09 May Trinidad – A Must-Visit In Cuba
Trinidad in Cuba is one of those places you wouldn’t believe existed. It is so different and unique and it really feels like you are in the 1850s. With horse transportations and bakers selling their bread from street to street and of course the iconic and colourful avenues.
La Botija
Most of us have heard that Havana is a colourful and an interesting city. Don’t get me wrong. I loved Havana too. However, I am so glad I made it to Trinidad. Before reading about it I thought it was only one place in the world called Trinidad, like Trinidad and Tobago. But in this blog post, I am going to convince you why you should visit the city Trinidad in Cuba!
The picture above is probably the most Instagrammed place in Trinidad. As matter of fact, Trinidad is incredibly picturesque and I think you can make Instagram photos for a year, only by walking around that city.
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Men smoking a cigar in Trinidad de Cuba. You will see street performers like this just sitting there and they might randomly sing Cuban songs. You can take photos of them, but it is nice to give them a little tip for it.
I recommend walking around Trinidad early morning at sunrise and at sunset! The colours are amazing!
A man riding a horse, in a colourful street in Trinidad, Cuba. Trinidad really gets you back in time!
Colourful street with a classic car in Trinidad, Cuba
Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima, Trinidad, Cuba
Sunset over Convento San Francisco de Asis, Cuba
View of colourful houses from top of Convento San Francisco de Asis, Cuba
Where to go
In the Lonely Planet Cuba (Travel Guide) you will find a recommended photogenic walk recommended by Lonely Planet. We took this walk early in the morning as well as during sunset. The light and colours are amazing and it is so much life in the streets. If you go early you will see people getting their milk from the bodegas and selling fresh bread etc.
First of all, spend a good amount of time walking around all over Trinidad, really let the atmosphere sink in. Walk around right before sunset and your photos will look amazing. You can also watch the sunset from the top of Convento San Francisco de Asis with a view over the town and you will even see the sea.
Playa Ancon
Rent a bike and visit one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba, playa Ancon! Here you have sellers even serving you drinks while soaking up some sun.
When I went to Cuba, I was deciding between visiting Trinidad or Varadero. I am so glad I skipped Varadero because this beach is just as nice and fewer people! And you get to see the real colourful Cuba.
La Boca
Instead of going to the touristy El Nicho, we decided to go off the beaten path and see the real Cuba just outside of Trinidad, where there are basically no tourists or sellers trying to book you on a taxi.
If you have enough time I recommend biking to the little town outside Trinidad called La Boca. It is not a long bike ride but it can be really hot, so if you struggle with the heat, it is better taking a taxi.
Where to eat
If you are staying at a Casa Particular you will most likely have an option for breakfast, however. They will probably not get up at 6 am to make breakfast for you. If you want to have an early breakfast I recommend the buffet at Iberostar Grand Hotel. It is $10 but it will last you until the afternoon.
For lunch or dinner, I recommend Guitarra Mia. It is such a charming place and the food is delicious. They might also give you a cigar for free at the end too!
Guitarra Mia, Trinidad, Cuba. This is my favourite restaurant in Trinidad.
Another popular option is La Botija. It is very crowded at night, so get there early. On the side of La Botija, you will see the iconic window with the Cuban flag hanging. Good options for Instagram photos there!
Waitresses having a break outside of La Botija, Trinidad, Cuba
Cafe Don Pepe, Best coffee place in Trinidad!
Where to dance
Casa De La Musica, Trinidad, Cuba. The place to be late in the evening. Here you can dance salsa until late night and meet people from around the world. When I was there the power went off all over Trinidad for around 30 minutes, but people kept sitting there and drinking. It happens in Cuba, no biggie.
Other places to dance are Disco Ayala and Casa de la Trova.
Where to stay
We stayed at a casa Particular which was within a walking distance from Plaza Mayor. Casa Yady and Dailin is in a beautiful building with a rooftop, own fridge, bathroom, tv and options for all meals. They are super nice and you can contact them directly on hostalyadiradailin@gmail.com or (53)52448267. They gave us tips on what to do in Trinidad and bookeda taxi back to Havana and a new Casa Particular in Havana for our last two days in Cuba.
If you rather prefer staying at a hotel, Iberostar Grand Hotel is the biggest one in Trinidad and Hotel la Ronda is also a good option. Hotels should be booked early, especially during peak season.
Be prepared, get the Lonely Planet Cuba (Travel Guide)
I don’t know what we would have done without the Lonely Planet Cuba book! It seriously was a life-saver. It answers all your questions about everything to prepare for your trip to Cuba. It tells you what to expect, what to see, eat, and do in the places you want to go and with a little description about each place.
Know you won’t have internet access everywhere in Cuba. Only at some specific places like parks etc and it is expensive and shit. You can’t just use google map or search for something on TripAdvisor. This book has done all the research for you. It also has contact details to recommended Casa Particulares! So make sure you get this book and buy it a few months before, so you can read through it and prepare yourself for the trip. This book will save you a lot of time and stress while you are in Cuba as well. You can get the book here: Lonely Planet Cuba (Travel Guide)
Trinidad is very unique, it is a place that has not changed much since the 1850s. You still see bakers selling their bread from street to street early in the morning, horse transportation and charming streets and colourful houses. If there is one more place you should visit besides from Havana, I strongly recommend Trinidad.
Next step: How to prepare for a trip to Cuba!
Must Haves When Travelling to Cuba
Lisa
Posted at 08:50h, 09 MayMy grandmother is from Cuba and it has always been a dream of mine to go there. Love the inspiration 🙂
thevikingabroad
Posted at 09:07h, 09 Maythat is awesome 😀 You should go there and Trinidad is so unique 😀
Melissa
Posted at 09:25h, 09 MayI love Cuba, but have never been to Trinidad. I just might have to put it on the list! Amazing photos, btw. Definitely captures the beauty of the city!
thevikingabroad
Posted at 09:25h, 09 MayThat is great 😀 Thank you so much 🙂
Candy
Posted at 22:45h, 09 MayO wow! I just got back from Havana Cuba and wish I would have gone to Trinidad. I was only there for the weekend, so I was limited on time, but this post is really making me want to go back right now. I believe it when you say that you could get IG photos that would last for a year 🙂
thevikingabroad
Posted at 10:39h, 10 MayAt least you saw Havana :), I have heard many only seeing Varadero 😀 I want to go back too, it is so much to see in Cuba. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting 😀
Sandy N Vyjay
Posted at 01:54h, 10 MayWow Trinidad is so beautiful. We have never been to Trinidad. But I must say you have captured it very well. It is unique and definitely a must visit place.
thevikingabroad
Posted at 10:38h, 10 MayIt is so unique. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting 😀
LaiAriel R. Samangka (Thelittlelai: Beyond limits)
Posted at 05:37h, 10 MayThe simplicity of Trinidad makes it more beautiful and I would like to amble around,. I like those colorful houses in the villages and the people as well. The beach was seemed so serene and traipsing my feet on a white sand is sound cool. I haven’t been here and you have brought me here by just reading your blog post. I like how you have provided all the necessary information as this will surely be a big help for those that are planning to visit Trinidad. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
thevikingabroad
Posted at 10:37h, 10 MayIt is so beautiful yeah 😀 Thank you for stopping by and commenting 😀
Susan
Posted at 11:04h, 10 MayYou’ve sold me on Trinidad and Cuba, it looks so colourful! Are the vintage cars still driven by people? The salsa dancing must have been fun, did you have a go?
thevikingabroad
Posted at 11:26h, 10 MayYes it is driven by people, yes I danced. It was so fun 😀
Cori
Posted at 12:47h, 10 MayIt seems like my Instagram is full of people in Havana, I forget that Cuba has other cities! Trinidad looks gorgeous — and fascinating. It’s one thing to read about history and how politics changes the world, it’s another to walk the streets and talk to the people who’ve felt its impact.
thevikingabroad
Posted at 13:13h, 10 Mayexactly 😀 Hope you get to visit Trinidad 😀
Stella the Travelerette
Posted at 17:47h, 10 MayThe more I read about Cuba, the more I want to go there. And everyone raves about Trinidad. I love that cute little guitar on your meal at the restaurant. And I also like that you list where to dance!
thevikingabroad
Posted at 17:50h, 10 Mayah you would love it there 😀 Hope you get to visit 🙂
Laura Nalin
Posted at 18:01h, 10 MayOh my goodness this town looks so quaint! How cute is that little guitar, though? I love the vibrant buildings and those classic cars – and how very Cuban of that one restaurant to give away cigars post-meal! I haven’t been to Cuba yet, but I hope to someday, and I’ll definitely top in Trinidad when I do!
thevikingabroad
Posted at 18:24h, 10 Mayyeah it is so unique. Hope you get to visit 😀
Tara
Posted at 19:07h, 10 MayThank you for sharing about Trinidad. It’s nice to see a post about other areas of Cuba. I’m wishing a thousand wishes that I get to Cuba before it is overrun by tourists,but from what I’ve been reading it may be too late already. I love your photos, and those cobbled streets are just lovely. My favorite photo is of the man on the horse riding through the street. Really awesome!!
thevikingabroad
Posted at 19:33h, 10 MayI think that depends when you go. If you go there during low season it shouldn’t be that many tourists 😀 Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting 😀
Tania Mukherjee
Posted at 01:15h, 11 MayBefore coming across your post I never knew there is a city named Trinidad in the World! I was initially thinking of Trinidad and Tobago and thought it was a part of Cuba and this whole time I never knew it! 😀 All the pictures are simply put : FANTASTIC! You just took me on this virtual tour of the bygone era. Those horses, vintage cars, houses, men, cobbled stoned streets… it’s like I am watching snapshots from a historic movie! <3
thevikingabroad
Posted at 07:54h, 11 MayHehe yeah I thought the same as well a year ago. It is very unique. Hope you get to visit 🙂 thank you so much for stopping by and commenting 🙂
Agness of Fit Travelling
Posted at 12:25h, 01 JuneTrinidad is so colorful and breathtaking! Added to my bucket list, Vibeke!
thevikingabroad
Posted at 10:36h, 02 JuneThat is awesome 😀 Hope you get to visit 😀
Reshma
Posted at 07:14h, 02 JuneWow! The pictures look so vibrant and rustic! Never knew that Trinidad was so colorful! Lovely.
thevikingabroad
Posted at 10:36h, 02 JuneTrinidad in Cuba is absolutely beautiful 😀 Hope you get to visit