QUICK GUIDE OF THINGS TO DO IN TRINIDAD, CUBA
Cuba’s Trinidad is a beautiful colonial town and the laneways containing its multi-coloured houses is where life takes place. Locals sit on their steps watching the world go by. Fold-out tables host high-stakes dominoes. Freshly re-conditioned motorcycle engines are lined up ready for sale.
Despite the number of tourists congregating around the more colourful streets, it’s easy to wander away from the main squares and take in a slice of real Trinidad. Here’s a quick guide of our favourite things to do in Trinidad, Cuba.
SEE
TOP SIGHTS IN TRINIDAD, CUBA
Strolling around the colourful streets and soaking up the vibe is what visiting this colonial gem is all about. Here are 3 of our favourite things to do in Trinidad, Cuba.
MUSEO DE HISTORIA MUNICIPAL
While the museum could do with a good dust, the views from the roof of Trinidad’s iconic bell tower are well worth it. Arrive close to closing time for late afternoon sun. / Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 Sat-Thur | Cost: 2 CUC | Location: 423 Calle Desengaño
BACKSTREETS
Spend some time escaping the tourist areas with a stroll along the much lived-in back streets. Be sure to check-out Calle Amargura up to Plaza de Las Cruces for a vignette of local life unfolding in Cuba’s Trinidad.
PLAZA DE SANTA ANA
Stroll by the church ruins in the Plaza de Santa Ana to see a ghost of Cuba’s Spanish past. The light bouncing off the crumbling walls is perfect in the late afternoon, which is also when the locals congregate around the last square in town free from tourists. / Location: Plaza de Santa Ana
SEE
TOP SIGHTS IN TRINIDAD, CUBA
Strolling around the colourful streets and soaking up the vibe is what visiting this colonial gem is all about. Here are 3 of our favourite things to do in Trinidad, Cuba.
MUSEO DE HISTORIA MUNICIPAL
While the museum could do with a good dust, the views from the roof of Trinidad’s iconic bell tower are well worth it. Arrive close to closing time for late afternoon sun. / Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 Sat-Thur | Cost: price | Location: 423 Calle Desengaño
BACKSTREETS
Spend some time escaping the tourist areas with a stroll along the much lived-in back streets. Be sure to check-out Calle Amargura up to Plaza de Las Cruces for a vignette of local life unfolding in Trinidad
PLAZA DE SANTA ANA
Stroll by the church ruins in the Plaza de Santa Ana to see a ghost of Cuba’s Spanish past. The light bouncing off the crumbling walls is perfect in the late afternoon, which is also when the locals congregate around the last square in town free from tourists. / Location: Plaza de Santa Ana
DRINK
COCKTAILS & COFFEE
Quirky drinking spaces are very on-trend in Trinidad at the moment. Here are a few options from cool to old-school that provided some of the best liquid things to do in Trinidad.
CAFÉ DON PEPE
Select from over 40 different coffee drinks – both with and without alcohol – in this cool courtyard space. Wake up with their simple breakfast of bread and honey, go to bed on their Kahula Dreams. / Hours: 8:00 – 23:00 Sun-Fri; 10:00 – 23:00 Sat | Location: 363 Calle Boca
CASA DE LA TROVA
Order a beer and pull up a seat under the bright blue façade, watching the activity unfold at the busy market on the square. Munch on the only thing they have on the menu, a ham and cheese sandwich. / Location: 29 Calle Cristo
CAFE FORTUNA
Mercifully too small for package tour groups, Café Fortuna is off the quirkiness scale with bathtubs to sit in, old style TV’s and loads of foreign currency pinned to every inch of wall and ceiling space. Pop in this pint-sized bar for a fun pre-dinner drink. / Location: Calle Rosario
DRINK
COCKTAILS & COFFEE
Quirky drinking spaces are very on-trend in Trinidad at the moment. Here are a few options from cool to old-school that provided some of the best liquid things to do in Trinidad.
CAFÉ DON PEPE
Select from over 40 different coffee drinks – both with and without alcohol – in this cool courtyard space. Wake up with their simple breakfast of bread and honey, go to bed on their Kahula Dreams. / Hours: 8:00 – 23:00 Sun-Fri; 10:00 – 23:00 Sat | Location: 363 Calle Boca
CASA DE LA TROVA
Order a beer and pull up a seat under the bright blue façade, watching the activity unfold at the busy market on the square. Munch on the only thing they have on the menu, a ham and cheese sandwich. / Location: 29 Calle Cristo
CAFE FORTUNA
Mercifully too small for package tour groups, Café Fortuna is off the quirkiness scale with bathtubs to sit in, old style TV’s and loads of foreign currency pinned to every inch of wall and ceiling space. Pop in this pint-sized bar for a fun pre-dinner drink. / Location: Calle Rosario
EAT
TRINIDAD FOOD
While the private restaurant scene in Cuba is new, Trinidad takes the cake with some of the best food in the country. Everyone knows it too – these places require booking ahead or queueing.
LA BOTIJA
Get here early to beat the queues and soak up the rustic vibe, excellent live music and good hearty Cuban food. For those who like their food delivered with dramatic flair, in a cool environment, this is one of the best things to do in Trinidad. / Bookings: online here | Location: 71B Calle Amargura
CASA GIROUD
By day, Casa Giroud is a relaxed pizza joint with a small selection of tapas dishes – ideal if you’re looking for a break from rice and beans. By night, it’s another queue to get into this very popular eatery. / Hours: 10:00 – 23:00 | Location: Calle Rosario
VISTA GOURMET
Enjoy views from their roof terrace and possibly some of the best food in Cuba. Try to position yourself away from the live band, which in very un-Cuban fashion, was awful. / Hours: 12:00 – midnight | Location: Callejón de Gallegos
EAT
TRINIDAD FOOD
While the private restaurant scene in Cuba is new, Trinidad takes the cake with some of the best food in the country. Everyone knows it too – these places require booking ahead or queueing.
LA BOTIJA
Get here early to beat the queues and soak up the rustic vibe, excellent live music and good hearty Cuban food. For those who like their food delivered with dramatic flair, in a cool environment, this is one of the best things to do in Trinidad. / Bookings: online here | Location: 71B Calle Amargura
CASA GIROUD
By day, Casa Giroud is a relaxed pizza joint with a small selection of tapas dishes. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a break from rice and beans. By night, it’s another queue to get into this very popular eatery. / Hours: 10:00 – 23:00 | Location: Calle Rosario
VISTA GOURMET
Enjoy views from their roof terrace and possibly some of the best food in Cuba. Try to position yourself away from the live band, which in very un-Cuban fashion, was awful. / Hours: 12:00 – midnight | Location: Callejón de Gallegos
WHERE NEXT?
Firstly, if you found this guide useful, follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with our travel plans.
If you are planning to travel around Cuba make sure you read all our travel tips for Cuba as well as our guide for getting around Cuba. Our detailed guide on all our favourite things to do in Trinidad is here.
Sitting in a bathtub? That’s hilarious, but I’d definitely try it! I really fancy a trip to Trinidad. Just the thought of the salsa in the streets, the colourful houses and that delicious food has me reaching for my passport. Thanks for sharing on #farawayfiles
You are welcome. I find sitting in a bathtub with some booze one of the finer things in life. Reach for that passport…
I love this! The layout, the photo’s, the set list! Everything. Great post. And now I’m salsa-ing around my office! #farawayflies
Thanks a lot. We have been playing around with a few different looks. Glad you like it. Keep up the salsa!
Café Fortuna sounds great fun, particularly that is quite small.
I love the idea of the motorcycle engines lined up next to guys playing board games, it just evokes Cuban street life #farawayfiles
It’s amazing how easy it is to get out of tourist zone and onto the back streets. Just two or three hundred meters away and you see a genuine slice of Cuban life.
I’ve wanted to visit Trinidad, Cuba for so long I think it’s got a vibrancy to it from friends that have visited that is authentic and real. The salsaing will be a firm favourite with my crew they do love a good dance #farawayfiles
I also have a fondness for authentic and real. Sadly my salsa dancing days are not only over, but never really began….
My husband and I have talked about traveling to Cuba for years and years, but it looks like we may have missed our window… Hope to get there someday, and If so, I’d very much like to take a dip in that waterfall. Salsa and music in the streets reminds me of New Orleans. A lovely post, thank you for sharing on #farawayfiles
Yes, unfortunately, you may have. But you never know – our world leaders seem to change their mind often. Hope you get there soon, you’ll love the street art in Cuba.
I didn’t make it as far as Trinidad when we visited Cuba, but I can imagine it’s much more enjoyable – and authentic when you get away from the crowds. One day I’d like to go back and visit some of the sights around this area … #FarawayFiles
It’s a good part of the country to visit. The town itself is very pretty and the surrounding natural parks and beaches are well worth visiting.