Las Terrazas is a small community and nature reserve in Pinar del Río province, Cuba. Located in the Sierra del Rosario mountain range (designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1984), it has a number of hotels and restaurants and a large area of secondary forest. The secondary forest was planted on the deforested hills by building terraces to avoid erosion; hence the name (in Spanish, terrazas means terraces).
The name also refers to the third highest peak in the reserve, where a small settlement and tourist center is located, all sharing the same name.
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* 1 Geography * 2 Nature * 3 History * 4 Attractions * 5 External links
[edit] Geography Valley of the sugar mills at the south skirts of Escambray Mountains Valley of the sugar mills at the south skirts of Escambray Mountains
Topes de Collantes, literally Collantes’ Highs, with almost 800 meters (2,625 ft) over sea level, along with Potrerillo peak, 931 meters (3,054 ft) and tallest San Juan peak, 1,140 meters (3,740 ft) are located in the Escambray range. This mountains are shared by the three center provinces of the island; Villa Clara Province to the north, Cienfuegos Province and Sancti Spiritus Province to the east and west respectively. Hit by the wet winds coming from the Caribbean Sea has made the North face of the mountains a luxurious refugee for plants and animals, yet the most dry south face host important ecosystems and in the skirts of it lays the two famous UNESCO World Heritage sites; Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the sugar mills), and Trinidad city, both a living expression of early XVII century wealthy colonial Cuba.
[edit] Nature Mariposa species in the Tropical rain forest Mariposa species in the Tropical rain forest Arborescent ferns and Mariposa in the Paseo Ecologico Arborescent ferns and Mariposa in the Paseo Ecologico
Nature is the big attraction here. Caves, rivers, falls, grottos, canyons, natural pools with crystal clear water, mountain hills surrounded by Mariposa (Butterfly lily, Hedychium coronarium) Cuba’s national flower announcing their presence with a soft unique flagrance from June to early September. More than 40 indigenous species of orchids and 100 species of ferns, of which 7 are 6 meters (20 ft) tall palm-like ferns, wild plantain and banana trees, jasmine, begonias, several representatives of the ginger family and around 40 species of coffee are growing under the shade of giant 40 meter tall pines, eucalyptus, mahoganies and magnolias making the wonder of this tropical rain forest.
Important animal species live here as well. They include the cartacuba (Todus multicolor), royal woodpecker (Campephilus principalis), unique hummingbirds, and Cuba’s national bird the tocororo (Priotelus Temnurus).
[edit] History La Represa Park, Martha Batista's house La Represa Park, Martha Batista's house
Coffee growers were living in the area when president Fulgencio Batista order the construction of massive battleship like deco style sanatorium for tuberculosis patients in 1954. Rumor has it that his wife Martha was battling against this illness and once there she fall in love for the place. As a result she persuaded Batista to built her a cottage in the zone as well. After the Revolution the hospital was converted into a school, and in the mid 70’s it was returned to a similar use as a hotel specialized in rehabilitation and special therapies. The Kurhotel is also famous for its vast collection of original Cuban art. Scattered in its 210 rooms, lobbies and halls, almost 800 pieces of art from the most famous Cuban painters of all times can be found. As a result, a small worker’s settlement was developed around the place. The Universidad de Montaña or Mountain Campus of Las Villas University was built here in the 80's. Due to its connection with Trinidad city and the beaches of the Ancon peninsula a couple more hotels and a resort villa catering to tourist have been developed.
[edit] Attractions Almacigo tree (Bursera simaruba) in Ancon beach, Trinidad Almacigo tree (Bursera simaruba) in Ancon beach, Trinidad One of the many naturals pools in Caburni river One of the many naturals pools in Caburni river
There are several places to go, these are some of the most popular trips:
Caburni Falls, at about 3 kilometers (2 mi) is the most popular hike trough coffee plantations, traditional farmers houses, and cliffs to end in Caburni river which falls from a 62 meters (203 ft) rock wall into a series of ponds.
La Batata, 3 kilometers (2 mi) from the city, offers scenic views as well, ending in an underground river-cave system with several levels of natural ponds.
Hacienda Codina, a ranch with several attractions: medicinal mud baths, medicinal and ornamental gardens, the orchid’s collection has more than 40 local species including bamboo; Altar’s cave from where a secret passage ends in a natural lookout facing south of the mountain system and the Valley of the sugar mills, Trinidad and Ancon can be seen.
Paseo Ecologico, Ecology walk, 1 kilometers (1 mi) local path connecting the Kurhotel with hotel “Los helechos” filled with mariposa shrubs and arborescent ferns under the canopy of pines and eucalyptus.
Parque La represa, a 1 square kilometers (0.4 sq mi) park developed around the original house built for Batista’s wife Martha. Placed on the banks of River Vega Grande, there is an arboretum with more than 300 exotic species. The highest and oldest mahogany ever found in Cuba lives in this place.
Snak Bar “El mirador”, literally The Lookout, it in the way down to Trinidad, between the Valley and the range in the back, but still 600 meters above sea level offers views of the city and peninsula below.
With around 500 years of history in its stone built streets and colonial architecture the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site of Trinidad is located close to the white sands and blue waters of Ancon and La Boca beaches.
[edit] External links
* Cuba Tourism Department. Topes de Collantes (Spanish)
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.
This experience was initially aimed at developing tourism in a beautiful mountainous area of high natural and historic values, as a major way to reanimate the zone's economy and improve the people's standard of living.
Las Terrazas Community was conceived as a miniature city, with basic facilities for its urban functioning and an architectural style based on the harmonization of buildings with the landscape and the relief.
The center of the leisure industry in the area is at the Moka Hotel, built in the San Juan Valley, at the foot of Loma del Salón, or Salon Hill, and featuring an architectural style that respects the local flora, which also contributes to embellishing that cozy establishment of 26 rooms (22 standard rooms and one suite). Outside view. Boathouse. Lobby.
The complement to leisure lies in an infrastructure that aims to integrate tourism into the community, like in the case of "Fonda de las Mercedes", which was conceived as an attraction that facilitates visitors' interaction with a local family and the rescue of Cuban culinary traditions.
In addition, "Rancho Curujey", one of the most attractive and relaxing restaurants due to its location by a lake and near a mountain, stands out, serving exquisite dishes from Cuban cuisine.
Visitors can enjoy those gastronomic peculiarities in a cozy setting, surrounded by the natural beauty of nearly 800 plant species and more than 70 species of birds, many of which are endemic.
The history of coffee cultivation, which started in the region in the 19th century, is one of the major attractions for customers at the Buenavista Restaurant, which was built on the ruins of the coffee farm of same name, founded by French immigrants.
Cuban cuisine can also be tasted at "Casa del Campesino", where customers will be in direct contact with rural habits, in a setting built with natural materials. In the restaurant's yard, visitors will see domestic animals, fruit trees and gardens.
Travelers' direct contact with mountain dwellers is another option in Las Terrazas.
The local people treasure centuries-old traditions and customs linked to agriculture, as well as deeply-rooted artistic expressions such as controversies by popular poets, serenades and parties, which truly represent their way of living.
Las Terrazas Community, with its beautiful white houses with colorful roofs, surrounded by ponds and gardens, adds a peculiar touch to Cuba's rural landscape.