Introduction: Cuba Trinidad Travel Guide
Trinidad is one of a kind, a perfectly preserved Spanish colonial settlement. Famous for its colonial old town and cobblestone streets making it Cuba’s best preserved colonial city and a unique place to admire 1850s’ architecture mixed up with 1950s’ car and horses.
The city has been enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.
Trinidad is one the top city to visit in Cuba and we would definitely recommend staying 2 to 3 days there to be able to explore the city.
1 day to stroll around the beauty of the colonial town and 1 day to go horse riding the national park and the waterfalls.
Let’s discover this 2 days Trinidad Travel Guide
Table of Contents
Mapping the Cuba Trinidad Travel Guide
Getting there
The easiest way to reach Trinidad is by taking either a collective or private taxi or by hoping on the ViAzul bus that runs between Havana and Trinidad and stop at Cienfuegos. The bus journey takes around 4h30min from Havana and 1h30 from Cienfuegos. The taxi journey takes around 2h.
If you are in Havana, another option would be to fly a local plane to Trinidad.
Moving Around
Once in town, the best way to get around is by walking around the city. Most of the places are nearby and won’t require a special transportation. If you want to go to the beach, the easiest is to hire a taxi that will drop you there and then pick you up later.
You can arrange that with the taxi driver. Plus, it will be another ride in an old American car!
When to Visit
The best time to visit Trinidad is during the dry season running from December to March. At this time, the weather will be warm and dry. Temperature will get from 19°C to 32°C.
The rain season runs from June to October, most people avoid this period as rainfall can happen it a second.
Where to Stay
As always in Cuba, the Casa Particulares are the best place to stay in. You can easily find one on Airbnb. This is the best way to experience Cuba.
If you prefer to stay in a hotel, this is the best one in town: Iberostar Heritage Grand Trinidad
We stayed at “Hostal la Esmeralda” which was a cool place, comfortable and with a cool terrasse.
What to Eat
The Trinidad Travel Guide retakes the same what to eat as our other Cuba Guide.
The best food to try in Cuba are:
- Ropa Vieja: Stew beef
- Arroz con pollo: Rice with chicken
- Frijoles negros Cubanos/Moros y Cristianos: Rice with black beans
- Chiviricos: Fried dough with sugar
- Cerdo asado: Roast Pork
Vegan options:
- Yuca con Mojo: Cassava Manioc with sauce
The best drink to try are:
- Cuba Libre
- Mojito
Things to do Trinidad Travel Guide
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is the main square in town. It is a beautiful square surrounded by palm tree lanes and beautiful landmarks.
Galería de Arte Universal Benito Ortiz
Open in 1983 in an old colonial house from 1809, the place is also known as the Ortiz Palace and belonged to the governor of the city in the past. Now it became an art gallery on two level.
On the first floor, the balcony offers amazing views of the Plaza Mayor.
Church of the Holy Trinity
While around the main square, let’s make a stop inside the beautiful church of the Holy Trinity know as the “Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad”. The edifice was built in 1892 on the site an old church destroyed by a cyclone.
Museo de Historia Municipal
Also knows as the “Palacio Cantero” the museum is hosted in one largest and most impressive of the houses surrounding the Plaza Mayor. It’s a stunning place to see and the rooftop offers amazing view toward the city.
National Museum of the Struggle Against Bandits
Know as the “Museo de la Lucha contra Bandidos” is a memorial to the bandits (counter-revolution forces) that took refuge in the nearby Escambray Mountains (Sierra del Escambray) after the Cuban revolution and fought against Fidel Castro’s government in the Escambray Revolt.
Plazuela de Segarte
Stroll around the flea market on Plazuela de Segarde and enjoy some local vibes.
Playa Ancon
Playa Ancon or Ancon beach is rumored to be one on the best beaches in Cuba. It is a 15min ride from Trinidad to the beach by taxi.
We went there by the end of the afternoon and the beach was incredible and secluded. Even with 2 big hotels on it, it was almost empty. The sand is white and fine with a nice crystal-clear water.
Gran parque natural Topes de Collantes
One of the best things to do in Trinidad is to go explore the Topes de Collantes National Park which is a massive natural reserve.
The park can be explored on your own, but it is best enjoyed while riding a horse. You can easily organize a day tour horse riding (or carriage) from your accommodations.
The excursion starts almost in town, so you just walk there, hop on the horse and go on! Along the journey, you will make a stop at a local farm to eat, try some fresh cane sugar drinks and listen to local music.
That’s a whole day on the horse, so be aware your but may hurt in the end hahaha! Mine did.
On the journey, you will also make a stop at a waterfall, so bring your swimsuit 😊
Time for School
While strolling around we popped by a local school. It was great seeing how Cuban kids are learning. Schools are different from the one we are used in Europe or China.
2 days Itinerary Trinidad Cuba
Day 1:
- Plaza Mayor
- Galería de Arte Universal Benito Ortiz
- Church of the Holy Trinity
- Museo de Historia Municipal
- National Museum of the Struggle Against Bandits
- Kirche Trinidad
- Plazuela de Segarte
Day 2 :
- Gran parque natural Topes de Collantes
- Playa Ancon
“Every day People straighten up the hair, why not the heart?” ― che guevara
