Trinity It is one of the most beautiful colonial cities, not only in Cuba, but throughout Latin America. Many say that there is an air to Antigua (Guatemala), we cannot comment, but we are clear that it is worth coming here: Trinidad seemed like a lovely place, maybe too touristy, but of course, it will be for something!
A few days before arriving, wandering around Centro Habana, we came across a very peculiar man: Luis, a big man in his 60s, well majete and hustler. After talking for a while he told us that he was a taxi driver and made a very good offer: for 110 CUC he would take us to Trinidad. Considering that the price of the bus is 25 CUC per head and that by taxi we could stop to see the city of Cienfuegos ... we do not think so.
What a surprise, when the day of the trip Luis came to pick us up with a friend: Yandi ... - It will be your driver! -
Ah okay. So Luis had only rigged the taxi. Well, nothing happens. Yandi looks like good people, he speaks very little (and when he talks he does it so fast that it is hard to understand him) and he has a red 93 Peugeot. This is when we discover that cars in Cuba are a box of surprises ...
The car has air conditioning, but it doesn't work, so Yandy asks us if we want to lower the windows. Of course, better than dying of heat! We say and surprise! Pliers are used from under the seat that he uses as a handle to, little by little, leave the window down completely. And many Cuban cars are missing half of the parts because they have nowhere to get spare parts. All good until halfway it started to rain very hard and, of course, we had to stop to climb the windows and not soak up.
It would not be the first time we would ride in Yandy's car ... with him we lived very beautiful aventurillas, like when we traveled the stretch of Trinidad to Santa Clara in 5 hours, stopping in the shade on each slope and on each farm to give water to the engine . That said: Cuba's cars can give a lot of problems, but what they take from us is traveling! Nor would it be the last time we would see Mr. Luis, but this is another story ...
We arrived and Trinidad received us with sunshine and with the smile of Mrs. Gladis, a woman's love who manages a very cool little house a short walk from the city center (in useful info we give you all the data). After having checked in, we realize a surprising fact: my father's arm is redder than the face of a guiri on August 15 in Benidorm…. And it was that he spent the entire trip from Havana with his arm out of the car J Ai, daddy, you have to love yourself.
Trinity it doesn't have a lot of things to see and do and this makes it a perfect stop for a couple of days. Here, it is best to wander around and be guided by instinct. The historic helmet It is a pass: cobbled streets lead to the top of the town, with its small squares, churches and colonial houses painted a thousand colors. There are craft shops, restaurants, bars and a few old men who look from the other side of the windows.
Tip: this free tour of the center of Trinidad, looks great. When we went there was not, but considering that it is free, do not hesitate to do it! (Even if you leave a tip, go!)
Of course, there are a few essentials or things to do in Trinidad yes or yes:
Visit the Plaza Mayor, take a mojito to a CUC sitting on the stairs of the Casa de la Música and enjoy the Cuban son, the afternoon air and the colors and charm of the city.
Upload toroof of the Municipal Historical Museum (3 CUC) to enjoy the best views of the city.
Spend half a day in theAncon Beach. We went by taxi (8 CUC total one-way price), although if you want to save you can go by tourist bus (4 CUC i / v per person) or by local bus (it costs super little, in plan 1 CUP, but be careful because they don't always leave climb tourists). The beach, at least when it was us, we were not impressed too much (Cuba leaves the bar very high in terms of beaches) ... but well, if you have time you can stop by here for a few hours (a dip we never say no hehe ). There are beach bars to buy food and drink and there are even boys who pass, every two for three, selling pizza, fruit and cocktails. The price of the sunbed is 2 CUC all day, although there are shady areas under trees and you can also put yourself in the sand without problem.
Ancon Beach, in Trinidad
Try a canchánchara in the La Canchánchara Tavern. This cocktail was invented here and consists of brandy, lemon and honey. If it doesn't motivate you too much, you know that the little garden is super nice (there is often live music) and they make a very rich pina colada!
Take a tour of the Valley of the Wits. We went by taxi, in Plaza Carrillo there are many taxi drivers offering their services. We were clear that we wanted to do a basic excursion, without horseback riding or anything like that. Finally we hired a taxi for 25 CUC that took us to travel the valley for 2-3 hours (an old LADA). Possibly you can get a lower price but we did not find something exaggerated and being 4 compensated us enough.
This valley, a World Heritage Site, has beautiful, very green landscapes (it was one of the most important sugar areas of the time) and it is best to visit the Manaca-Iznaga farm (a beautiful colonial mansion) that reminded us a bit of Oak Alley, and climb to its tower, from which there are incredible views ... although if you suffer a lot of vertigo you may get something of canguele.
The route was completed with the visit to the ruins of San Isidro de los Destiladeros, and to a restaurant / bar with a lookout Very cool over the valley.
Views from the Manaca-Iznaga Hacienda tower
Ruins of San Isidro de los Destiladeros
Have a Cristal beer (or two) in The Beer House: It is a garden bar that is located in the ruins of the Brunet Theater. We personally found it very beautiful. It is better to go at night, there is more atmosphere. Beer and cocktails cost about 2 CUC.
Eat in San José restaurant: it is probably the place where we ate best in Cuba ... ains, that paella (yes, paella XD). Really, the food is very good, the place very nice and the staff nice and professional. It is not the cheapest option in Trinidad (far from it) but if you can, eat / dinner here at least once. Calculate about 10 CUC per person.
And another restaurant that we did not try but that has very good reviews (and dishes with a pint) is the Cubita Santander Restaurant, with good atmosphere, live music sometimes and good treatment.
These are the essential things to see and do in Trinidad, and you? you have been?
Useful information
How to get to Trinidad from Havana?
We being 4 hire a cab That cost us 110 CUC with a stop to visit Cienfuegos, that if, when negotiating makes it clear that it is a modern car (or at least not a tartana, like ours) and that it has air conditioning! You can negotiate on the same street with taxi drivers or there are even some local businesses where they offer these services. We search and ask in several places and in the end Luis gave us the best price. Here we leave your phone to call you and ask for their rates: +53 78709895 / +53 53342333
But if you travel alone or as a couple, it will be more profitable to go in bus. You know, the only company that offers trips to tourists (at least for now) is Viazul. The price from Havana to Trinidad is USD 25 per person, keep in mind that to get to the bus station in Havana there are 10 CUC for the taxi. In Trinidad stops in the center of town. The bus takes about 6 hours.
Where to sleep in Trinidad?
As we anticipate you, we stayed in a private house (booked through Airbnb) very beautiful. We rent two rooms, both very spacious, renovated and very comfortable. And in the patio ... there was a mini pool that came to us to cool off. They were also making two other rooms that look very good. Mrs. Gladys is a woman's love (and she's super horny: on the last day, when we were driving, she yelled at my father: "Be careful not to burn your arm" XD).
- The pisito is this
- And here you have a € 25 discount on Airbnb
Rent a motorcycle in Trinidad
You have the possibility of renting a scooter to make your own routine through the Valle de los Ingenios. The agency that rents them is Habanatour and is located on General Lino Pérez street (San Proscopio). The price is 25 CUC for one day, 20 CUC per day if rented 3-5 days and 18 CUC if rented more than 5 days. There are also bicycles.
Where to get money in Trinidad?
There is a CADECA (the official exchange house of Cuba) in Calle Jesús María.
Where to buy internet cards in Trinidad?
There is an ETECSA office in Plaza Carrillo. Being such a tourist town is always always full ... so try to go first or last minute. You can enjoy the Wi-Fi in the Carrillo Square itself and in the Plaza Mayor.
Prepare your trip
To start preparing the trip to Cuba read our article “45 tips for traveling to Cuba (and not shit)”
Our recommendations
Flights Cheap to Cuba: //bit.ly/2is3LkC
accommodation in Trinidad: //booki.ng/2gA41dk
Stay withAirbnb and get€ 25 discount: //www.mochileandoporelmundo.com/ir/airbnb
Travel insurance IATI with a5% discount: //bit.ly/29OSvKt
