Soroa, Cuba

Soroa is located 76 km west of Havana, in the Pinar del Rio province, western region of the Sierra del Rosario, Cuba.

Natural reserve park covers an area of 25 000 hectares. Skirting the banks of several rivers, the most important rivers of Soroa region are: Rio Bayate and Rio Manatiales. This rivers are endowed with a crystal clear water, at the sunrays beautiful rainbow disperse over them, always when rains.

At the highest hill of Soroa you can enjoy a delicious dinner in "Castillo Las Nubes" The "Castle of Clouds" has been build in 1867 by Don Pedro, Andaluz from Spain, where he enjoy meeting his friends and family.

After the Cuban Revolution the castle become state property. Don Pedro also owned the sugar factory named Andorra, later it was named Abraham Lincoln. At the entrance you will find original castle table.

The table was made in 1842, considered -"Una Obra de Arte" piece of art, because it looks like if it has been made only from one piece but in reality it's made from four parts of ebony wood. Two wall castle's pictures are also originals, Bullfighter and Ballerina.

The Hotel "Villa Soroa" is located in Pinar del Rio faster great diversity of flora and fauna. Soroa's climate is characterized by frequent rainfall and average annual temperature of 24 C - 75 F. Part of this area is covered by evergreen rain forest, some of the trees are 40 meters height.

The region is home of Semideciduous forest as well as Shrubs and Herdaceous palms. In the outskirts of Soroa more then 100 species of ornamental trees have been identified.

Another 60 species of vines, 50 of edible plants and approximately 20 of palms tree and bamboo. Lichens and moss are abundant as well. Fauna of the region is plentiful and rich in its diversity, within bird family more than 50 species.

Tocororo, Cuban National Bird (priotelus temnurus) Cartacuba (todus multicolor), Nightingale (myadestes elisadeth), Royal Wrasse (tordus plumbeo) and the Hummingbird (chlorostilbon ricarddi).

Birdwatchers will find Soroa most rewording area. In terms of the region's historical and cultural landmarks, ruins of several mansions, that use to be French coffee plantations. Some of them has been restored.

French colonialist establish themselves in this region in the first decade of the nighteen century. Visitors can indulge in contemplating very beautiful natural landscapes, exploring caverns and waterfall.

Cuba, which benefits from an excellent geographic location at the entrance of the Caribbean Sea, strongly bets on tourism, based on its natural attractions, with unique options for nature lovers.

One of the main destinations for nature tourism is western Pinar del Río province, where a project combines sustainable development and tourism in the mountainous Las Terrazas Community.

Its importance and interest is stressed by the fact that Las Terrazas is situated in Sierra del Rosario, one of Cuba's natural strongholds, which was designated a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1985.