Prominent Features:

1. UNESCO World Heritage Site - Las Terrazas is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once a coffee plantation, now transformed into an ecological reserve. 2. Natural Beauty - Las Terrazas is surrounded by beautiful and lush forests, offering views of breathtaking mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes. 3. Wildlife - The area is home to a wide variety of animals including birds, sloths, iguanas, and monkeys. 4. Bird Watching - Birdwatchers will love the opportunity to spot dozens of species from trogons to toucans and many more. 5. Sustainable Living - Las Terrazas is a great example of sustainable tourism and development, with a strict commitment to environmental protection and resource conservation. 6. Cultural Activities - The area offers a variety of cultural activities, such as concerts, readings, visual art exhibitions, and explorations of traditional Cuban music, as part of its commitment to creating a place that balances modern innovation with preserving local traditions. 7. Coffee Plantations - Las Terrazas is also home to some of Cuba’s last remaining coffee plantations. Tourists can visit the coffee houses, pick up some freshly brewed Cuban coffee and learn about the traditional processing techniques. This national monument of Cuba portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Las Terrazas is a sustainable development project in Pinar del Río Province, Cuba, located in the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve. The project was designed for the purpose of creating an alternative model for sustainable development in Cuba. The project began as a joint effort of the Cuban government, UNESCO and the global environmental organization, WWF, in 1996. As part of the project, the government of Cuba committed to restoring the local environment, providing improved services to the growing population of the area, and creating jobs through sustainable economic activities such as agro-ecology and eco-tourism. In 1997, the Las Terrazas Community was officially declared a Special Development Zone in Cuba, with the aim of promoting social and economic progress while balancing the need to protect the surrounding environment. The area was designed to incorporate a variety of strategies, including sustainable farming practices, reforestation, and conservation. In order to do so, the project employed eco-friendly construction materials, such as the bamboo frame house and limited the urbanization to just 15 percent of the area. Since 1997, numerous activities and projects have been carried out with the involvement of local, national and international organizations. In 2000, the Las Terrazas Community was designated the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Cuba. The project has brought many benefits to the area. It has increased tourist activity and created over 10,000 jobs. The Nature Reserve has also seen improved species conservation, water resources preservation, and biodiversity restoration. The positive impact of Las Terrazas continues to inspire other sustainable development initiatives in Cuba. You must visit one of these historical places in Cuba on your Cuba tour

Interesting facts:

1. Las Terrazas is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located in the westernmost part of Cuba, the province of Pinar del Río. 2. The Las Terrazas Reserve has been protected since 1974, with a total area of about 90 square kilometers. 3. In Uskut, Las Terrazas, there are more than 200 species of birds, and from the year 2000 gave shelter to 22 species of endemic and migratory species. 4. The visitors can find in Las Terrazas, different scenarios of diverse and unique environmental value: from mountainous terrains covered with expanses of richly planted sub – tropical forests to perfectly level plains with dry vegetation. 5. Las Terrazas offers a variety of activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, tour guide services, and more. 6. In 2008, Los Terrazas was awarded "Best Eco-lodge in the Caribbean” for its efforts in conservation and its commitment to sustainable tourism. 7. Many rural families from nearby communities still inhabit the area and one can find traditional Cuban customs, including music and food, in all areas of the reserve. 8. The visitors have numerous opportunities to participate in a variety of eco-tours, learning the skills of the local inhabitants, such as bee keeping, farming, and sustainable forestry. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cuba with your friends and family.