Trinidad

This stunning UNESCO World Heritage city, with Spanish colonial buildings and cobblestone streets was by far one of my favourite places in Cuba. Despite the hoards of tourists, it has an inescapable charm. Positioned nearby both the Caribbean Sea and the Sierra del Escambray, Trinidad has countless museums, viewpoints and emanates with the rhythm of Cuba.

What To See In Trinidad

Main Square

Sitting in the heart of the Old Town is Plaza Mayor, a quiet square divided by flowering hedges and palm trees. To the north of the square is the cream coloured Church of the Holy Trinity, which dates back to 1892. It is free to enter when it is open 11am-12:30pm Monday to Saturday. Surrounding the square are colonial style mansions now converted into museums. These include the Romantic Museum located inside the Brunet Palace. This was the first museum in Trinidad and the building was completed back in 1808. It features a collection of 19th century homewares, artworks and lingerie. You will also find the Trinidad Museum of Architecture and the Guamuhaya Mountains Archaeology Museum. 

Convento San Francisco de Asis

Perhaps the most iconic building in Trinidad is the convent’s yellow bell tower. For only 1CUC you can climb the bell tower for incredible views that stretch all the way down to the sea and up into the Sierra del Escambray mountains. I could barely drag myself away. Below the tower is the Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos (National Museum of the Fight Against Bandits) which exhibits objects used by rebels in the surrounding area between 1960-65. 

Plaza Los Tres Cruces

The neighbourhood of Calvario, also known as Tres Cruces (Three crosses), is a short walk east of central Trinidad. This is one of the first neighbourhoods in Trinidad and is an area of deep religious tradition. The square itself is made up of uneven dirt and patches of grass where locals play soccer, horses roam and cowboys try to sell their trail rides to tourists. 

Municipal Historic Museum

The Municipal Museum, also known as the Cantero Palace, takes you through the history of Trinidad. From the introduction of African slaves, to being repeatedly attacked by pirates, Dutch and Englishmen, and through its’ time as a mass sugar producer. It also tells the story of Justo Cantero, whom the palace is named after, who acquired the property by poisoning a slave trader and marrying his widow before she too met an untimely death. You can also climb the tower here for what was my favourite view of Trinidad! Entry to the museum is $2CUC and is open 9am-5pm Saturday to Thursday. 

Ermita de Santa Ana

If you wander outside of Trinidad’s Old Town it’s worth passing by the ruins of Santa Ana Church. In the Plaza Santa Ana across the street there was once a prison. There is an eeriness about this quiet, deteriorating corner of Trinidad that’s worth a look if you’re passing by.

Explore Outside Old Town

The majority of Trinidad’s attractions are located within the cobblestone streets of the Old Town. Not far beyond are paved roads, lined with colourful, decaying buildings where most locals live. For a look into local life outside the UNESCO city I recommend wandering a few blocks out. 

Casa de la Musica

Just to the right of Plaza Mayor are what have come to be known as the music stairs. The House of Music nightclub is situated at the top of a large stairway, filled with tables and chairs. They offer table service while you sit and enjoy the live Cuban music. More relaxed during the day, in the evening the stairs are fenced off as a line begins to form for their 10pm salsa show. It’s easy to lose track of time here as we discovered about 7 hours later. The cuba libres are cheap at just $2.50CUC, beers start at $1.25CUC or you can buy rum by the bottle. They also have a snack menu with Cuba’s classic ham and cheese sandwiches starting at $1.55CUC, although most of the menu was unavailable. The perfect place to start a night out in Trinidad. The bottom of the steps are usually crowded with people trying to connect to the ETECSA hotspot. 

Party In A Cave

Up on the hill behind Trinidad, deep within a cave is Disco Ayala Cave Nightclub. A bit of a hike after drinking on the music stairs all afternoon, it opens at 10pm and the $5CUC entry includes 1 free drink. We made our way down the stairs and into the cave as the music got louder and louder. Strobe lights and lasers hung amongst the dripping stalactites. The bar was well stocked and the dance floor packed. The music was a real mix of top charts, salsa and rave, but who cared we were dancing in a cave! 

Viewpoint

About a 30 minute uphill walk from Trinidad’s centre will lead you to Loma de la Vigia (Hill Viewpoint). From here you can enjoy expansive views over all of Trinidad, out to the sea and across the thick, green Sierra del Escambray mountain range. There are several day trips you can take into these mountains to visit waterfalls and farms. You can’t miss the cowboys in the streets advertising their horse riding tours. Alternatively you could arrange a trip through your casa host or visit the Cubanacan tourist office and pay twice as much. 

Playa Ancon

Twenty minutes’ drive south of Trinidad is a long stretch of white sand called Playa Ancon. To get there I recommend taking the hop on hop off shuttle from Trinidad (see below). Once there I found myself a palm thatched umbrella to relax under and swam in the perfect blue Caribbean water. Keep an eye out for stingers. The day I visited multiple people, including myself, got stung by jelly fish. Otherwise it was the perfect beach day. 

Where To Stay In Trinidad

Hostal Fontiarc offers an incredible location for your stay in Trinidad for just $15CUC per night. I was only a 20 metre walk to Plaza Mayor, 200 metres from the Viazul bus and my room looked directly out onto the Cantero Palace. Liena and her gorgeous family were very welcoming. Breakfast was $5CUC and served in their back courtyard. My room had 2 single beds, private air con, ensuite and once again I was lucky enough to have wifi access from my room. They also organised my onward collectivo for me. Unbeatable location and value. 

Getting To & Around Trinidad

Viazul

Trinidad is a major connecting city for several Viazul services. From here busses depart to Havana, Varadero, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Santi Spiritus and further west to Camaguey, Holguin and Santiago de Cuba to name a few.

 

Local Bus

Trinidad has a hop on hop off shuttle bus which departs from the Trinidad Habanatur/Cubacan building on Calle San Procopio and runs along Calle Gutierrez, stopping at the Cubatur office on the corner of Calle Rosario and again on the following corner of Calle Desengano, before heading out of town toward to coast. The shuttle leaves Trinidad and 9am, 11am, 2pm & 5pm and returns 10am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm & 6pm. It costs $5CUC for an all day pass, just pay the driver as your board.


Bike Rental

Trinidad is another popular place to hire a bike and explore. Many people choose to ride the 40 minutes out to Playa Ancon.