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Voykit pocket guide · Cuba
Soroa
Spend a half‑day (4–6 h) in Soroa: visit the orchid garden and waterfall, then hike the nearby hills.
Soroa is a small village in western Cuba, straddling a single road for 8 km. Its main attractions – the Orquideario (orchid garden) and Cascadas El Salto waterfall – are close together, making a half‑day visit realistic. Accommodations are casas particulares; a double room costs about US$25 per night.
- Country
- Cuba
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy season)
- Stay
- 0.5 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 CU$30–45 excl. bed · Mid CU$45–70 excl. bed · High CU$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 · Ambulance 104 · Fire 105
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Orquideario entry | $3 |
| Cascadas El Salto entry | $3 |
| Basic Creole meal at restaurant | $5 |
| Double room in casa particular | $25 per night |
| Taxi to Las Terrazas | $15 one‑way |
| Bike rental | $10 per day |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HAV · José Martí International Airport
- Main gateway; 1.5 h drive from Soroa, arrange a taxi or collectivo in advance
Typical fares
- Taxi Soroa → Las Terrazas
- about $15 one‑way
- Bike rental per day
- $10
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
Walk or bike along the main road (8 km (5 mi)). Taxis from the gas station cost US$15 to Las Terrazas. Local buses run free between Soroa and Candelaria. Bike rental about US$10/day (check with casa).Walk or bike along the main road (5 mi (8 km)). Taxis from the gas station cost US$15 to Las Terrazas. Local buses run free between Soroa and Candelaria. Bike rental about US$10/day (check with casa).
See and do
Known for
- Orquideario orchid garden
- Cascadas El Salto waterfall
- Mountain hikes
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Las Terrazas | Taxi from Soroa gas station, about US$15 one‑way, 20 min drive | ≈30 min total |
| Viñales | Collectivo from Havana to Viñales (US$15), then arrange drop‑off in Soroa; total travel ≈4 h each way | ≈8 h round‑trip |
| Candelaria | Local free bus from Soroa to Candelaria (≈15 min) | ≈30 min total |
Sleep
- Casas particulares (lower village)
- Most options near the highway; double room US$25/night, breakfast US$4, dinner US$10.
- Casas particulares (mountain area)
- Quieter, closer to hikes; same rates.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑kul‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑see‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwan‑to kwes‑ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?don‑de es‑ta el ba‑nyo |
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
- Viazul buses do not stop in Soroa; arrange drop‑off with the driver.
- Internet unavailable; plan offline maps.
- Waterfall trail can be slippery after rain.
Soroa is low‑risk; typical precautions are keeping valuables hidden, using licensed taxis, and watching slippery trails after rain.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Soroa yet. Suggested stay: 0.5 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Orquideario orchid garden
- Cascadas El Salto waterfall
- Mountain hikes
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Soroa coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/QXXXXX
- Wikivoyage: Soroa, revision 5111912 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5111912
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/soroa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.