Soroa: The permanent rainbow hidden in the Sierra del Rosario

By: Rachell Cowan Canino

There are places in Cuba that seem designed by an artist obsessed with detail. Soroa is one of them. Just 80 kilometers west of Havana, nestled in the Sierra del Rosario—declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—this small valley boasts such abundant natural beauty. Known as the “Rainbow of Cuba,” it owes its nickname to an optical phenomenon that occurs daily at its main waterfall. It is the ideal destination for a weekend getaway or a day trip from the capital, offering a complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of Havana.

The heart of the area is the Soroa Waterfall, a 22-meter cascade where the Manantiales River plunges between ancient rocks, forming a natural pool perfect for a refreshing swim. When the sun’s rays pierce the mist on the water, the multicolored rainbow that gives the place its name appears, seemingly settling upon the visitor like an ephemeral yet never-ending gift.

A short distance from the waterfall lies the Soroa Orchidarium, founded in 1943 by lawyer Tomás Felipe Camacho, from the Canary Islands, as a posthumous tribute to his wife and daughter. Considered the most important in the country, this garden houses more than 700 species and 20,000 specimens of orchids, many of them endemic to Cuba. Strolling along its paths is like wandering through a living museum where each flower tells a story of patience and botanical obsession. But Soroa is not only about its gardens and waterfalls.

Perched atop El Fuerte hill, the Castillo de las Nubes (Castle of the Clouds) is one of Cuba’s most unique and exclusive accommodations. Built in the 1940s by an eccentric landowner with medieval inspiration, it is now a boutique hotel with just six rooms, a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant serving traditional Cuban cuisine, offering some of the best panoramic views of the Sierra del Rosario mountain range. For adrenaline seekers, the area offers several exciting options: the “El Mogote-Poza del Amor Green Route” trail leads through the ruins of old French coffee plantations, a historical vestige of Cuba’s coffee boom; the Mirador de Venus (Venus Lookout) offers one of the most breathtaking views of the valley; and the natural pools of the San Juan River are perfect for enjoying its mineral-rich properties.

Soroa Is easily accessible from Havana: take the highway towards Pinar del Río to the signposted turnoff in Candelaria, and from there it’s just seven kilometers into the mountains. The entire journey takes no more than an hour and a half. In addition to the luxurious Castillo de las Nubes, there are accommodation options for all budgets, such as the Hotel Horizontes Villa Soroa, managed by Cubanacán, with 49 cabins surrounded by nature, or various private homes that offer a more authentic experience.

Soroa represents nature tourism at its finest. Its proximity to Havana makes it a strategic tourism product, ideal for complementing any business or vacation trip to the capital. For travel agents and tour operators, it’s an easy option to sell: an easy escape to tranquility, history and biodiversity. It’s a destination that connects visitors with the greenest essence of Cuba, where the warmth of the locals completes an unforgettable experience.