Trinidad, Cuba Travel Guide: Colonial Charm, Hidden Gems, & Must-Know Tips
Welcome to our Trinidad Cuba travel guide, your ultimate resource for exploring one of Cuba’s most charming and picturesque destinations.
From UNESCO World Heritage sites to nearby beaches and valleys, Trinidad offers something for every type of traveler. Whether you’re discovering its colonial charm or soaking in the natural beauty, you're sure to fall in love with this underrated Cuban destination.
In our Trinidad, Cuba travel guide we'll be sharing the best things to do in Trinidad, how to get around, and tips for having an incredible visit.
*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you. Links are only used on products & services that we've used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience. Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!
Our Travel Planning Recommendations
Skyscanner (flights)
Booking.com (hotels)
🎫 Get Your Guide (tours)
Ticket Master (events)
📸 Best Buy (equipment)
🚗 Rental Cars (car rentals)
Train Line (train tickets)
Bus Bud (bus tickets)
Direct Ferries (ferries)
Cruise Direct (cruises)
Trinidad, Cuba Travel Guide: a Brief Intro
Trinidad, Cuba, is a beautifully preserved colonial town bursting with history, culture, and charm. This Trinidad Cuba travel guide will help you explore its colorful streets, lively music scene, and breathtaking surroundings, from pristine beaches to lush mountains.
What is Trinidad in Cuba Known For?
Trinidad is famous for its cobblestone streets, colonial-era architecture with colorful buildings, and its vibrant atmosphere. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s known for live salsa music, historic plazas, and nearby natural wonders like Topes de Collantes and Playa Ancón.
Trinidad is known for its beautiful blend of architecture and nature.
Why Should I Go to Trinidad, Cuba?
Trinidad offers the perfect mix of history, culture, and outdoor adventure. Whether you want to admire its well-preserved Spanish colonial buildings, relax on stunning beaches, or hike in the mountains, this city has something for every traveler.
Trinidad has something for everyone to enjoy.
Where is Trinidad in Cuba?
Trinidad is located on Cuba’s southern coast in the province of Sancti Spíritus. It sits between the Caribbean Sea and the Escambray Mountains, making it an ideal destination for both cultural exploration and nature lovers.
How To Travel Cheaper and Better in 15 minutes!
How much more would you travel, if it costed you less resources?
With our Free eBook, you will learn how to save money and time on your future trips. Plus, you'll see the exact system we use.
Grab your copy for free when you sign up for our newsletter 👇
Trinidad, Cuba Travel Guide: How to Get to Trinidad
Now that you know a bit about Trinidad, let's get into the next part of our Trinidad, Cuba travel guide - getting there. Here are the different options for traveling to Trinidad in Cuba.
- Take the Viazul tourist bus
- Rent a car and drive
- Get a colectivo or taxi
- Hire a classic car (from Havana)
Some of the most popular cities to visit Trinidad from are Havana, Varadero, and Cienfuegos.
We've actually written a full guide for how to get to Trinidad, with all of the options from each of the cities.
Trinidad, Cuba Travel Guide: Local Food & Drink
Trinidad has some great restaurants full of beautiful decor, live music, and a blend of local and international dishes.
Here are a few things we suggest trying while in Trinidad:
- Seafood - as you're by the water, this is a great place to have some fresh catches
- Ropa Vieja - a traditional Cuban dish with shredded beef, tomatoes, and peppers, often served with rice, beans, plantains, or a mix of all of them
- Daquiris - while the food didn't always drive us wild in Cuba, the drinks certainly delivered. Being where the daquiri was created, it's the perfect addition to any meal, or for enjoying at a rooftop, listening to live music, or while dancing salsa. Daquiris in Cuba are made of simple, fresh ingredients, and were truly our favorite part of any dining experience.
The Best Restaurants in Trinidad, Cuba
While we spent just a short time in Trinidad, we do have a few recommendations for eating and drinking around the center of town.
- la Nueva Era Palador: our favorite spot in town - this restaurant has various outdoor seating areas with different levels and feels like a museum. Grab a drink on the rooftop or try their menu with fresh fish or ropa vieja.
- Sapori Italian Downtown: an Italian restaurant with fresh pasta dishes that has two locations and is owned by an Italian who moved to Cuba
- Quince Catorce: a beautiful restaurant next to the main plaza that has live music
- Rincon de la Salsa: open from 10 pm to 2 am, this salsa club is in the heart of Trinidad - grab a daquiri and dance the night away!
La Nueva Era Palador was our favorite restaurant in Trinidad.
All Your Travels
in One Book
Transform your travel memories into a unique book, with personalized pages, country by country.
Trinidad, Cuba Travel Guide: Local Adjustments
Now you know a bit about the food and drinks in Trinidad, but let's get back to an important part of our Trinidad, Cuba travel guide, which is about the local adjustments. These are some of the "know before you go" details, such as the currency, language, and tipping culture in the area.
What Language Do They Speak in Trinidad, Cuba?
The official language in Cuba is Spanish. While there are certain people in the tourism industray that do speak English, it's not super common to come by in Trinidad.
Speaking Spanish will help you immensely to not be taken advantage of, so we recommend learning as much as you can before visiting Cuba.
What Currency is Used in Cuba?
The financial situation in Cuba is a bit different than most countries. They used to have 3 different currencies, and are now down to 2. Americans cannot use their credit cards in Cuba, so it's crucial to bring USD, and then you can exchange it (preferably at the black market rate).
Purchases from local and restaurants are typically in the local currency (CUP), while purchases for transportation or tours are usually in USD, so it's important to have both on you at all times.
We actually have a full guide coming up that will dive into all of the details! Subscribe to our newsletter for our weekly updates on the newest info, and to receive exclusive content.
What Plugs are Used in Trinidad, Cuba?
Cuba uses the same outlets as the US, which are for plug type A. Typically, the voltage is 110V/60Hz, although some hotels (usually in the bathrooms) may also have 220V and rounded sockets for plug type C (European plugs).
Is Tap Water Drinkable in Trinidad, Cuba?
The water is not safe to drink in Trinidad, so it's important to stick to bottled water. We recommend getting a large jug from the supermarket, and then to refill a reusable water bottle so you can be a more eco-friendly traveler.
Tipping Culture in Trinidad, Cuba
Tipping in Cuba is common, especially within the tourism industry. We recommend tipping 10% of the bill while in restaurants, which can be in Cuban pesos or in USD.
Will You Buy Us A Coffee? ☕
As coffee lovers, we always enjoy the energy of caffeine. It helps us get the best free travel guides out there for you! 😄
Trinidad, Cuba Travel Guide: Things to Do
Now comes the most fun part of our Trinidad, Cuba travel guide!
There are plenty of fun things to do in Trinidad, with a variety of activites to explore, relax, or dive into the culture and history of the area.
Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!
Here is a list of our favorite activities and attractions in Trinidad, Cuba:
Explore the historical center
Roam the colorful streets
Take a free walking tour
Visit Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Check Out Palacio Cantero
Have a rooftop drink at la Nueva Era Palador
Shop for Local Handicrafts
Relax at Playa Ancon
Discover Valle de los Ingenios
Enjoy the nightlife at Casa de la Musica
Learn how to dance salsa
Hike in Topes de Collantes Natural Park
Take a day trip to El Nicho
Explore El Cubano Natural Park
There are so many fun things to do in Trinidad, Cuba, that we actually created a separate guide for you!
There are so many things to do and see in and around Trinidad.
Trinidad, Cuba: Getting Around
Now that you know the top things to do in the city, let's get to the next part of our Trinidad Cuba travel guide, which is to help you get from one place to another.
What is the Best Way to Get Around Trinidad, Cuba?
The center of Trinidad is very pedestrian-friendly, and we'd highly recommend walking around as much as you can.
When it comes to exploring outside of the city center, there are a few options you can look into:
- Hiring a driver to bring you around
- Renting a scooter to get around
- Getting taxis to go from one place to another
The center of Trinidad is very pedestrian-friendly.
Hiring a Driver in Trinidad
The easiest way to get around and enjoy Trinidad is by hiring a local driver for the day. You can typically ask your host and s/he will probably have connections to drivers who you can hire to take you around places like Valle de los Ingenios or Topes el Collantes.
Renting a Scooter in Trinidad, Cuba
If you're looking for a bit more freedom as well as a budget-friendly option, then renting a scooter is a fun and unique option for exploring on your own.
We absolutely loved getting around with a scooter - until it broke down that is. For some reason every scooter we rented had broken down.
If it weren't for our scooters failing on us, this would definitely be our number one recommendation, as it was an exciting and different way to see the area.
Taking Taxis in Trinidad
For visiting one place for several hours (such as Playa Ancon), it won't really be necessary to have a driver with you at all times. Around the center there are plenty of taxis that you can hire, and you can also get their number to pick you up later.
Don't forget to bring USD, as for some reason many taxis will request only getting paid in USD rather than the local currency.
Transform your photos
One click is all it takes to make your photos look stunning. Get our latest package of Lightroom presets, Into The Wild.
Trinidad, Cuba Travel Guide: Where to Stay
Trinidad isn't such a busy city, but you'll certainly want to stay in the historic center so that you can enjoy the colorful streets and access to some of the top things to do in the Trinidad city.
Popular sites like Booking.com and Expedia don't work in Cuba, so you'll have to look for places on Airbnb.
We stayed in one that had a great host! She was really helpful during our stay, and we had air conditioning (which is essential in Cuba), a nice location, and a clean, spacious place.
The city center is the best area to stay in Trinidad.
Trinidad, Cuba Travel Guide: Safety
Trinidad is small town, and we honestly felt pretty safe there, especially compared to Havana, which was chaotic and full of scam artists.
The people were super friendly in Trinidad, and the vibes were really nice. We do need to mention though, that especially outside the center and in the smaller towns you'll see a lot of poverty.
It's always important to be supportive and try to help, but not to simply hand out all of your money or trust people too much. Keep an eye on your belongings, and refrain from wearing extra flashy bags or jewelry.
Other Things to Know About Visiting Trinidad, Cuba
You now know almost everything you need to visit Trinidad! But don't go anywhere just yet - we have a few more details in our Trinidad, Cuba travel guide to share with you.
Weather in Trinidad
Trinidad experiences tropical Caribbean weather, with hot temperatures year-round. Cuba has two main seasons, which are the dry season (the northern hemisphere's winter), and the rainy season (June-October).
In the summer it is excessively hot and humid, with frequent storms and an insane amount of mosquitos. Meanwhile, during the dry season you'll experience warm days that are perfect for the beach, and pleasantly cool nights.
The Best Time to Visit Trinidad, Cuba
The best time to visit Trinidad is after the rainy season. This is when the nearby parks are at their greenest, and the waterfulls are at their fullest. You'll also be able to enjoy sunny days and enjoyable temperatures without an insane amount of humidity, insects, or storms.
We'd recommend the months of November, December, and January, but February-April are also good months for ideal temperatures before the rainy season begins.
Trinidad is super green, but make sure to go after the rainy season!
Packing For a Trip to Trinidad
Here are some of the things we'd recommend bringing on your trip to Trinidad:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insect Repellent
- Insulated Water Bottle (to hold the temperature)
- Flip Flops (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
- Sneakers (for hiking)
- Small Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are the best in the market and last super long)
- Beach Towel
- Bathing Suit
- Camera - (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Action Camera (we use the GoPro for underwater shots, and the Insta 360 with the extra long selfie stick for drone-like shots)
- Waterproof Phone Pouch (we use the Case Mate Phone Pouch)
- Cash (you can't use a credit card if you are from the US)
Don't forget to pack for the beach!
Looking To Travel Somewhere?
Off The Beaten Trips is our travel agency.
But this isn't anything like you've ever experienced before. You'll have an epic trip without having to break the piggy bank.
Unique locations. Epic adventures. Lifetime memories.
Is it Worth Visiting Trinidad, Cuba?
Trinidad was certainly one of the places we liked most during our trip to Cuba, so we'd highly recommend taking the trip over there.
It's the perfect blend of small city vibes and beautiful nature, making it desirable for a variety of travel types.
How Many Days Do You Need in Trinidad, Cuba?
Trinidad is quite small, and we were able to experience everything in a weekend. Spending 2 days and 2 nights is ideal, and we'd recommend 3-4 if you want to explore the nearby parks like Topes de Collantes and El Cubano Natural Reserve a bit more extensively.
Travel Planning Tools
Here are some useful tools that you can use for planning your upcoming trip!
We hope this Trinidad, Cuba travel guide helps you plan a great trip to this beautiful area of the country! It was honestly one of our favorite cities in Cuba, and the perfect place to enjoy a blend of charming streets and gorgeous nature.
Want to explore other awesome parts of Cuba? We have a few other Cuba Travel Guides, as well as plenty of others coming up! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you can get all of our weekly updates, as well as lots of exclusive content.
Ready to start planning your trip to Cuba? Well, we're here to help! We can help you find the best flight deals, and create you a custom itinerary. Take a look at some of our travel planning packages, or email us today for your free consultation.
Here are some other articles you'll love:
Like this article? Please share it with your family and friends, so that we can continue to keep creating free travel guides for you! It takes just a second, and would mean the world to us. Thanks for being here!
