Best Things to do in Trinidad | Cuba Travel Guide

Trinidad, a colourful town located on the south coast of Cuba in the province of Sancti Spíritus is filled to the brim with olde-worlde charm. The cobble streets, colonial architecture and nearby beaches make it a must-visit place on any trip to Cuba.

Located between the lush greens of the majestic Escambray mountain range and the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, the perfectly preserved old town of Trinidad has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

It’s not just its physical beauty that makes Trinidad one of Cuba’s top destinations, it’s the laid-back atmosphere. Adding to this is the array of things to do in the surrounding area that adds to its appeal for adventure-seekers.

How to get to Trinidad

Below are the distances from the most popular places you’ll likely to be travelling from. We ended up travelling from Cienfuegos so the journey wasn’t very long and we could get a taxi there for $35 CUC, but you can also get a bus for approximately $6 per person.

4 hours/315km from Havana
4 hours/265km from Varadero
6 hours/490km from Viñales
1 hour/85 km from Cienfuegos

For times and prices visit the Viazul website. (Viazul is the national bus company designed for tourists and covers almost the entire island. It’s ideal if you’re on a budget and need to factor in costs beforehand too).

Accommodation in Trinidad

Trinidad is a relatively small city so most places are within easy reach by foot wherever you’re situated in the city. However, if you want everything on your doorstep, including a decent selection of bars and restaurants, you’ll want to stay in the Old Town. 

If you’re all about the beach life, then staying at Playa Ancon will give you the sun, sea and sand that you desire. I only visited for a day, but if I had had longer in Cuba, I would have happily whittled away a few days at the beach in a cabana. 

Things to do in Trinidad

Bike Ride to Playa Ancón

While you could easily take a taxi to Playa Ancón, a bike ride is the best way to set your eyes on beautiful scenery and burn off some calories before lazing on the beach all day drinking from coconuts!

We rented bikes for $5 CUC/day, but we didn’t realise how heavy and clumsy they would be to ride until our journey had begun! Nevertheless, we embraced the extra challenge in the heat and rewarded ourselves with several stops to catch our breath along the way.

Distance from Trinidad to Playa Ancón

The ride is a leisurely 1 hour, 12km (8 mile) pedal from town and you’ll need to make sure you take the fork right at Casilda on your way to the beach.

The roads are pretty flat and smooth which makes the journey pleasurable, adding to this are the constant views of mountains and the occasional picturesque farm with cattle grazing.

Bring water: Before you ride back make sure you are fully hydrated after sunbathing. Otherwise the ride back into town will be draining.

Get a good bird’s-eye view of town

Who doesn’t love a good aerial view of a new city, especially one as beautiful as Trinidad? It’s every bit as scenic from above as it is in the streets, and a quick climb to the top of La Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco in the middle of town is the place to head.

It costs around $3 CUC to climb the rickety stairs for a panorama of tiled roofs, multi-coloured buildings and a view that sprawls straight out to sea. Ticket also includes access to a small museum on the first floor.

Hiking to Salto del Caburni

Surrounding Trinidad are the emerald peaks of the Sierra del Escambray with some rewarding hikes. Here, in the Topes de Collantes National Park, Ruchi and I embarked on a trail to the 75-meter waterfall of Salto del Caburni. 

The trail is about 6 kilometres round trip through a forest of palm and pine trees. En route you can spot hummingbirds, woodpeckers, insects, and beautiful tropical plants. Once we arrived at the falls, we cooled off in the natural pools and relaxed for a while until we needed to make the journey back.

It was interesting to see which part Ruchi and I found the most difficult. Where I found getting to the falls really easy because most of it was downhill, Ruchi found it more difficult since it put greater pressure on her knees. But on the way back on the uphill, she skipped right ahead whereas I was sweating and panting like an old dog with every step I took.

To get to the National Park we got a taxi there and back. Also, remember to wear appropriate footwear as the trail can be narrow and steep.

Dancing the Cuban way at Casa de La Musica

Although nearly every Cuban city has a Casa de la Musica, the location and spirit of this one makes it extra special. Imagine a massive cobblestone staircase above the Plaza Major in which every stair is 4 feet wide part of the dance floor. The result is hundreds of people dancing on the various stairs, creating as many levels of dance floors as there are stairs. Live music is performed every night from 7pm onwards, leaving plenty of opportunity to go.

Party inside a natural cave

Ruchi and I had full intention of checking out what a party in a cave was all about after some locals told us about it during our time at Playa Ancón. However, our plans got squashed with the arrival of Hurricane Irma and we had to lie low for a few days. So if you’re intrigued and looking for some extra-late partying, ask around for Disco Ayala when you get to Trinidad. The locals will the information you need about this club inside a natural cave.

Horse Riding

If you didn’t manage to go horse riding in Viñales, then Trinidad is the next best place. Life in Trinidad town is still very much entwined with the countryside. During a horse ride, your guide will take you up into the dry hills behind Trinidad, passing tobacco farms and Sugar mills, both vital for the town’s economy.

Grab your camera and roam around

The perfectly preserved old town with its open-air museum of colonial architecture is about as photogenic as a city can be. Many of the big mansions were formerly home to wealthy sugarcane plantation owners, and now many have been turned into restaurants and shops.

It’s hard to put your camera away in Trinidad with something different around every corner worth capturing. The whole city is like a museum of a bygone era. From the multi-colored buildings, cobble-stone streets, clay-made roofs, panoramic views, horse-carriages and people strumming away on their guitars.

Architecture Museum

Since Trinidad is famous for its colonial architecture it makes sense to have a museum dedicate to the city’s architecture, right? Housed in the Sanchez Iznaga mansion plus two combined 18th century buildings.

The museum is small but the detailed exhibits showcase the evolution of the city. On display are a number of examples of colonial architectural elements from Trinidad along with descriptions. Once you visit you will gain a better insight into the changes that have occurred throughout the city. Ask for a guide if possible.

Where to eat

The food in Cuba is nothing to write home about, but Ruchi and I found Trinidad to have the best food hands down of all the places we visited in Cuba.

We were really craving some strong and exciting flavours by the time we reached Trinidad, and we found exactly that at La Redaccion and Sol Ananda. I promise, your taste buds will burst with happiness during a visit to both these restaurants!

For more information check out my foodie guide to Trinidad.

Where to sleep

Budget: I recommend Hostal Marledy Y Miguel, it’s a very popular casa, located in the historical centre so you’ll have everything on your doorstep.
Splurge: If you’d prefer a hotel, then Iberostar Grand is the best in town but it’s pricey.

How long should you stay in Trinidad?

I think 4 nights is the perfect length of time. Though quite often travellers arrive and end up staying longer because it’s such great place to relax and unwind.

You might also like:

• 10 Ways to Experience Cuban Culture
• Cuba: Essential Travel Advise You Should Know Before Going
• Two Weeks in Cuba – The Perfect Itinerary

Are you planning a trip to Trinidad in Cuba?