Visiting Trinidad is like traveling through time, surrounded by lively colors and dissimilar charms.

It constitutes, without a doubt, a colonial architectural jewel of Cuba and America, not only for the attractions of nature, the beaches and the beauties of its seabed, and the generosity of the people but also, for the historical and cultural values ​​that it possesses. .

A clear element of this is the great natural and archaeological reserve of the sugar industry of the nineteenth century, whose production made this city the most prosperous in Cuba.

Despite constituting such a small space, you can perform various activities such as: discovering the history of its people, its streets and its inherently colonial essence; visit its valleys and enjoy the beautiful views of what was once one of the main sugar areas of Cuba; or know its beaches and have a moment of relaxation and relaxation.

 

Read on to learn more about this beautiful city, which together with Havana, is undoubtedly one of the most tourist cities on the island!

 

Aspects related to the topic:

• Where is the city of Trinidad located?
• When was Trinidad founded?
• How to get to Trinidad?
• Interesting facts about Trinidad

1. What to do in Trinidad?

2. Visit the Plaza Mayor

3. Enjoy the atmosphere of the staircase and the House of Music
4. Climb to the Bell Tower of the San Francisco Convent
5. Visit the Canchánchara Tavern
6. Make an excursion to the Valley of the Sugar Mills, now a World Heritage Site
7. Visit the Beer House:
8. Getting lost in the cobbled streets of the city
9. Enjoy its beaches

Where is the city of Trinidad located?

Trinidad is located in the center of Cuba, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, in the foothills of the mountain mass of Guamuahaya or Escambray, belonging to the province of Sancti Spíritus.

 

When was Trinidad founded?

 

The old Cuban colonial town of Trinidad was founded in the 16th century specifically in the year 1514 thanks to Diego Velázquez.

Four years after its foundation, it began to adopt a fundamental role in the distribution of the gold that was extracted from the country at that time and that was later transported to Spain.

This period was followed by a period of decline that was interrupted thanks to the sugar plantations in the nearby Valle de los Ingenios.

Which caused that in the short term sumptuous palaces like those of Brunet, Bécquer, Cantero, Iznaga and Borrell were raised; the streets and squares will be paved, and churches and theaters will be built.

But due to economic circumstances, in the mid-1840s the splendor reached in the village begins to fall apart.

Nowadays, it has lost its industrial importance, but thanks to the love of its inhabitants and to the permanent vigil of the patrimonial authorities of the heritage its beauty prevails in spite of the years.

And it was even declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, as one of the best preserved territories in all of Latin America.

 

How to get to Trinidad?

 

In Trinidad most of the travelers arrive or from, Cienfuegos that is just 1 hour of bus trip around the south circuit, or from Havana which is about 4 hours. However, Trinidad has connections with many other cities and also with the area of ​​Cayo Santa María.

You can catch the viazul buses.

The price from Havana to Trinidad is USD 25 per person, keep in mind that to reach the Havana bus station is 10 CUC per taxi.

Another way, is to rent a taxi, the price ranges between 110 CUC.

You can get in the same street with the taxi drivers or there are even some local businesses where they offer these services, or if you are staying in a hotel go to reception, there they can help you.

 

Interesting facts about Trinidad:

 

Trinities one of the hottest cities on the island, so it is advisable to go in shorts, summer dresses, T-shirts and could use a pair of tennis.

Since the streets are cobbled, full of stones and it is very difficult to walk through them.

The atmosphere is very special, houses of many colors and very friendly people.

Predominantly called Trinidad yellow, characteristic of the area, a tonality that reinforces its colonial and ancient style. They also highlight the green, blue and pink tones in the buildings that make it up.

It has indescribable natural beauties such as the Great Protected Natural Park Topes de Collantes.

There are craft shops, restaurants, bars and recreation centers.

It is considered an Artisan City due to its valuable work in crafts.

It has innumerable buildings worthy of admiration that will undoubtedly trap you.

 

What to do in Trinidad?

 

• Visit the Plaza Mayor

 

 

This is the best example of Trinidad’s legacy and heritage value.

According to historians, it is suggested that with the arrival of the Spaniards in Cuba, the town began to be developed.

At that time it was composed of a central square and a church, around which were built the main homes and shops that laid the foundations of the subsequent development of the city.

Born what we know today as the Plaza Mayor de Trinidad, with its particular atmosphere and form.

 

It was not always called like that, but it received other names like:

The church square

Constitution Plaza

Plaza de Recreo or Plaza Serrano

Martí Square

 

In the center there is a marble statue of Terpsichore, muse of dance.

At its entrance two greyhounds cast in iron. Also two old cisterns built in 1868 that were rescued during the restoration of the Plaza.

 

 

Around it, most of the oldest buildings in the city are concentrated, as well as the Major Church of the Holy Trinity of the 19th century whose façade is undoubtedly the most photographed spot in Trinidad.

 

There are other nearby buildings such as the Brunet Palace or the House of the Conspirators.

 

• Enjoy the atmosphere of the staircase and the House of Music

In the vicinity of the Plaza Mayor there is a Stairs that are always full of people.

Here there are many bars and among them the Casa de la Música stands out.

Recreational center that opens its doors to anyone who wants to enjoy and get involved in a Cuban environment, starting from,

And even if you do not want to enter the House of Music you can sit outside a bar, or on the same staircase accompanied by delicious mojitos to a CUC and enjoy live concerts of traditional Cuban music or the internet.

You do not necessarily have to consume drinks in that same place to enjoy the stairs, you can buy in another if you want and sit down if problem.

 

• Climb to the Bell Tower of the San Francisco Convent

 

 

Very close to the Plaza Mayor is another relic of the city, the Convent of San Francisco, which is another place that must be visited.

In front, in Plazuela del Cristo there are usually Cuban musicians who play music, so it is also a nice place to enjoy some Cuban music.

Paying a 1 CUC you can go up to the bell tower

From the top you can enjoy wonderful views of the city, the sea and the surrounding mountains.

 

• Visit the Canchánchara Tavern

 

A cozy place where everyone who visits Trinidad is concentrated.

Here you can enjoy live Cuban music or delicious pina coladas although the traditional cocktail of the place is the Canchánchara emerged on the island during the period of independence wars against Spain.

This is made up of brandy, lemon, honey, ice and water.

Today they are served in small clay pots, whose shape resembles that of güira or coconut, which are also sold as souvenirs at 2 CUC or 4 CUC and even more, depending on the size of the canchánchara.

 

 

• Make an excursion to the Valley of the Sugar Mills, now a World Heritage Site

 

The Valley of the Sugar Mills at that stage in which Trinidad depended on the production of sugar was characterized by the presence of dozens of factories and the use of slave labor.

It is located just 10 km from Trinidad.

There are different ways to go:

You can go on horseback or on the historic train.

During the excursion some stops are made, for example, at the Manaca Iznaga farm.

 

 

Here there is a very tall tower that was used to control the slaves.

If you wish you can go up, and from the top you can see very nice views.

 

 

• Visit the Beer House:

 

Bar very nice and especially very delicious for all those beer lovers.

It is located in the ruins of the Brunet Theater.

Beer and cocktails cost around 2 CUC.

 

• Getting lost in the cobbled streets of the city

 

The most rewarding thing about Trinidad is simply getting lost in its cobbled streets and enjoying its atmosphere.

And thus be able to see their different faces, the customs and traditions of their inhabitants.

 

• Enjoy its beaches

 

The Trinidadian beaches, despite being in the south and not being as extensive as others in Cuba, boast all the characteristics that make Caribbean beaches unique.

 

La Boca Beach

It is located about 8 km from Trinidad.

It can be accessed by taxis that leave the villa or rent a bicycle at 3 CUC per day. It is important to know that the bus that goes to Playa Ancón does not pass through La Boca.

It is named for the shape of the mouth of the rivers that, from an aerial view, recalls the shape of a mouth. Others say that its name is due to the multiple entries that the sea makes on its shore.

 

 

La Batea Beach

It is also a few kilometers from the city of Trinidad.

It is characterized by its crystal clear waters and fine sand, although the shore is rocky.

It has umbrellas to protect from the intense sun, as well as small establishments to drink or eat something.

It is a natural pool, excellent for swimming between corals and fish of different colors and species.

 

Ancón Beach

It is one of the best beaches in the south of Cuba, where the traveler thinks he feels closer than ever to the ocean.

Located in the Peninsula of Ancón, 12 km from Trinidad.

It can be accessed through taxis that leave the town for 8 CUC or buses that leave the city at different times.

They only cost 2 CUC and guarantee the return.

You also have the option of going on a rented bike or staying at the Hotel Ancón, the closest to that beach.

If you are a lover of marine sports, the Ancón Hotel is one of the main dive centers in Cuba.

The fame is due to archaeological remains found in this area, as well as the great variety of coral reefs.

In addition to remains of galleons and boats from the colonial era, when corsairs and pirates tried to attack the town.

 

 

 

Do not hesitate to visit Trinidad, remember:

`’It is a small city but with many amazing places”