Trinidad, Cuba: travel guide
Cobbled colonial town of pastel houses and music-filled plazas
UNESCO World Heritage colonial town in Sancti Spíritus, cobbled streets and pastel mansions, gateway to the Valle de los Ingenios and Playa Ancón.
About Trinidad
Trinidad is among the best-preserved colonial towns in the Caribbean, a place of cobbled streets, pastel-painted houses and tiled roofs that feels frozen in an earlier century. Its old centre is small enough to cover on foot, and it is recognised as a World Heritage site.
Start at the main square, with its Iglesia Parroquial, and explore small museums such as the Palacio Cantero, whose tower gives a view over the rooftops. The Casa de la Trova hosts live music in the evenings. Outside town, the Valle de los Ingenios recalls the sugar-plantation past, and Playa Ancon offers a stretch of beach.
Trinidad suits history lovers, photographers and music fans. The dry winter season is the most comfortable, as summers are hot and humid.
- Country
- Cuba
- Currency
- CUP
- Time zone
- America/Havana
Last updated
Top places to visit in Trinidad
Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos
history · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Housed in the former San Francisco convent; its yellow bell-tower is Trinidad's emblem.
Museo Histórico Municipal (Palacio Cantero)
history · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Palacio Cantero museum; climb its tower for the classic view over Trinidad's red roofs.
Plaza Mayor
plaza · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The postcard heart of colonial Trinidad, ringed by ochre and pastel palaces and the parish church.
Museo Romántico (Palacio Brunet)
history · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A sugar-baron's mansion furnished with period Romantic-era pieces, on Plaza Mayor.
Playa Ancón
beach · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The best beach on Cuba's south coast, 12 km from Trinidad; white sand and reef snorkelling.
Torre Manaca-Iznaga
tower · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A 45 m sugar-plantation watchtower in the UNESCO Valle de los Ingenios, once used to oversee enslaved workers.
Casa de la Trova
music-venue · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Trinidad's legendary traditional-music courtyard with nightly son and bolero.
Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad
church · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The neoclassical parish church (1892) overlooking Plaza Mayor.
Maqueta de la Ciudad de Trinidad
exhibit · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A detailed scale model of the historic town with an orientation exhibit.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de la Popa
church · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Hilltop church ruins above the town, a scenic viewpoint.
Plazuela del Jigüe
plaza · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The little square where Trinidad was founded in 1514.
Things to do
- Valle de los Ingenios Horseback Ride Adventure · 4 h · from USD 30 per person
- Topes de Collantes Waterfall Hike Hiking · 6 h · from USD 40 per person
- Live Son & Salsa Night Show · 2 h · from USD 10 per person
- Trinidad Colonial Walking Tour Tour · 2 h · from USD 15 per person
- Playa Ancón Snorkel Trip Beach · 5 h · from USD 35 per person
Day trips and tours
- Trinidad, Valle & Ancón Day 8 h · from USD 55
Where to stay in Trinidad
- Centro Histórico about CUP 40 per night
Sleep inside the colonial UNESCO town in a casa particular steps from Plaza Mayor and the live-music venues.
Hotels
- Iberostar Grand Trinidad 5-star
- Hotel La Ronda 3-star
- Casa Particular Colonial (Centro Histórico) 2-star
Where to eat
- Restaurante Plaza Mayor Cuban · about USD 15 per person
- Vista Gourmet International, Cuban · about USD 18 per person
- Sol y Son Cuban, International · about USD 16 per person
- Paladar Sabor a Mí Cuban, International · about USD 18 per person
- Taberna La Botija Cuban, Pizza · about USD 12 per person
- Restaurante Mesón del Regidor Cuban · about USD 15 per person
- Guitarra Mía Cuban · about USD 15 per person
Getting to Trinidad
Nearest airport: Cienfuegos (CFG), about 59 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Trinidad
- Víazul coach By road from Havana · common · unconfirmed
Víazul long-distance coaches connect Trinidad with Havana and other provincial capitals; buy tickets ahead at the station or online. Source: roughguides.com
- Conectando Cuba (Transtur) hotel-to-hotel bus By road from Havana · common · unconfirmed
Serves Trinidad, Cienfuegos and Havana, picking up and dropping off at hotels. Source: roughguides.com
- Shared taxi (colectivo) By road from Cienfuegos · possible · unconfirmed
Colectivos wait at Víazul stations for long-distance rides. Source: roughguides.com
Getting around
- Shared Taxi
Shared colectivo minivans link Trinidad with other Cuban cities, including Havana, and drivers wait near the central bus station.
- Taxi
Taxis can be taken from Trinidad to Playa Ancón, the beach on the nearby Ancón Peninsula.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Casa/restaurant "closed" ruse
Trinidad centre
A tout tells you your booked casa or a famous restaurant is closed/full and diverts you to their friend's place.
How to avoid it: Confirm directly with your casa host; ignore street redirection.
Best time to visit Trinidad
- Jan 28°C
- Feb 29°C
- Mar 31°C
- Apr 32°C
- May 32°C
- Jun 32°C
- Jul 33°C
- Aug 32°C
- Sep 32°C
- Oct 30°C
- Nov 29°C
- Dec 29°C
More in Cuba
Frequently asked questions about Trinidad
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Trinidad?
- The highest-rated places in our Trinidad guide are Casa de la Trova, Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad, Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos, Museo Histórico Municipal (Palacio Cantero), Maqueta de la Ciudad de Trinidad.
- Where should I stay in Trinidad?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Trinidad: Centro Histórico.
- How do I get around Trinidad?
- Ways to get around Trinidad covered in our guide: Shared taxi, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Trinidad?
- Scams reported to us for Trinidad include Casa/restaurant "closed" ruse. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Trinidad?
- Average daytime highs in Trinidad run from 28°C in Jan to 33°C in Jul.