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Voykit pocket guide · Cuba
Las Terrazas
Do a half‑day visit from Havana; take a morning bus, explore the lake and coffee‑plantation ruins, then return in the afternoon.
Las Terrazas is a small eco‑village in western Cuba, built around a lake and surrounded by forest. It is reachable by a Viazul bus from Havana in about 2 h, making it a convenient day‑trip destination. The village offers walking trails, a row‑boat rental, free swimming, and nearby coffee‑plantation ruins. Accommodation is limited to one modest hotel, so most visitors stay elsewhere and visit for a few hours.
- Country
- Cuba
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (rainy, hotter)
- Stay
- 0 (day‑trip) or 1 if you book Hotel Moka. nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CUP
- Money
- Currency is the Cuban peso (CUP). There are three official rates: 24 and 120 CUP per US dollar for state accounting, and a managed "floating" rate launched in December 2025 (about 680 CUP per US$1 in late September 2026). The informal street rate tracked by elTOQUE was about 730 CUP per US$1 on 26 September 2026. Rates move weekly — check before you go (checked 2026-09).
- Daily spend
- Budget US$30–45 excl. bed · Mid US$45–70 excl. bed · High US$70+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- ETECSA is the only operator; tourist SIMs and eSIMs are sold with passport at the airport and ETECSA offices (check eSIM).
- Emergency
- Police 106 · Fire and ambulance 105 · Medical 104
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C, L · 110 V and 220 V · 60 Hz · Casas often have both; check before plugging in.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% in cash.; Casa hosts, drivers, musicians: US$1–5.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water can be scarce, so bring a filter bottle or tablets.
- Toilets
- Often without seats or paper; carry tissue and small coins for attendants.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Row‑boat (hour) | US$2 |
| Hotel Moka room | US$50–60 |
| Meal at local restaurant | US$1–6 |
| Coffee at lakeside bar | US$0.5–1 |
| Viazul bus (one way) | US$15 |
| Water taxi on lake (optional) | US$3–5 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HAV · José Martí International Airport
- Main international gateway; 2 h bus to Las Terrazas
Typical fares
- Havana → Las Terrazas (Viazul)
- about US$15 one way, 2 h travel (check)
- Row‑boat hire
- US$2 per hour
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The village is compact; most sights are within a 1 km (0.6 mi) walk from the bus stop.The village is compact; most sights are within a 0.6 mi (1 km) walk from the bus stop.
See and do
Known for
- Lake San Juan
- Coffee plantation ruins
- Row‑boat rentals
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Soroa | Viazul bus to Pinar del Río, then local taxi ~30 min | ≈2 h total |
| Viñales | Viazul bus continues to Viñales after Las Terrazas; alight at Viñales stop | ≈2 h 30 min total |
Sleep
- Hotel Moka
- Only hotel in the village, rooms US$50–60 per night.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Holahola |
| Thank you | Graciasgra-SEE-as |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah |
| Where is the lake? | ¿Dónde está el lago?DON-deh es-TAH el LA-go |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, or a cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Casas: Respect the family's routine and water use; avoid: Leaving air conditioning on in blackouts or low supply
- Shortages: Share useful supplies if asked; avoid: Handing out gifts in the street
- Politics: Let hosts lead; avoid: Pushing people to criticise the government
Scams and watch-outs
- Weekends and holidays bring large local crowds; noise and drunken behaviour can affect the atmosphere.
- Staying in unofficial casa particular is illegal; rely on Hotel Moka or day‑trip only.
Generally safe during daylight; crowds on weekends can be noisy, keep belongings secure.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Las Terrazas yet. Suggested stay: 0 (day‑trip) or 1 if you book Hotel Moka. nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Lake San Juan
- Coffee plantation ruins
- Row‑boat rentals
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Las Terrazas, revision 5241512 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5241512
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/las-terrazas). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.