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Cuba🇨🇺 | landmarksSoroaOrchid garden, swimming waterfall, pine hills, birdwatching trails | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Soroa
👍 Recommendedunique site ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The Salto del Arcoíris, a waterfall that drops about 22 meters into a swimming hole, is what sends most people to Soroa, but the orchid garden and the coffee-scented hills around it matter just as much and get far less credit. Soroa sits in the Sierra del Rosario hills of Artemisa province in western Cuba, roughly an hour's drive southwest of Havana. When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was the smell of wet red earth and the sudden hush after the highway, with roosters louder than any engine. The waterfall itself is modest in the dry months, so skip it then and spend the time on the Orquideario and the hill walks instead. Crowds are thin, the vibe is slow and green, and the Havana day-tour buses are the only real rush. A good first day: orchid garden in the morning, a hike up to the Mirador de Venus after lunch, and a swim at the falls before dusk.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 unique site in CubaReasons people choose to visit here

Soroa works because it gives you a full day of jungle, flowers and swimming within easy reach of Havana, without the cost or logistics of a big trek. Where else in western Cuba can you cover a waterfall, a viewpoint and a botanical collection on foot in one afternoon? The Orquideario de Soroa alone justifies the trip if you care about plants, and the trails behind it climb into forest that feels a world away from the capital's traffic. Soroa also fits neatly into the western circuit. It links naturally with Viñales and the Las Terrazas eco-community, so you can string three green stops together instead of treating it as a one-off. Casas particulares and the small hotel here let you stay overnight, which is the best way to get the Salto del Arcoíris pool almost to yourself once the tour groups … read more 👉
Soroa works because it gives you a full day of jungle, flowers and swimming within easy reach of Havana, without the cost or logistics of a big trek. Where else in western Cuba can you cover a waterfall, a viewpoint and a botanical collection on foot in one afternoon? The Orquideario de Soroa alone justifies the trip if you care about plants, and the trails behind it climb into forest that feels a world away from the capital's traffic. Soroa also fits neatly into the western circuit. It links naturally with Viñales and the Las Terrazas eco-community, so you can string three green stops together instead of treating it as a one-off. Casas particulares and the small hotel here let you stay overnight, which is the best way to get the Salto del Arcoíris pool almost to yourself once the tour groups leave. Go for the quiet evenings and the early-morning birdsong, and come curious rather than expecting a huge cascade. The hills are the main attraction, and the Mirador de Venus climb is the part most people rush.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Salto del Arcoíris: The waterfall that put Soroa on the map, falling roughly 22 meters into a natural pool where you can swim. It runs strongest after rain and thins to a trickle in the dry months. Small entry fee at the gate.
  2. Orquideario de Soroa: A botanical garden of orchids founded in the 1940s by a Spanish lawyer, with thousands of plants and many species from Cuba and abroad. Shaded paths and knowledgeable local guides make it the most rewarding stop.
  3. Mirador de Venus: A viewpoint reached by a steady uphill walk, with a view over the valley and the pine-covered hills toward the coast. It also has a small pool, and the walk takes about an hour round trip.
  4. Castillo de las Nubes: A stone tower on a hill above the valley, built as a mountain retreat. It now holds a small restaurant and gives
… read more 👉
  1. Salto del Arcoíris: The waterfall that put Soroa on the map, falling roughly 22 meters into a natural pool where you can swim. It runs strongest after rain and thins to a trickle in the dry months. Small entry fee at the gate.
  2. Orquideario de Soroa: A botanical garden of orchids founded in the 1940s by a Spanish lawyer, with thousands of plants and many species from Cuba and abroad. Shaded paths and knowledgeable local guides make it the most rewarding stop.
  3. Mirador de Venus: A viewpoint reached by a steady uphill walk, with a view over the valley and the pine-covered hills toward the coast. It also has a small pool, and the walk takes about an hour round trip.
  4. Castillo de las Nubes: A stone tower on a hill above the valley, built as a mountain retreat. It now holds a small restaurant and gives a wide view over the hills.
  5. Baños Romanos: Natural pools carved into the rock along a stream, popular with locals for a cool dip away from the busier waterfall. A short walk gets you there.
  6. Mirador and trails of the Sierra del Rosario: The surrounding biosphere reserve has forest paths with tocororos (Cuban trogons) and hummingbirds. Early mornings are best for birdwatching.
  7. Coffee plantation ruins: Remains of the old French-influenced coffee estates scattered around the area, a reminder of the colonial-era farming that shaped these hills.
Start with the Orquideario in the morning, since it is best when the light is soft and the tour buses have not yet arrived, leaving the waterfall for a late-afternoon swim.
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🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Soroa

  • Dry Season (November to April): Soroa’s clearest stretch, with days around 24 to 29°C (75 to 84°F) and nights dipping to 15 to 18°C (59 to 64°F) in the cooler months. Trails to the Mirador and the Salto del Arcoíris waterfall stay firm underfoot, and the orchid garden is in its best condition. Daylight runs roughly 10.5 to 12.5 hours.
  • Peak Crowds (December to February): Tour buses from Havana and Viñales arrive midday, so the waterfall pool fills by 11 am. Casa particular prices rise about 10 to 25 percent.
  • Wet Season (May to October): Afternoon downpours are routine, with highs of 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F) and heavy humidity. Trails turn muddy, the waterfall runs strongest, and mosquitoes multiply. Rooms are cheaper and the hills are nearly empty. Hurricane risk peaks from August to October.
  • Orchid
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (November to April): Soroa’s clearest stretch, with days around 24 to 29°C (75 to 84°F) and nights dipping to 15 to 18°C (59 to 64°F) in the cooler months. Trails to the Mirador and the Salto del Arcoíris waterfall stay firm underfoot, and the orchid garden is in its best condition. Daylight runs roughly 10.5 to 12.5 hours.
  • Peak Crowds (December to February): Tour buses from Havana and Viñales arrive midday, so the waterfall pool fills by 11 am. Casa particular prices rise about 10 to 25 percent.
  • Wet Season (May to October): Afternoon downpours are routine, with highs of 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F) and heavy humidity. Trails turn muddy, the waterfall runs strongest, and mosquitoes multiply. Rooms are cheaper and the hills are nearly empty. Hurricane risk peaks from August to October.
  • Orchid Bloom (roughly February to April): Many orchids flower in these months, which suits the botanical garden visit.
Arrive before 9 am on a weekday in any season to get the waterfall pool nearly to yourself.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

The best base is Soroa village itself, a scatter of family-run casas particulares along the main road and the lanes below the Mirador, within a 5 to 20 minute walk or short ride of the waterfall, orchid garden and Castillo de las Nubes. Rooms here come with home-cooked dinners on a porch or garden terrace, which is where most of the socializing happens, since the guests are mostly other backpackers, Cuban families and small groups of cyclists. Evenings are quiet, with frogs, roosters and a few rum bottles for company. It is also very safe, with little more than the usual hustling for taxis and … read more 👉
The best base is Soroa village itself, a scatter of family-run casas particulares along the main road and the lanes below the Mirador, within a 5 to 20 minute walk or short ride of the waterfall, orchid garden and Castillo de las Nubes. Rooms here come with home-cooked dinners on a porch or garden terrace, which is where most of the socializing happens, since the guests are mostly other backpackers, Cuban families and small groups of cyclists. Evenings are quiet, with frogs, roosters and a few rum bottles for company. It is also very safe, with little more than the usual hustling for taxis and horse rides to watch for.

If you want a livelier scene, stay in Las Terrazas, about 20 km east. It is a planned eco-community with a few homestays, a lake, and more foreign visitors, though fewer beds and more tour traffic. Candelaria, the nearest small town, is more local and gives cheaper rooms but little nightlife.

Book ahead from December to February, because the village has only a modest number of rooms. Pick a casa near the center if you rely on shared taxis, since walking back uphill after dark is slow and poorly lit.
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👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Soroa costs a backpacker about US$50 to 65 a day, with US$57 as a realistic total in high season once you count a casa particular bed, meals and entry fees. Most travelers pay in cash, and entry fees go to the waterfall area and the orchid garden.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$25 to 35A private room in a casa particular, often with breakfast extra. Low season drops to US$20 to 28.
BreakfastUS$3 to 5Eggs, fruit, bread and coffee served by your host.
Lunch and dinnerUS$10 to 14Home-cooked dinner of pork or chicken with rice, beans and salad runs US$8 to 12. Lunch is lighter.
Entry feesUS$3 to 6Waterfall area and orchid garden are charged separately. Both are cheap by international standards.
Local transportUS$2 to 5Short taxi or bici-taxi hops between sites. Walking
… read more 👉
Soroa costs a backpacker about US$50 to 65 a day, with US$57 as a realistic total in high season once you count a casa particular bed, meals and entry fees. Most travelers pay in cash, and entry fees go to the waterfall area and the orchid garden.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$25 to 35A private room in a casa particular, often with breakfast extra. Low season drops to US$20 to 28.
BreakfastUS$3 to 5Eggs, fruit, bread and coffee served by your host.
Lunch and dinnerUS$10 to 14Home-cooked dinner of pork or chicken with rice, beans and salad runs US$8 to 12. Lunch is lighter.
Entry feesUS$3 to 6Waterfall area and orchid garden are charged separately. Both are cheap by international standards.
Local transportUS$2 to 5Short taxi or bici-taxi hops between sites. Walking covers most of the village.
Activities and extrasUS$2 to 5Drinks, a small tip for guides or a horse ride to the waterfall.
Total Daily BudgetUS$57Excludes the ride in from Havana or Viñales.


source: cubatravel.cu
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Soroa

Soroa is a hilly area in Artemisa Province, western Cuba, known as the “Rainbow of Cuba” for its green slopes. The main draws are the Salto del Arcoíris waterfall, the Orquideario orchid garden with thousands of orchids, and the Mirador viewpoint. Entry to each site costs a few US dollars.
Soroa works as a full day from Havana, but one night is better, because it lets you reach the waterfall early and do the orchid garden and Mirador without rushing. A day visit covers roughly 4 to 6 hours on the ground. Two nights suit hikers who also want Las Terrazas, about 20 km away.
Soroa lies about 80 to 90 km southwest of Havana, a drive of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours on the Autopista Nacional. Most backpackers go by taxi colectivo or private taxi (around US$15 to 25 per person from Havana, more for a private car) or on a Viazul bus toward Pinar del Río, getting off at Candelaria. From Candelaria, a short taxi ride of roughly 10 to 15 minutes reaches the village.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Where to go next

Soroa isn’t the only highlight in Cuba. Explore all what Cuba has to offer.
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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Soroa

Soroa trips go wrong when people arrive on a midday tour, rush the waterfall and leave before the hills wake up. Sleep over in a casa particular instead. I would do the orchid garden first thing, then walk to the Mirador de Venus, and save the swim for late afternoon.

✈️ When did I visit Cuba?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Cuba for 6 weeks in February, March 2016, being extremely lucky that that coincided with the free concert of The Rolling Stones.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Cuba, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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