SOROA CUBA

ORCHIDS OF SOROA CUBA

Soroa Cuba WaterFalls

CUBA FAMOUS ORCHIDS GARDENS OF SOROA
Soroa, Cuba, World famous Soroa Orchid Garden,is the largest collection of Orchid gardens in the world.  The Soroa water falls and gardens have been effected by consecutive hurricanes,
 yet they have increased collections of rare flowers donated by other gardens and private collectors.
 The Soroa gardens in Pinar Del Rio Cuba, is home to 650 rare types of orchids, both native and exotic. After hurricanes Gustavo the Soroa Orchids garden received many donations of the rarest orchids from various regions of the world to help  recover from the damage caused by tropical storms.

Eco-friendly Soroa has recovered, the orchid garden has won national and foreign championships for Orchid gardens due to its winding paths, pavilions covered with thin blankets and amazing waterfalls.
Soroa continues to conduct conservation work using plant experts from the University of Pinar del Rio.
Soroa is organizing its 8th International Orchid Workshop that is scheduled for late 2012.

Tourist and professors will present natural experiences and research findings on ecology, conservation and management, eco- fertilization, molecular biology, plant pathology and plant geography for the benefit of Orchids and Plant advancement in Cuba.

TROPICAL STORM NICOLE SLAMS SOROA CUBA

Waterfall in Soroa Cuba

SOROA HIT BY CUBAN STORM
Tropical Storm Nicole has hit Cuba with a vengeance that has triggered flash flooding in Jamaica and dumped heavy rain on Soroa Cuba, Florida, the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas. After two days Nicole has now disintegrated downward over the Florida Straits, reported the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami.

The hurricane moved on the edge of mild tropical storm strength, prompting a fight between US and Cuban meteorologists as to whether it actually was a hurricane or just a strong storm. Forecasters at the US National Hurricane Center in Havana and Miami placed winds at 85 km per hour, just over the strength
 to become a full blown hurricane storm.

Cuban forecasters put the top winds at 68 kph and disagreed that it was a tropical storm when it chrashed into Cuba. The hurricane did not exsist according to Cuba's top meteorologist, Jorge Rubiera, who was seen on Cuba TV. In Jamaica, the storm caused heavy flooding that drowned two elderly men and a poor family of six.

HURRICANE WELCOMED IN SOROA CUBA
In Cuba, heaviest rains fell in Soroa and Cayo Coco located near the central part of the island,
where the farmers welcomed the rain from a record breaking drought that had drained reservoirs and caused massive water shortages to teh Cuban people.  Nearly 32 cm of heavy rain fell in the central province of Sancti Spiritus and Camaguey during the storms. "These rains are a precious gift from heaven and I hope it keeps rainingn for another week" said Juan Perez who works in Soroa and Pinar del Rio.

The storm was expected to dump another 18 to 29 cm of rain on the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Cuba, with up to 42 cm in isolated spots. Tropical hurricane warnings were sounding in the Cayman Islands and central areas of Cuba and the Bahamas. Warnings for Havana & Miami were dropped as the storm's path changed towards the east faster than previously expected, though heavy rain fell on the southeast part of Havana Cuba.

Tropical storm Nicole was keeping away from the Gulf of Mexico, where US oil and gas operations are concentrated. Heaviest rains continued on the east side of the the gulf of Mexico which in turn would spare central Florida orange groves from damage. Cuban Tourist were keep safe in all the majour resort areas of Varadero, Havana, Trinidad and Cayo Largo.
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Soroa Cuba Nature

 SOROA CUBA CHEAP VACATIONS

Pinar del Río, Cuba's westernmost province, is a stronghold for nature tourism in the Caribbean Island, with unique options for thousands of vacationers who visit the country to enjoy its many natural attractions.

In that territory, with unique sites such as the Viñales Valley, the Guanahacabibes Peninsula or Las Terrazas Project for Sustainable Development, Soroa, also known as Cuba's rainbow, is a very important destination.

Soroa, which is 70 kilometers west of the Cuban capital, is a site of breathtaking natural beauty, with a 22-meter waterfall that invites visitors to take a refreshing swim any time of the year.

One of the mountains surrounding Soroa, who are known as "mogotes" because of their rounded tops, is a lookout that overlooks a breathtakingly beautiful area that is full of birds and plants, many of which are endemic of the region.

Tourism in the region relies on the services of the Soroa Hotel and Villas, which are complemented by a pleasant microclimate and valuable natural, historical and cultural resources, especially its exuberant flora and wildlife.

Horse-riding excursions and different modalities of trekking with specialized guides form part of Soroa's large tourist offer, which includes tours of ruins of French coffee plantations from the 19th century, the Bayate River and El Brujillo-La Comadre countryside community.

View of the Villa Soroa

House

Platicerium

The region's natural environment is also open to initiatives such as cycle-tourism and mountain climbing, with excursions on the banks of the Manatiales River and unique baths at the so-called "Poza del Amor" (Pond of Love).

Lodging options include 49 double cabins and 10 houses, all of which are equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV and a minibar. Some of the houses have their own private swimming pool.

In addition, vacationers have access to a varied gastronomical offer at the restaurants of the tourist complex, along with a special offer of mineral-medicinal baths in thermal waters in collective swimming pools.

However, the best-known attraction in Soroa is the Orchid Garden, a must for all tourists visiting the province, where they can watch species of orchids from all over the world.

Soroa's Orchid Garden is the largest in the country. It covers an area of 35,000 square meters and holds more than 20,000 plants of 700 species. It also has thousands of specimens of ferns and trees that turn this place into a unique site in Sierra del Rosario, which was declared a World Biosphere Reserve.

The first species of orchids were brought to Soroa in 1948 by the rich Spanish owner of the place, Tomás Felipe Camacho, who was considered the person with the deepest knowledge in Cuba about the world of colors and fragrances.

This beautiful place still keeps valuable specimens from the 19th and 20th centuries, relics of that amazing region, which is a first-line destination for nature lovers in western Cuba.

SOROA ATTRACTIONS

Soroa Cuba Rare Orchids

CUBA ORCHIDS OF SOROA
The westernmost province in Cuba, also called the green province, is a gift of nature. Tobacco is grown in its extraordinary fertile lands and valleys. This tobacco is used to produce the Habanos or Cuban cigars, the best in the world.

The region's unspoilt lush environment is perfect cycling and mountain climbing, with excursions on the banks of the Manatiales River and unique baths at the so-called "Poza del Amor" (Pond of Love).

One big attraction of Soroa is the nearby botanical gardens which contain an excellent orchidarium, home to more than 700 different types of orchild. The surrounding countryside is lush, hilly and very pleasant to wander around.

For those into birdwatching, there are several viewing stations dotted around, for photographers, the area can affords a good opportunity for fauna and flora shots.

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.

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.

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

SOROA HOTELS

Soroa Cuba Hotel deals

Soroa is named after two Spanish brothers, Lorenzo and Antonio Soroa Munagorri who arrived in Cuba in 1856, with the hope of making a fortune as coffee producers.

Soroa offers a beautiful twenty meters waterfall and stunning little tropical mountains.

Castillo Las Nubes

the castle becomes restaurant in 1967, and since them Its open for tourist every day at 8am - 4pm.

Castillo las Nubes

"Eco Hotel Villa Soroa"

80 Air-conditioned two-room Cottages, with private bathroom, telephone and radio.

10 Air-conditioned houses with kitchen and refrigerator. 4 of the houses have TV, VCR and tape recorder, micro-wave oven and private swimming pools.

The hotel has 3 Restaurants,

5 bars, swimming pool, medical services, money exchange and parking lot.

Visitors can Tour the Manantiales River, which flows through the hills, or observe the water fall and even go for a swim in falls.

SOROA CUBA

CUBAN UNIQUE BIRD

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 species of edible plants and approximately 20 species 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.

Soroa trail

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.

SOROA ORCHID GARDEN

Soroa’s Orchid Garden Tours

Soroa’s natural environment also offers unique cycling and mountain climbing experiences. The Manantiales River and natural baths in the so-called Poza del Amor or “Love Pool” are not to be missed.

The region is the natural habitat of one of the smallest frogs in the world, in addition to 80 species of birds, many of which are endemic to Cuba, especially the tocororo (Cuban trogon), which is the national bird of Cuba.

The Soroa orchid garden features hundreds of varieties of orchids. It covers an area of 35,000 square meters and has more than 20,000 orchid plants. It also has thousands of ferns and trees that make it a truly unique destination in the world located in the Sierra del Rosario, a world biosphere reserve.

The first orchids arrived in Soroa in 1948. They were imported by the founder of the Soroa Cuba orchid garden, Tomás Felipe Camacho.

The Soroa Cuba photo gallery is a treat that will hold you over until you can visit this unique flower region in Cuba.

While in at that Soroa Orchid Garden, also known as the “Orquideario de Soroa” in Spanish, you can visit the Museo Comunidad Las Terrazas and stay at Villa Soroa at kilometer 8 in Pinar del Rio.

At this time, botanists from several Cuban provinces are planning the collection of orchid plants for replanting in Soroa after devastation by recent hurricanes.

They will start gathering and stockpiling orchids next month.

Soroa’s Orchid Garden scientist Jorge Lazaro Bocourt stated that the in vitro reproduction of orchids in this manner will help bring the Soroa Orchid gardens back to their full beauty.