Fidel and Raul Castro sent floral wreaths dedicated to Vitier.