In a nutshell
- Trinidad is one of the most popular destinations in Cuba. The colonial city with its colorful houses is absolutely worth seeing — but come prepared: it’s also very touristy.
- Around Trinidad you’ll find some of Cuba’s best highlights — including the stunning Playa Ancón beach and Topes de Collantes National Park.
- In this article we share our personal tips for visiting Trinidad, Cuba — the must-sees, honest advice on what to skip, and everything you need to plan your trip.
How Much Time to Plan for Trinidad?
We recommend staying 3 days in Trinidad. There’s a lot to see in the area, so give yourself plenty of time.
On the first day, explore the center of Trinidad, on the second day head to the beach, and on the third day visit a national park. Of course, you can mix up the schedule however you like.
Attractions in Trinidad
Trinidad is small and you can easily explore the city in just a few hours. The main things to do in Trinidad, Cuba are all just a few minutes’ walk from each other.
The Most Important Highlights in Trinidad
- Plaza Mayor: The main square with a beautiful church and lots of restaurants. It’s a great first stop for sightseeing.
- Palacio Cantero: A beautiful palace housing Trinidad’s historical museum — we didn’t go inside ourselves.
- Parque Céspedes: A large square with a church. It’s a bit outside the center and noticeably less touristy.
- Museo Romántico: A museum about the history and culture of Trinidad, said to be really fascinating. Since we’re not big museum people, we skipped it.
- Convento San Francisco de Asis: This is the bell tower you can spot from far away — you can also climb up to the top.
- Museum of the Fight Against the Counterrevolutionaries: Right next to the bell tower. If the topic interests you, it’s worth a visit.
Our insider tip for visiting Trinidad, Cuba: walk up to the Cerro de la Vigía viewpoint. It’s about 30 minutes from the center, and the panorama from the top is fantastic. We were the only tourists there when we visited.
What to Do in Trinidad in the Evening?
An evening at the Casa de la Música is basically non-negotiable when you’re in Trinidad. It’s an outdoor stage at the Plaza Mayor with tables and bars. Live music plays every evening and people dance salsa. Admission and drinks are affordable and paid in pesos.
If you’re still in the mood afterward, head over to Disco Ayala — a nightclub inside a cave that looks seriously cool on the inside. The crowd tends to skew younger, though.
Our Experiences in Trinidad
Even though Trinidad is truly beautiful from an architectural standpoint, we didn’t enjoy the sightseeing all that much. What struck us most was how impoverished the local population is — it genuinely shocked us.
On top of that, we were approached at every corner by taxi drivers, vendors, or beggars, some of whom were very pushy. Because of this, we couldn’t really stroll through the streets comfortably at any point. Be prepared for that when you travel to Trinidad.
That said, you don’t need to worry much about your safety here — Cuba is a safe travel destination.
Read my trip report about Cuba:
The Most Beautiful Beach in Trinidad: Playa Ancón
Make sure to set aside a day for the beach — specifically Playa Ancón. For us, it ranks among the most beautiful beaches in Cuba.
Playa Ancón has solid tourist infrastructure with restaurants, umbrellas, and lounge chairs — all kept very simple, though.
If that’s not your thing, you can always find a shady spot under a palm tree and spread out your towel in peace.
How to Get from Trinidad to Playa Ancón
Playa Ancón is about 12 kilometers from Trinidad. Since taxis are offered to you every five minutes in the center anyway, you won’t have any trouble finding a ride.
We’d actually recommend renting a bike, though. That way you can explore different sections of the beach and stay flexible all day. It’s also cheaper than a taxi.
Day Trip to Topes de Collantes National Park
From Trinidad, you absolutely should take a day trip to a national park. The surrounding area is home to stunning mountain landscapes and impressive waterfalls — a great alternative to Viñales.
The most popular destination is Topes de Collantes National Park, where you can hike to various waterfalls. We hiked to the Vegas Grande waterfall and loved it — we even went swimming there.
Our hosts in Trinidad recommended the Salto del Caburni as an alternative worth considering.
How to Get to Topes de Collantes
We booked a guided tour in Trinidad through Cubatur. It included transportation, a guide, the hike to the waterfall, and lunch with a view. We were really happy with the whole excursion.
If you’d prefer more flexibility, you can also take a taxi — though in the end it’s almost as expensive as a guided tour.
Alternatives to Topes de Collantes
There are more national parks and waterfalls in the area around Trinidad. Parque Guanayara, with the Salto El Rocio waterfall, is also very popular.
Many tourists also visit the El Nicho waterfall, but our hosts told us it’s overrated and that the other excursions are better.
Where to Stay in Trinidad?
For Trinidad, we strongly recommend staying in privately run B&Bs (Casas Particulares). On Airbnb, you’ll find a huge selection. Many also offer internet access.
You’ll be staying in the homes of Cuban locals, and the service is usually much better than in hotels. The hosts often share great tips that’ll help you avoid the typical tourist traps.
There are few good hotels in Trinidad. If you’d still prefer a hotel, we recommend the Iberostar Grand Hotel Trinidad.
Tips for Dining Out in Trinidad
The center of Trinidad is probably the most touristy area of any city in Cuba. As a result, there are a huge number of state-run restaurants — you’ll notice because prices are listed in dollars or euros.
Also read our tips on paying in Cuba
We never ate at any of these restaurants, because our host at our B&B cooked so well that we almost always ate there. So we can’t give you specific restaurant recommendations, unfortunately.
Local restaurants, which you’ll find mainly outside the center, are cheaper than the state-run ones — though the menu tends to be pretty limited.
We did eat once at Restaurant Sapori Italiani and it was a real find. The owner — an actual Italian — has somehow managed to bring authentic Italian cuisine all the way to Cuba. And we say that as people who lived in Italy for a year.
Getting to Trinidad
You can reach Trinidad by rental car, by Viazul bus, or by private transfer.
A rental car gives you the most flexibility on a Cuba road trip. Keep in mind that the roads have plenty of potholes and aren’t always paved. From Havana, you’re looking at about five hours to reach Trinidad.
Book a rental car for Cuba on TUI Cars
Getting There by Public Bus
From cities like Havana, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, or Varadero, you can easily reach Trinidad by Viazul bus.
Just keep in mind there’s usually only one connection per day — no matter where you’re departing from. That means you’re tied to that one departure time.
Getting There by Private Transfer or Taxi
If you don’t want to take a bus and don’t feel like renting a car, you can book a private transfer or taxi.
The easiest way is to ask at your accommodation in Havana (or wherever you’re staying). You’ll usually get a contact for someone who offers private transfers to Trinidad.
Also read our Cuba travel tips for more on getting around the island
