Trinidad, Cuba: essential guide to Cuba's most beautiful city

Trinidad is, without exaggeration, a time capsule. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 alongside the Valley of the Sugar Mills, this city in south-central Cuba preserves one of the most complete and best-kept colonial ensembles in all of Latin America.

Founded in 1514 by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, Trinidad was the third Spanish settlement established in Cuba. Its wealth, built on the 19th-century sugar industry, is reflected in every palace, every plaza, and every cobblestone street you walk today.

What to see in Trinidad

Plaza Mayor and surroundings

The heart of Trinidad is the Plaza Mayor, a garden square surrounded by the city’s most iconic buildings:

• Museo Romántico (Palacio Brunet): Cuba’s most impressive colonial furniture collection. Bohemian crystal, Sèvres porcelain, and mahogany furniture that tell the story of how the sugar aristocracy lived.
• Church of the Holy Trinity: The main parish church, rebuilt in the 19th century, with a surprisingly sober interior but remarkable acoustics.
• Museum of Colonial Architecture: Housed in the Casa de los Sánchez Iznaga, it showcases the city’s architectural evolution.

The Convent of San Francisco

The yellow bell tower of the Convent of San Francisco is Trinidad’s icon — you’ll see it on every postcard. Today it houses the Museum of the Fight Against Bandits. Climb the tower for the best panoramic view: red tile roofs, cobblestone streets, and the Escambray Mountains in the background.

Streets you can’t miss

• Calle Desengaño: The most photographed street, with intensely colored houses and original 18th-century cobblestones.
• Calle Boca: Where artisans sell their crafts in the doorways.
• Plazuela del Jigüe: Where tradition says the first mass of the settlement was held under a ceiba tree.

The Valley of the Sugar Mills

Just 12 km from Trinidad, the Valley of the Sugar Mills (Valle de San Luis) was the epicenter of Cuban sugar production in the 19th century. Over 50 sugar mills once operated here, worked by thousands of enslaved people.

The must-see site is the Iznaga Tower, a 44-meter watchtower built in 1816 by Alejo María Iznaga to oversee the enslaved workers. You can climb it for spectacular valley views. At the base, local women sell handmade tablecloths and embroidery.

You can visit by taxi, the tourist train from Trinidad (when running — confirm locally), or on horseback.

Beaches near Trinidad

Playa Ancón

12 km south, Playa Ancón is the best beach on Cuba’s southern coast. White sand, calm turquoise waters, and a relaxed atmosphere. There are three all-inclusive hotels (Ancón, Costa Sur, Trinidad del Mar), but you can also go for the day by taxi (5-8 USD) or bicycle.

Diving at Playa Ancón is excellent: black coral reefs at shallow depths and several shipwrecks. The dive center at Hotel Ancón organizes dives for all levels.

Playa La Boca

Closer (8 km) and more local, La Boca is where the locals go on weekends. There are casas particulares right on the water and a more authentic vibe than Ancón.

Topes de Collantes

20 km up into the mountains, the Topes de Collantes nature park in the Escambray Mountains is the perfect complement to the beaches. Hiking trails through giant ferns and waterfalls:

• Salto del Caburní: The most famous waterfall (62 meters). Medium-difficulty hike, about 2.5 hours round trip. You can swim in the natural pool.
• Vegas Grandes Trail: Less crowded, with natural swimming holes.
• Hacienda Codina: Easy walk with orchid gardens and a cave.

A mandatory guide is required (hire at the Gaviota office in Topes or agencies in Trinidad, ~10-15 USD per person).

Where to stay: casas particulares

Trinidad has one of the highest concentrations of casas particulares in Cuba. They’re the best accommodation option:

• Ideal location: Look for places in the historic center, between Plaza Mayor and Plazuela del Jigüe.
• Price: 25-40 USD per night for a double room with private bathroom and air conditioning.
• Dinner: Most offer home-cooked dinner (8-12 USD) that’s usually better than the tourist restaurants.
• Booking: In high season (December-March), book ahead via Cuba Junky or direct contact.

Nightlife: Casa de la Música

The Casa de la Música in Trinidad, on the steps next to the church, is one of Cuba’s most memorable experiences. Every night, son and salsa bands play outdoors while locals and visitors dance on the stone steps. Entry costs 1-3 USD and music starts around 10 PM.

Also worth checking out:

• Palenque de los Congos Reales: Live Afro-Cuban music.
• La Canchánchara: Bar serving the namesake drink (aguardiente, honey, and lime), created by independence fighters during the wars against Spain.

Practical tips

• Money: Bring cash in USD or EUR to exchange. ATMs in Trinidad are unreliable.
• Footwear: The streets are irregular cobblestones — wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
• Water: Don’t drink tap water. Buy bottled or bring a filter.
• Internet: There’s a wifi zone in Parque Céspedes (buy an ETECSA card).
• Mosquitoes: Especially at dusk, bring repellent.
• Bargaining: You can negotiate a little at artisan markets, but respectfully.

How to get there

From	Transport	Time	Approximate cost
Havana	Viazul bus	6 hours	~25 USD
Havana	Shared taxi	4-5 hours	30-50 USD/person
Cienfuegos	Bus/Taxi	1.5 hours	10-15 USD
Santa Clara	Viazul bus	3 hours	~15 USD
Varadero	Viazul bus	6 hours	~25 USD

Suggested itineraries

Trinidad in 1 day: Plaza Mayor → Museo Romántico → Convent of San Francisco (climb the tower) → lunch at Sol Ananda → Calle Desengaño → Plazuela del Jigüe → sunset at Casa de la Música.

Trinidad in 3 days: Day 1: Full historic center. Day 2: Valley of the Sugar Mills in the morning + Playa Ancón in the afternoon. Day 3: Hiking in Topes de Collantes (Salto del Caburní).

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Trinidad isn’t just an open-air museum — it’s a living city where son music plays on every corner, where neighbors chat in rocking chairs under the porticos, and where time seems to have stopped at just the right moment. If you could visit only one place outside Havana, make it Trinidad.

Have you visited Trinidad? Want to learn more about Cuba’s beaches or explore the Viñales Valley?