Difference between revisions of "Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra del Rosario"
Revision as of 23:14, 29 June 2008File:SoroaFruitStand.JPG Roadside fruit seller, Soroa The Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra del Rosario is in Pinar del Río province of Cuba. It's not a national park but is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It consists of 25,000 hectares (61,775 acres) of the Sierra del Rosario mountains. The principal sites in the reserve are Soroa and Las Terrazas. Soroa is "off the beaten path" with fewer tourists than Viñales. If you come from Havana you'll welcome getting a full night's sleep in the quiet campo (countryside). Las Terrazas is more promoted as a tourist destination.
UnderstandHistoryLandscapeFlora and faunaClimateGet inLas Terrazas is about 70 kilometers west of Havana. Viazul has bus service from Havana, and on to Pinar del Río and Viñales. Soroa is 87 kilometers west of Havana. Fees/PermitsGet aroundSeeOrquideario Soroa File:SoroaView.JPG Soroa valley, from above the Orquideario The Orquideario Soroa is the world's second-biggest orchid garden, with 700 species. You can also hike up the road behind the Orquideario to a ruined mansion and a view of the valley. Cascadas El Salto The Cascadas El Salto is a beautiful 35-meter waterfall. You can swim in the pool below the falls. Mirador de VenusFile:SoroaHike.JPG Mirador de Venus trail, Soroa This mountaintop viewpoint is a two-hour hike at an easy pace. You can rent horses if you prefer not to hike. The start is at the El Salto parking lot. Cafetal IndependenciaThe ruins of the Cafetal Independencia coffee plantation are a six-hour hike from Soroa. DoBuyEatThere's an excellent restaurant and a snack bar at the Cascadas El Salto. If you're served by the waitress named "Pupy," pronounced "poopy," be sure to explain to your Cuban friends at the table, or at least the ones under twelve, what this means in English. DrinkSleepLodgingSoroa has a tourist hotel and many casas particulares along the road. CampingBackcountryStay safeGet out
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