The city of Trinidad is undoubtedly one of the most romantic and charming destinations in Cuba. This incredibly well-preserved, colonial city is located in thesouthernpart of the country. After the hustle and bustle of Havana, I couldn’t imagine a better place to take a breath and relax.
THINGS TO SEE IN THE CITY OF TRINIDAD
PLAZA MAYOR
The main squire is set in the heart of Trinidad surrounded by plenty of charming and colorful streets. The classic cars, musicians playing on the streets, and horse carriages allow you to take a step back in time.
Mostly because of the gorgeous and well-preserved buildings around the Plaza Mayor, the city of Trinidad has been inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage site. The beauty of this place is so majestic that it is easy to be constantly fascinated by it.
BELL TOWER OF IGLESIA Y CONVENTO DE SAN FRANCISCO
The impressive yellow and green bell towel is definitely one of the most characteristic buildings in the city of Trinidad. There is a Museum of the Struggle against Bandits with intriguing exhibition, related to the counter revolutionary forces. Also, it is possible to reach the top of the towel which offers an incredible view over the city.
ART IN THE CITY OF TRINIDAD
What I absolutely love about Trinidad are art shops and craft markets that just blew my mind!
I explored plenty of charming and extraordinary galleries set around the city. So colorful and vibrant! The most popular is the Palacio Cantero, the Trinidad General Municipal Museum which presents an unique antiques and frescoes. Another interesting display of art, I found in theTrinitarian Architecture Museum presenting architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries.
PLAYA ANCON
After few days in the city, I needed to explore surrounding beaches around Trinidad! The most popular is Playa Ancon, located just 15 kilometers away from the city. It is a very popular spot for beach lovers to beat the heat, swim in the crystal-clear water and sit under the palm trees. How to get there? There are plenty of options like taxi ($7 – $12), scooter ($25 all day) or bicycle ($5). I found out that there is also a local bus that operates on this route and costs only 1 peso ($0,04), but it comes very infrequently. So stay patient 😉
THE CITY OF TRINIDAD AT NIGHT
The vibrant Trinidad doesn’t sleep! Music and dance play a major part in Cuba. While walking along the cobblestone streets, I just couldn’t resist the temptation to jump on the dance-floor!
The most popular nightlife spot in Trinidad is Casa de la Musica located at the top of the Plaza Mayor. This is a place to spend an evening in Trinidad and enjoy the real Cuban music. After practicing my salsa dancing skills on the stage of the Casa de la Musica in Trinidad, I could say that one of my dreams came true!
Another interesting place to explore is Disco Ayala. It is located inside of the natural cave on the outskirts of Trinidad, near theErmita Popa Church. The main show starts around 1 am, when all fire walkers, acrobats and snake-handlers come up to give a performance.
HIKE TO JAVIRA WATERFALL
The nearestEl Cubano National Park is a perfect escape to the Nature! Wear your hiking shoes, pack your bikini/shorts and go for a hike to the incredible Javira waterfall! From Trinidad, the hike to El Cubano National Park is about 16km. Taking the Huellas de la História trail, I reached the Javira Waterfall. The hike takes about 45 minutes through the surrounding valleys. Also, there is an option to take a taxi to get there in 25 minutes.
ACCOMMODATION IN THE CITY OF TRINIDAD
The most popular choice of accommodation in Cuba is a casa particular. It is basically a room for rent by Cuban family. If you would like to book a stay before coming to Trinidad, the budget friendly and convenient option is Airbnb. You can contact the owner of the house, ask about all details and plan your trip in advance. However, this is not necessary. There are lots of residents willing to rent a room straight away. When arriving to the city of Trinidad, you can spot plenty of locals standing with a sign casa particular. The price for a room is between $20 and $30 with a breakfast and a private bathroom.
WI-FI IN THE CITY OF TRINIDAD
The Wi-Fi is reachable in the Plaza Mayor. First you have to buy a prepaid ETECSA card in the ETECSA office or in your hotel. An hour internet access costs $2 and you cannot buy more than 3 cards at once.
HOW TO GET TO THE CITY OF TRINIDAD
City of Trinidad is situated about 5-6 hours drive from Havana, Cuba. You can easily get there by bus or taxi colectivo. The Viazul bus company is the most common transport among tourists on this route. During high season, I recommend to buy a ticket in advance, because tickets might be sold out. The bus runs 2 times per day and costs $25. Another option is a taxi colectivo for about $120, that you can share with friends, when you traveling in a group.