Trinidad, Cuba is like a city frozen in time. An area of Cuba with incredible historical importance, this once-thriving city boasts incredible colonial architecture that remains incredibly well-preserved. A little off the tourist trail and an area only people travelling around Cuba usually see, this UNESCO World Heritage site is definitely worth the visit. In this blog, we’ll take you through what we think are the best things to do in Trinidad, Cuba, after we spent 4 days exploring this beautiful city and surrounding areas.
Where is Trinidad, Cuba?
Trinidad is in the Sancti Spíritus province, approximately 6 hours from Havana, in the central region of Cuba along the south coast. Positioned between the Escambray Mountains to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, Trinidad’s cobblestone streets and well-preserved colonial architecture reflect the city’s former prosperity from the sugar trade. This makes it a must-see destination if you’re looking to immerse yourself in a strong culture, timeless beauty and places with historical significance that are away from the more crowded tourist spots.
Map of Best Things to Do in Trinidad, Cuba
How to use this map: Click the little icon in the top left corner. At the touch of a finger, you have your own Google Maps location pins for every spot mentioned in this blog, separated into helpful categories.
The 13 Best Things to Do in Trinidad, Cuba
1. Rent Bikes and Cycle to Playa Ancon (or take a taxi!)
Renting a bike is a great way to explore this colonial city and tick off the best things to do in Trinidad, Cuba. However, it’s also a mode of transport that can get you out of the city and to a beautiful white sand beach with clear Caribbean waters.
Ok, so this long-ish and hot bike ride might not be for everyone, but stick with us because you can get to this beautiful beach via taxi anyway.
The ride to Playa Ancon is around 12km each way and is relatively flat (but don’t do what we did and leave until late morning: it gets hot!). The route is incredibly picturesque, taking you down onto a peninsula that offers spectacular views back across the water to Trinidad. As you get closer to the beach, you’ll notice a few modern hotels/resorts (which seemed empty when we were there).
Obviously, you don’t have to cycle. Getting a taxi to Playa Ancon will give you the same views, and you’ll sweat a lot less. But, we personally thought this was one of the best things to do in Trinidad if you like an adventure.
🚗 For something quintessential-Cuba, head to Playa Ancon on this 10/10 rated classic car ride. Straight from your accommodation, journey to the beach in a classic American car (hotel/accommodation pick up included).
The beach itself has plenty of free umbrellas for shade and a public beach bar too. It’s a great spot to escape the city for a while.
Top tips for visiting Playa Ancon:
- There are a few beaches on this stretch. We enjoyed Playa Ancon most, but Playa Ancoa and Playa Maria Aguilar are also worth a visit.
- Leave early if you’re cycling, and take plenty of water.
2. Explore Plaza Mayor
Next on the list of best things to do in Trinidad is Plaza Mayor, the historic and architectural centre of Trinidad. Flanked by well-preserved colonial buildings, the square is known for its white cobblestones and numerous landmarks, such as the Museo Romántico and the bell tower of the former convent. Also, locals and tourists use Plaza Mayor as a meeting point or to cool off in the shade of palms and gardens.
The Plaza Mayor’s central location makes it a perfect spot to visit on a walking tour of Trinidad. It offers a real sense of the city’s past with its unspoiled 19th-century architecture and a number of museums that provide context to the city’s cultural and historical importance.
If you’re looking for a spot to sit and chill out for a while, Plaza Mayor is one of the best things to do in Trinidad. With manicured gardens and plenty of benches, you could sit here, admire the buildings and people-watch for a while.
🎒 On this 3-hour tour of Trinidad, explore Playa Mayor as well as 7 other must-see spots! This tour is private for your group only and the guide is English-speaking.
Top Tips for visiting Plaza Mayor:
- Set aside time for the museums—each offers a unique view into different facets of Trinidad’s past.
- Plaza Mayor is a must-visit on a walking tour.
- The gardens are a great place to chill out and escape the heat for a while.
3. Climb the Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos (Bell Tower)
This impressive bell tower is part of the former convent of San Francisco de Asis (a place related to an Italian mystic and poet). Now, this place has been turned into a museum called the National Museum of the Struggle Against Bandits (Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos) and a visit here is definitely one of the best things to do in Trinidad, Cuba.
You can climb to the top of the bell tower, which gives you an unmatched view of Trinidad’s colonial architecture, cobbled streets and the Escambray Mountains. To get to the top, you’ll climb the tower’s old wooden stairs, which are very narrow and steep given the tower’s age and structure, but we promise the view is absolutely worth it! While there aren’t many stairs, the climb may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with mobility issues or a fear of heights.
Top tips for visiting Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos Bell Tower:
- Try to plan your visit early morning or late afternoon as the sun goes down.
- The tower is closed on Thursdays.
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4. Visit and Go on a Tour of Topes de Collantes
A trip to Trinidad wouldn’t be complete without exploring the breathtaking natural beauty surrounding the city. Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve park in the Escambray Mountains, offers just that. It’s a paradise for nature lovers and adventure travellers, making it one of the top things to do in Trinidad.
We recommend a guided tour to Topes de Collantes to be able to experience the lush, vibrant landscapes that define this area in the best possible way. You’ll come across waterfalls, natural pools, hiking, viewpoints over the Valle de los Ingenios, the community of Topes de Collantes (where you’ll learn about their daily lives), a coffee plantation and enjoy a delicious lunch of Cuban dishes in a local restaurant.
The guides are super knowledgable and throughout the day, share lots of insights with you about the area, the community and its importance to the Escambray Moutains.
Exploring Topes de Collantes provides a refreshing break from the city’s cobblestone streets and a chance to learn about Cuba’s efforts to preserve its natural habitats. Whether you’re hiking through the trails, swimming at the beautiful waterfalls, or simply enjoying the views, a visit to Topes de Collantes is undoubtedly one of the most enriching things to do in Trinidad.
🎒 Book your full-day tour of Topes de Collantes here.
5. Visit Museo de Historia Municipal (History Museum)
Next up on our list of the best things to do in Trinidad is Museo de Historia Municipal. Housed in the former Palacio Cantero (a beautiful colonial palace), Trinidad’s History Museum explores the history of the area, from its colonial beginnings to the fight for Cuban independence and the post-revolutionary period.
Inside, you’ll find a range of artefacts, including furniture, decorative arts and historical documents that provide a narrative of Trinidad’s development and the lives of its influential residents. However, most of the signs are only in Spanish, and many of them are worn and unreadable.
The museum’s highlight is arguably its mirador (lookout tower), which offers one of the best panoramic views of Trinidad (probably better than the bell tower). The wooden staircase gets incredibly narrow at certain points, and it’s steep for the last few steps, but the views of terracotta rooftops, cobblestone streets, mountains and the Caribbean Sea make it worth the effort. It’s definitely high on our list of the best things to do in Trinidad.
Top tips for visiting Museo de Historia Municipal:
- Visit the museum in the morning to avoid the heat of the day when climbing the lookout tower and enjoy clearer views before any afternoon haze sets in.
- The Mirador offers the best opportunity for cityscape shots in Trinidad.
- If you’re Spanish isn’t great, consider taking a guided tour to fully appreciate the historical context of the exhibits – local guides can provide stories and details that are not always obvious.
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6. Hike & Chase Waterfalls in Parque El Cubano
Parque El Cubano is an escape from the city and into the rainforest. This lush area provides a series of waterfall hikes that range from easy to moderate. The most popular waterfall in Parque El Cubano is Javira, but there are also other falls, like Vegas Grande and Caburni, to explore. The trails to these waterfalls are typically straightforward, so a guide isn’t necessary but you can choose to have one if you prefer.
Each waterfall has its own natural pool for swimming so you can cool off. However, the areas around the waterfalls are pretty basic — there aren’t many, if any, facilities. On your journey there and back, you’ll possibly get the chance to stop somewhere, but it’s best to be prepared with everything you need for a day out.
You have a couple of options to get to Parque El Cubano. Either take a group tour like this one or ask your accommodation to arrange a taxi for you. We found our Casa Particular hosts to be well connected and the best way of arranging any trips that we hadn’t pre-booked.
🎒 Go horseback riding and visit waterfalls in Parque El Cubano on this 5-6 hour horse riding tour of Parque El Cubano.
Top tips for visiting waterfalls in Parque El Cubano:
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes.
- Bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
- Arrange with your accommodation or at the Cubatur offices.
7. Enjoy an Evening at Taberna La Botija
Taberna La Botija has become one of the most recognised restaurants and best things to do in Trinidad, and rightly so. This place has an incredibly lively vibe with live music and dancing on the menu most nights. The decor and staff uniforms are a nod to Trinidad’s past, with staff dressed in traditional Cuban attire and the walls covered with items from the city’s history.
As you might expect from a popular tourist spot, the menu has some traditional Cuban options, but much of it has been catered towards visitors. The prices reflect that too. But don’t let that put you off. We suggest dedicating an entire evening to Taberna La Botjia, making time for a few drinks before our after your meal – you won’t want to leave!
Be warned, some people find the wall decorations disrespectful as there are many chains, shackles and other items from the slavery era. However, Taberna La Botija explains this as paying homage to the sacrifice African slaves made and the important role they played in building this once prestigious city.
🍸 Before or after your meal, why not do a cocktail workshop? At this incredibly cheap cocktail workshop in Trinidad, you prepare and try 3 very typical Cuban cocktails as well as the one you make! The workshop lasts 1.5 hours and starts at either 6pm or 8pm.
Top tips for visiting Taberna La Botija:
- Make a reservation if you can. People are often queuing out the door here!
- Arrive early or late in the evening without a reservation.
- Consider timing your visit to catch some live music.
- Before or after your dinner, have some fun at a cocktail workshop.
8. Dance at Casa De La Musica
A list of the best things to do in Trinidad wouldn’t be complete without Casa de la Musica. In fact, it’s possibly top of the list. This a staple of the local nightlife and a central hub for live music. Situated in an open-air venue on the steps adjacent to Plaza Mayor, it draws both locals and tourists every night who are treated to performances by talented musicians and dancers.
The venue is really cute and simple, it’s just a series of stone steps where you can sit with a drink in hand, enjoying the music or joining in the dance. The informal setting means there’s no need for reservations, and it’s easy to come and go as you please. However, you may choose to grab a table at one of the nearby bars or restaurants and we’d recommend making a reservation for these.
💃 You can’t visit Cuba and not do a salsa and rumba dance class! This highly rated tour is very reasonably priced and suitable for complete novices (like us!).
Top tips for visiting Casa De La Musica:
- Arrive early to get a good spot on the steps or a table – it can get busy.
- Don’t shy away from the dance floor—even if you’re a beginner. The locals often encourage visitors to learn a few salsa steps.
9. Party at Disco Ayala: A Nightclub in a Cave
Disco Ayala, also known as “La Cueva,” is a nightclub inside a natural cave! Now, if that doesn’t sound like one of the best things to do in Trinidad, we don’t know what does, and it’s just five minutes from the centre and within easy walking distance.
As the night progresses, Disco Ayala comes to life with a mix of international and Cuban music with the acoustics in the cave providing an interesting sound experience. It’s a bit of a surreal experience getting on the dance floor in a natural cavern!
The line can get long here and it can get quite crowded and hot inside, so while the party doesn’t really get lively until around 11 pm, we suggest arriving a little before (9:30 pm – 10 pm) to enjoy the cave before the crowds arrive.
Top tips for visiting Disco Ayala:
- Wear cool and comfortable clothing as it can get hot and humid.
- The club doesn’t start filling up until late, so for the full experience, stay until after 11 pm.
- Arrive at 9:30 pm – 10 pm to experience the true novelty and beauty of La Cueva before the crowds.
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10. Dine at Restaurante San José
Restaurante San José is the kind of place you wouldn’t expect to see in Trinidad. The outside of the building is unassuming, but once you step in the door it transforms into a vast, modern restaurant with multiple dining areas and pristine decor.
According to reviews, it’s one of the most popular restaurants in Trinidad, and we ranked it among the best things to do in Trinidad because of the amazing service and selection of options on the menu. All the food looked delicious, but the pasta dishes we had were one of the best things we ate in our 3 weeks travelling around Cuba!
One thing to remember is it’s a popular spot, which means it can get busy, so making a reservation might be a good idea, especially if visiting during peak tourist season or for dinner.
Top tip for dinner at Restaurante San José:
- Make a reservation during peak tourist season. Call ahead or have your accommodation help secure a booking.
11. Explore Valle de los Ingenios
Spanning over 220 square kilometres, Valle de los Ingenios is an expansive series of three interconnected valleys that was once the epicentre of sugar production in Cuba during the 18th and 19th centuries. At its peak, this fertile region housed over fifty sugar mills, with huge cane plantations and an infrastructure comprising warehouses, barracks, and mansions!
As sugar became the island’s most important export, the valley contributed drastically to the Cuban economy and Trinidad became incredibly wealthy. However, this economic boom came at a tremendous human cost, with thousands of African slaves struggling in harsh conditions to maintain the productivity of the sugar mills.
Now, you can jump on a train or go on a bike tour from Trinidad to explore the valleys and the spectacular views over sugar cane fields. As with most things in Cuba, it’s hit-and-miss as to whether the train is running or not, so we recommend the bike tour or a taxi tour.
A highlight of the tour is the Manaca Iznaga estate, featuring a 45-meter-high tower built in 1816. The tower was used to keep watch over the slaves working in the cane fields below. Today, visitors can climb the tower for panoramic views of the valley and to experience another of the best things to do in Trinidad.
🎒 For a unique way to explore Valle de los Ingenios, this 4-hour bike tour is a really amazing way to experience the area and views over the sugar cane fields, as well as visit Plaza Carillo Square, a traditional winery, the old trains that used to transport sugar cane around Cuba, and a pottery workshop!
Top tips for exploring Valle de los Ingenios:
- Bring a camera; the views from Iznaga Tower are sensational.
- Wear sturdy shoes and sun protection; the climb and valley walks can be demanding.
- A taxi and local guide are more reliable than the train.
12. Take a Horse and Carriage Tour
Just like horseback riding is a top experience in Vinales, a horse and carriage tour is one of the best things to do in Trinidad, Cuba. This is a charming and novel way to explore the city’s cobbled streets and colonial architecture. It offers a slower pace of travel that complements Trinidad’s laid-back atmosphere and allows for an unobstructed view of the city’s colourful buildings.
These carriages were once a primary mode of transportation in the city, so this is a way to experience what life must have been like in Trinidad historically.
You can either plan a tour in advance with pick up in your chosen location or hop into one of the many carriages you will see around the streets of Trinidad.
🎒 If you’d prefer to experience horseback riding in Trinidad amongst iconic waterfalls, this 5-6 hour horse riding tour of Parque El Cubano is a fantastic option and very reasonably priced.
Top tips for a horse and carriage tour:
- Negotiate the price before setting off. Agree on the price and duration of the tour to avoid any misunderstandings later.
- Opt for a tour in the early morning or late afternoon when the temperature is more comfortable.
13. Do a Salsa and Rumba Dance Class
If you’re looking for authentic things to do in Trinidad, signing up for a salsa and rumba dance class should definitely be on your list. Salsa and rumba dance styles are integral parts of the culture here. No matter if you’re a dance floor regular or have two left feet, these classes cater to all levels, offering a fun and immersive way to connect with the local culture.
The instructors in the class are patient and very skilled, ensuring you get the basics down before attempting more complex moves. Besides learning new dance steps, it’s a great way to meet new people and share in the joy and passion that Cubans have for their music and dance.
After your class, you’ll feel more confident to hit the dance floor at any of Trinidad’s lively music venues, making it one of the must-do things in Trinidad for anyone looking to fully embrace the local vibe.
💃 Book your Salsa and Rumba Dance Class here.
FAQs About the Best Things to Do in Trinidad, Cuba
Is it worth going to Trinidad in Cuba?
Yes, Trinidad in Cuba is worth visiting for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, quaint cobbled streets, vibrant Cuban atmosphere and nearby pretty waterfalls like the Valle de los Ingenios and incredible Playa Ancon.
How many days should you spend in Trinidad?
Ideally, spend 3 to 4 days in Trinidad to fully explore the historic city centre, nearby beaches, and natural parks, as well as to experience the local music and nightlife. This gives you ample time to explore the city itself and any activities beyond, such as beaches, hiking and waterfalls.
What is Trinidad known for?
Trinidad is known for its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, live music, and proximity to mountains and beaches. It’s a destination in Cuba that offers a bit of everything.
Is Trinidad safe for tourists?
Trinidad is generally safe for tourists, and Cuba has a low crime rate anyway. Take the regular precautions as you would anywhere else, and you will be fine. The only thing to be aware of is people asking you to exchange money in the street. Avoid doing this at all costs, as there have been stories of these people taking tourists’ money and not returning. Only exchange money with your Casa Particular host.
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