Las Terrazas

Las Terrazas is a rural eco-community and nature reserve in the Sierra del Rosario, Artemisa Province, western Cuba. Nestled in a mountain range and built around a creek, the village is known for its terraced layout — the origin of its name — with roads on separate levels following the hilly terrain.

At the bottom of the village lies a beautiful lake (Lago del San Juan) surrounded by forest, reed, and meadow, while the upper part features government-built housing (Plattenbauten) erected to improve housing availability. Las Terrazas is part of the UNESCO-designated Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve and is a model of Cuba's eco-tourism initiatives.

The village is an easy day-trip distance from Havana, making it popular with Cubans on weekends and public holidays, when the lake gets crowded. On quieter weekdays, the area retains a calm, natural atmosphere. The climate is tropical with slightly cooler temperatures in the mountains.

By Plane

José Martí International Airport (HAV) in Havana is the nearest airport, approximately 70 km east. A taxi from the airport costs around CUC 50–60 and takes about 1.5 hours.

By Car / Road

The bus stop is inconveniently located at the northern lake, about 1 km from the village centre. A daily Viazul bus from Havana to Pinar del Río continuing to Viñales passes through Las Terrazas in the morning and returns in the afternoon. A collectivo from Havana costs approximately US$15 per person (the taxi may continue to Viñales with other passengers), unless there are at least four passengers going directly to Las Terrazas.

The village is easy to walk on foot, though the bus station is about 1 km away. The layout on terraced levels means some uphill walking. There are no local transport options within the village.

• Coffee plantation ruins (3 km west of the village) — the ruins of the old coffee plantation where enslaved people worked, now a beautiful garden with a Casa del Campesino restaurant nearby. Free entry.

• Lago del San Juan — the scenic lake at the bottom of the village, surrounded by forest and meadow.

• Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve — the surrounding UNESCO reserve with cloud forest, hiking trails, and rich biodiversity.

• Rent a row-boat — row around Lago del San Juan and swim, as the Cubans do. US$2 per hour.

• Swim in the northern lake — where Cubans go for a swim, with a water platform for extra fun. Kayaks and row-boats available at US$2 per hour. Free entry.

• Hiking — trails through the biosphere reserve offer nature walks and birdwatching.

• Visit the coffee plantation ruins — explore the historic site and gardens.

• Budget: Two restaurants catering mainly to Cubans — one serving basic Creole food and pasta upstairs with sandwiches and refreshments, plus a bar with ice cream downstairs (mains US$1–2, sandwiches 2–10 CUP). Another slightly more expensive option with lakeside views, good fish, and cocktails (mains around US$6, cocktails under US$2).
• Mid-range: El Romero Restaurant serves excellent vegetarian food with mains around US$8. Shares a menu with La Berengena in Viñales.

Cocktails and rum are available at the lakeside restaurants. Local beer and soft drinks are sold at the village eateries. There is no ETECSA office and generally no internet available.

Accommodation options are extremely limited. There is only one hotel in the village, and no official casas particulares. Camping with bungalow options may exist at the northern lake but likely caters mainly to Cubans.

• Budget: Informal homestays may be available but are not officially sanctioned.
• Mid-range: Hotel Moka — rests on a wooded hillside overlooking the valley and lake, from US$50–60 per night.

There are no shops in Las Terrazas itself. A bakery and small fruit stand are near the highway junction, and the gas station stocks bare necessities. For a supermarket, head to Candelaria.

• Soroa — a village known for its orchid garden and waterfall, about 20 km west (25 min drive).
• Viñales — Cuba's most famous valley with mogotes and tobacco farms, about 60 km west (1 hour drive).
• Candelaria — the nearest town for supplies and services, about 20 km south (25 min drive).
• Havana — the national capital, about 70 km east (1.5 hours drive).