Although it was not until
1968 that  Las
Terrazas was destined to be a sustainable development community
project, the history of the region dates back to the pre-Columbian
era.
The first inhabitants of the area were identified as Mesolithic
groups, particularly aboriginals Ciboneyes Preagroalfareros.
These groups had a degree of socio-economical development
related to an adaptable economy (adapt the nature's reserves
for survival), later mastering hunting, fishing and fire
making. The aboriginals of the area lived in caves where
many of the pictographic works still can be found.
At the beginning of the XVIIIth century, many descendants
of the Canaries and the peninsula who were specifically
dedicated to the culture of the Tobacco Corojo, an endemic
variety characterized by the exquisite great leaf used for
the Habano's final envelope settled in the area. The low
remuneration of this work together with the establishment
of the Law on the monopoly of tobacco (only farmers could
sell the leaf to Spain at very low prices) determined the
total absence of the economic evolution of the zone.
 At
the beginning of the XIX century arrived the first French
landowners, forming therefore an important economy based
on the culture of coffee. Witnesses of this era are 50 ruins
of great properties that were dedicated to the culture of
this coveted grain. The most important one called Buena
Vista was totally rescued from its ruins and converted into
a pleasant restaurant from which a magnificent view of the
Sierra del Rosario can be appreciated.
Starting with the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, a development
plan for the Sierra del Rosario region founded the Community
of Las Terrazas that became a living proof of sustained
development. The community was structured as a miniature
city located in the narrow valley by the San Juan Lake.
Of great architectural value, it was designed according
to both the constructions and the beautiful landscape and
relief and taking into account the basic necessary installations
for a complete urban functioning.
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