Explore Las Terrazas: Cuba’s Sustainable Community in the Sierra del Rosario

Hola, nature lovers and conscious travelers! I’m your guide to Las Terrazas, one of the most inspiring destinations in Cuba—a place where sustainability, natural beauty, and local culture blend in perfect harmony. Located just an hour west of Havana, this eco-village and nature reserve is ideal for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
 

Whether you're hiking to waterfalls, sipping local coffee, zip-lining over forests, or exploring an artist’s studio, Las Terrazas offers a side of Cuba few visitors ever see.

📍 Where is Las Terrazas?

Province: Artemisa, Cuba

Distance from Havana: 70 km (about 1 hour by car)

Region: Sierra del Rosario mountain range

Status: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (since 1985)

🗓️ Best Time to Visit Las Terrazas

🌤️ Tip: Visit in January–March for the best combination of pleasant weather and fewer tourists.

🧭 Why Visit Las Terrazas?

First eco-village project in Cuba

Surrounded by lush forests, rivers, and waterfalls

Home to endemic wildlife and tropical plants

Offers eco-lodges, art studios, coffee tours, and adventure sports

Perfect for families, backpackers, eco-tourists, and even couples

🏞️ Top Things to Do in Las Terrazas

1. 🌳 Explore the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve

Las Terrazas is located inside the Sierra del Rosario, a UNESCO-protected area known for its biodiversity and conservation efforts.

🦜 Wildlife to spot:

Cuban Trogon (Cuba’s national bird)

West Indian woodpecker

Endemic orchids and ferns

Colorful butterflies and frogs

🌿 Activities:

Guided nature walks

Birdwatching tours

Self-guided hikes with scenic overlooks

2. 🌊 Swim in the San Juan River

The San Juan River (Río San Juan) runs through the forest, offering clear freshwater pools and small waterfalls.

🏞️ What to expect:

Natural stone pools perfect for swimming

Wooden bridges and riverside cafes

Local families relaxing in hammocks

💡 Tip: Bring swimwear and biodegradable insect repellent!

3. 🧗 Zip-Lining Through the Forest

Want a little adrenaline? Try the Canopy Tour, a zip-lining adventure that offers stunning views of Las Terrazas from above.

🚠 Zip-Line Facts:

6 zip-lines totaling over 1.6 km

Fly over forests, lakes, and terraced fields

Safety gear and guides included

🎟️ Book in advance, especially during weekends.

4. ☕ Visit Cafetal Buenavista

A highlight for coffee lovers, this 18th-century coffee plantation was originally built by French refugees from Haiti.

🫘 Tour Highlights:

Restored ruins of coffee processing buildings

Panoramic view of the surrounding valley

Café that serves local organic coffee

🗺️ A short uphill hike leads to the plantation—wear comfortable shoes.

5. 🎨 Meet Local Artists in the Village

Las Terrazas is not just about nature—it’s a creative community with resident painters, musicians, and artisans.

🎨 Who to visit:

Henry Alavés – A resident painter known for his colorful abstract work

Santos Caraballé – A sculptor with a rustic home-studio open to visitors

🖼️ You can:

Browse original Cuban artwork

Watch the artists at work

Purchase unique souvenirs directly from the creators

6. 🏞️ Hike to El Contento and El Taburete

Las Terrazas is full of scenic hiking trails, perfect for all levels of fitness.

🥾 Recommended Trails:

El Contento Trail – Moderate difficulty, 4 km round-trip

El Taburete – More challenging, but rewards hikers with spectacular views

🦋 Along the way, you’ll encounter butterflies, birds, and wild orchids.

7. 🍽️ Eat at Eco-Friendly Restaurants

Food in Las Terrazas is both local and organic. Many restaurants use ingredients grown within the community.

🥘 Top Picks:

El Romero – Vegan and vegetarian gourmet meals

Rancho Curujey – Open-air restaurant with Cuban specialties and river views

Hotel Moka’s Restaurant – Great for breakfast with a forest view

🥥 Try local specialties like tostones, creole chicken, and guava smoothies.

8. 🏨 Stay at Hotel Moka

Hotel Moka is the flagship eco-lodge of Las Terrazas and a model for sustainable tourism in Cuba.

🏡 Features:

Rooms built into the hillside

Trees growing through the hotel’s interior

Solar panels and rainwater collection

Birdsong as your morning wake-up call

🌿 Other accommodations include:

Casas particulares (private B&Bs) in the village

Eco-camping for the adventurous

🧳 What to Pack for Las Terrazas

🥾 Comfortable hiking shoes

🧢 Sun hat and sunglasses

🧴 Sunscreen and mosquito repellent

👙 Swimwear for river pools

📸 Camera or binoculars for birdwatching

💵 Cash (Cuban pesos)

🚗 How to Get to Las Terrazas

From Havana:

By Car: ~1 hour via Autopista Este-Oeste (A4)

By Tour: Book through Cuban tour agencies or your hotel

By Taxi: Can arrange with local drivers (~$50 round trip)

Public Bus: Less frequent and not direct; private transfer is recommended

🛍️ Sustainable Tourism at Its Best

Las Terrazas is a pioneering eco-tourism model, developed by the Cuban government in the 1960s to reforest an area that had been heavily damaged by logging. Today, it remains:

100% community-run

Focused on environmental education

Open to visitors who want to travel responsibly and respectfully

✅ It’s a shining example of regenerative tourism in Latin America.

📸 Best Photo Spots in Las Terrazas

📷 River pools under hanging bridges

📷 Cafetal Buenavista from the lookout

📷 Zip-lining action shots

📷 Artists at work in the village

📷 Sunrise over Hotel Moka’s treetop balconies

🔑 Target SEO Keywords

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🌟 Final Thoughts: Why Las Terrazas Should Be on Your Cuban Itinerary

Las Terrazas is a destination that feeds your soul while respecting the planet. It’s Cuba’s eco-tourism heartland, where you can swim in rivers, zip through treetops, sip farm-grown coffee, and connect with Cuban culture in a deep, meaningful way.

Whether you’re on a short trip from Havana or touring the western provinces of Cuba, Las Terrazas is a must-see — a true hidden gem where sustainability meets serenity.