Trinidad is one of Cuba’s best-preserved colonial towns, known for its rich history, sugar plantations, and vibrant culture. I visited here in August 2022 after Havana.
To get here from Havana, you need to hire a taxi for a few hours and you could share it with others. Unlike Havana, Trinidad has quick access to beaches, more of a small town vibe, and not as busy. However there were still many tourists here and you can find some really amazing restaurants.
Is Trinidad worth going?
I liked the small town feeling, good food options, and the proximity to beaches. So I think this is a great place to add to your Cuba trip. However, when I was there there was about 12 hours of electricity cut everyday and it was really hot at night, so this may make your experience not as good.
I find Trinidad to be a very different experience from Havana, an escape from the chaotic big cities. People here were friendlier and not always trying to earn my money. Some restaurant staff saw I was carrying a huge bag and immediately pointed me to the direction of my homestay without expecting any kind of payment. So, I personally loved my short stay here, despite the lack of electricity.
Food
Simple rice and meat
Food here is similar to Havana, simplicity at its finest. Every meal is protein (chicken/pork/beef) with rice. Nothing fancy but definitely healthy.
There are surprisingly some really fancy restaurants here, with their own electricity generator when the electricity goes off. One of them that I frequented is Restaurante San Jose and got these traditional Cuban dishes. The ambience is what you would not imagine in Cuba, there’s tons of wine, modern set up etc but still with a dash of Cuban/Spanish influence.
Pizza and Alcohol
You can also find Italian dishes (pasta, pizza) here, personally I find the pasta here much better than the touristy Havana ones, but the pizza as you can see above, is, shall I say, underwhelming. Like Havana, alcohol was cheap here, averages $1-$2, and I got one whenever I needed to use the bar’s wifi because I did not have a SIM card as I heard cell service was bad in Cuba even if you have a SIM card.
Accommodation
Similar to my time in Havana, you should find local-ran homestays. You can find them on all major booking platforms even Airbnb. These hosts are registered with the government and very safe and trustworthy. I stayed with a family, and the father was a local tour guide. This family had 2 cute dogs too. I am not sure if there are hotels in Trinidad like the ones in Havana, but from my chats with most other tourists, they mainly stayed with hosts.
Included in the accommodation is a typical breakfast of fruits, juice, coffee, bread and eggs. Personally I loved this kind of breakfast.
Places I went to
Plaza Mayor Trinidad
Plaza Mayor Trinidad, located in the heart of Trinidad, Cuba, is the town’s principal square and a significant focal point of its historic centre. Surrounded by magnificent colonial architecture and vibrant cultural life, this plaza has served as the community’s hub since the town’s foundation in 1514. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved colonial plazas in the Caribbean!
Trinidad is a small town you can really walk everywhere here.
Plaza Mayor is surrounded by historic mansions, museums, and the famous Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad, the largest church in Trinidad, built in 1892. On a side note, I saw a group of Korean tourist aunties here and that took me by surprise because I only saw a few younger Asian tourists in Havana.
Bell Tower of the Convent of San Francisco de Asís is on the left, it is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. This was where I saw the group of Korean ladies!
A random Church building – This building is right in front of the homestay I was at. At night when the electricity goes out I would just come to the rooftop where it was cooler and stare at this building for a while. I believe this is a church now, the architecture is very distinct though.
This was a sleepy area, maybe because I came in the afternoon so there were not as many tourists as I was expecting? But I enjoyed the casual walks exploring the area, the history and the architecture. I felt that there just aren’t as many places like this anymore.
Playa Ancón
Playa Ancón, situated approximately 12 kilometers from the historic town of Trinidad, Cuba, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant marine life. This idyllic beach destination, framed by the Caribbean Sea and the Sierra del Escambray mountains, offers a picturesque setting of fine golden sands and crystal-clear waters. It is one of Cuba’s most beautiful beaches and the best beach near Trinidad. It offers soft white sand, clear Caribbean waters, and a relaxed vibe, making it a perfect getaway from the colonial town.
From Trinidad, you have to buy a bus ticket to reach here. There were many tourist agencies in town to sell you the tickets, so no issues getting here at all.
There are resorts nearby, but very few tourists. I was not sure if that was the usual amount of tourists here. There were some coconut/ drinks sellers, but those near the resort charge a lot. I met an Italian lady who walked around and found a further away store selling coconut for much cheaper.
As tourists, we do get pestered a lot to overpay. For example I paid $5 for this beer! Crazy! But I just wanted to try it for once because I thought it was Cuban beer (turned out to be Spanish – Barcelona).
I also found alot of salp on the beach. I had no idea what these jelly-like balls were but they are some kind of transparent, gelatinous marine organism.
Overall I did enjoy the empty beaches, unlike the crowded ones in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You will get half a day here if you took the bus from Trinidad, and that is a long time just checking this area out. So bring a book, get a tan (Don’t forget sun screen)!
Horse Riding at country side
The Italian lady referred me to a horse-riding guide, but usually you can find many in Trinidad. I paid $10 for a few hours of horse riding into the country side from Trinidad, overall it was very fun and I would recommend it just to get a feel of the rural life in Cuba.
Casa De la Musica Trinidad
Casa de la Música is a prominent cultural establishment nestled in the heart of Trinidad, Cuba, serves as a vital hub for the town’s rich musical heritage. Probably the most famous nightlife spot in Trinidad, offering live salsa, Afro-Cuban beats, and dancing under the stars. It’s a must-visit for anyone looking to experience authentic Cuban culture, music, and social life.
I know there’s a underground cave club Disco Ayal near here but I did not go personally. Otherwise, definitely come here for nightlife if it is your thing! This area was not as crazy as Las Vegas but for a small town in Cuba it was fun enough.
Thoughts
I was speaking to the father of the household I stayed at when I took this photo (I edited it and I like the color combinations). Forgot what we were talking about, maybe about his restaurant recommendations.
I felt sorry for Cubans, because it is probably really difficult for them to see the vast world outside of Cuba. And dealing with half days of electricity cut was difficult.
But somehow I felt jealous of this simplicity life they had too. As you see more things in this world, your desire also gets bigger. When your options are limited, maybe, you do not think as much.
Anyway, Trinidad is a place where you get to get closer to Cubans and feel their real day-to-day lives and get access to some good small town vibes and beaches. It is a good escape from Havana. Come here if your schedule allows for it. It is worth it!