Cuba Travel: Trinidad

Trinidad is a picturesque 500-year-old town and is an essential part of any Cuba trip. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, Cuba’s oldest and most enchanting city feels like an outdoor museum. The plazas, palaces, beautifully restored houses and colonial courtyards are placed in a mesmerizing location. Just a few hours in Trinidad’s elegant and colorful center will make you feel as if you’ve gone back into to colonial Cuba. The verdant mountains of Sierra del Escambray and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean surround this colorful town creating an unrivalled vibe. As you make your way down the cobblestones streets you will be captivated by the scenes around you. Unlike some UNESCO sites, Trinidad does not have a Disneyland feel. Trinidad is truly a gem of Cuba travel and must-see for those even remotely interested in Cuba’s past. You will see old women in rocking chairs sitting on their porch, next to ration shops and agropecuarios (vegetable markets).

You can come away with more than just pretty pictures, as there are plenty of cultural and educational opportunities in Trinidad. Cross-cultural interaction is abundant in Trinidad, where locals and travelers interact in a relaxed and unguarded manner. After exploring the main square, Plaza Mayor, and browsing through craft markets, check out a few of the many museums. There are more museums per head in Trinidad than any other part of Cuba. Located at the top of Plaza Mayor is an austere church with Neo-Classical façade, known as Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad. Dating back from 1892, the most attractive element of the church is the Señor de la Vera Cruz (Lord of the True Cross), a wooden statute made in Spain during the 18th century. One of the most interesting sights in the area is the Valley of the Sugar Mills. This valley has about 70 historic sugar mills, which stand as a reminder of the booming sugar industry in Cuba’s history. Another fascinating historical location is Museo de Arquitectura Colonial. The Museum is housed in an 18th-century mansion which belonged to the Sánchez-Iznaga family. It covers the various types of architectural elements seen in Trinidad and will help you understand what you have seen while walking through the town. There is also a lovely collection of instruments, accessories, and building materials from the time.

To name all of the museums and activities available in Trinidad, Cuba would be far too tedious. My suggestion is to explore the historic city and pick which activities best suit your interests as there is bound to be many.


This guide to an Trindad vacation in Cuba was written by a Cuba travel expert at Cuba For Less available to help you custom design your exciting Cuba vacations.