Trinidad Highlights
Located close to the Caribbean Sea on the south coast of Cuba, approximately 6 hour’s drive from Havana, lies the fascinating small city of Trinidad. Similar in size to a typical UK market town and sitting proudly between the coastline and the impressive Escambray Mountains, lies Cuba’s most beautiful and cultured city.
Trinidad was founded in 1514 by the Spanish conquistador Diego Velasquez, and became a major centre for trading sugar and slaves for almost 200 years. The wealth generated by the landowners during this region's dark past, is reflected in the treasures found in Trinidad’s museums, as well as the ornate colonial architecture found in the centre.
Declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, Trinidad is regularly described as a living museum. Cobbled streets are lined with pastel-coloured houses, while the beautiful plazas are overlooked by striking 18th and 19th Century buildings. The centre is home to a number of lovely squares, churches, museums and mansions and can easily be explored on foot. There is also a growing market scene with a range of local artworks and handicrafts on sale, and Trinidad is particularly known for its lace and pottery.
In the evening, Trinidad offers a vibrant and growing selection of lively venues to sample Cuban food, music and dancing. The Canchanchara bar is famous for both live music and its namesake cocktail which is a blend of sugar cane juice, rum, honey and lime. The Casa de la Trova and Casa de la Musica are also both really lively with locals and visitors alike, and feature live music, dancing and typical Cuban fare. There are also a growing number of excellent and varied private restaurants offering everything from fine gourmet dining, to tapas and light bites with a funky vibe.
Many guests visiting the Trinidad area also visit the Escambray mountains that lie to the north of Trinidad, an inspiring experience with beautiful tropical forests home to a variety of beautiful plants, waterfalls, bathing pools, spectacular scenery and local home cooked food in local farmer’s houses. It is even possible to stay overnight in the mountains in simple cabana style accommodation or farm style Casas Particulares.
Also, very close to Trinidad lie sugar-white Caribbean beaches and the warm clear ocean, perfect to spend some relaxing time away from the heat of the city. Many enjoy sunrise or sunset on the beaches, and they are easy to reach by taxi. There are also daily catamaran cruises to peaceful local uninhabited islands, and include the opportunity to snorkel over Caribbean reefs.
Our Most Popular Trinidad Experiences
We can organise before you travel to Cuba, a wide range of fantastic experiences that can be completely tailored for you.Take advantage of our friendly and knowledgeable pre-booking service and save time making arrangements during your holiday.
We can also pre-book Cuba's amazing private hidden away restaurants (paladars), which are highly recommended, extremely popular and get booked up well in advance. Talk to our team about adding experiences and restaurants to your booking.
Sunset Panoramic Old American Car Tour
As the heat of the day draws to an end you will be collected by your driver and guide in one of Cuba’s famous old American cars and be whisked away for a couple of hours to enjoy a panoramic drive with great photo stops for those all-important social media posts.
El Nicho Waterfalls in the Escambray Mountains
Head through the beautiful scenery in Cuba into the Escambray mountains to visit the impressive El Nicho waterfalls, with the journey itself being a fascinating insight into rural life in Cuba as the route passes traditional Cuban small towns and villages.
Sunrise Countryside Horse Ride
Many say the most peaceful and beautiful time of day in Cuba is the sunrise, when the air is cooler and another beautiful Caribbean day is emerging from the dark. Surrounding Trinidad and within very easy reach from the centre lies beautiful undulating tropical countryside.
Private Walking Tour of Trinidad
One of our most popular experiences in Trinidad, this tour can be tailor-made to your interests and requirements and can take place from sunrise through to sunset, to allow you to maximize time in this fascinating and unique UNESCO World Heritage city.
A Day in the Escambray Mountains
This tour offers an exhilarating and enjoyable experience in the Escambray Mountains north of Trinidad where the air is cool and the scenery magnificent. Take a cooling swim in a natural river/waterfall pool, one of many highlights on the tour.
Private Salsa Lesson
You cannot escape from salsa dancing in Cuba, music and dance is everywhere, so why not learn some salsa and be part of the island’s passion for dance during your holiday.
Catamaran Cruise on the Caribbean Sea
Enjoy a leisurely day’s cruise on the Caribbean Sea with a selection of local drinks onboard included and head out from Playa Ancon to sea with great views back onshore to the coastline and Escambray mountains.
A Horse Ride to Parque Cubano
Leaving after breakfast this longer horse-riding trek heads away from Trinidad to the Parque Cubano which is a small and picturesque National Park area in the foothills of the Escambray mountain and an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Sugar Mill Valley Tour
A very historical and thought-provoking half-day tour which visits the UNESCO World Heritage site known as Sugar Mill Valley. Highly educational, the tour brings Cuba’s and indeed the Caribbean’s links to the slave trade to the forefront of visitor’s minds.
Cocktail Making Class
Try out your mixologist skills on your friends after returning from holiday, and where better to learn than in the heart of Trinidad! Head down to our chosen authentic bar in the centre of Trinidad where the local bar staff will be waiting to show you step by step how to make 2 or 3 of Cuba’s famous rum cocktails!
Cuban Cuisine Cooking Lesson
Cuban cuisine is a melting pot of Spanish and Creole influences with a touch of local Cuban creativity and embarking on a fun filled, relaxed and often humorous cooking lesson with local restaurant chefs has proven to be a highlight of many guests’ visit to Trinidad.