 View over the old town of Trinidad to the mountains of the Sierra del Escambray | ||
| Trinidad | ||
| Country | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| The search for a province ends with the state | ||
| Residents | 51.994 () | |
| height | 60 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Trinidad (Cuba) is a city in Cuba. It is located on the southern coast, in the province Sancti Spiritus. Nestled between the mountains of the Sierra del Escambray, the Atlantic and the neighboring one Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) there is a multitude of sights to discover.
background
Trinidad is rightly the second most visited city in Cuba after Havana. Intensive sugar cultivation brought the city a lot of prosperity in the late 18th century and gave it a heyday that would last until the middle of the 19th century. A well-preserved old town with many colonial-style palaces still bears witness to this today. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and the flow of tourists increased steadily. There is now a good infrastructure for tourists, even if the city, unlike other tourist magnets, has not yet degenerated into an open-air museum and is still very authentic.
getting there
By plane
Trinidad does not have an airport. The nearest international airports are in Havana or Varadero. From there you can take a taxi, taxi collectivo or bus to Trinidad.
By train
There is a station owned by the national railway company Ferrocarriles de Cuba. This is located on Calle Reforma.
By bus
Trinidad has good bus connections and is served by all bus companies (Viazul, etc.) from all major towns in Cuba. The bus terminal is located in the old town on Calle G. Izquierdo esq. Piero Guinart.
In the street
The Circuito Sur / Route 12 cuts through Trinidad from east to west. The next largest city on this route is Cienfuegos To the west (distance 83 km) or Sancti Spiritus to the east (distance 71 km).
By boat
mobility
Trinidad is very pedestrian-friendly, although the cobblestones are very uneven in places. All sights in the old town are within walking distance.
taxi
There are hardly any taxis in the old town as the cobblestones are very uneven. If so, it is only possible to move around at walking pace. In addition, the inner part of the old town (around the Plaza Mayor) is only accessible to residents, so you can walk faster in the center of the old town. The further you get out of the old town, you see more and more taxis or drivers offering their services. As everywhere in Cuba, the following applies: The taximeter is always "defective", so it is best to negotiate a fixed price.
coach
In Trinidad you can often see wagons with a loading platform carrying people. The price can be negotiated individually.
Tourist Attractions
Trinidad's old town is very well preserved. In contrast to the old town of Havana, the buildings are in very good condition.
Palaces
At the end of the 18th century, Trinidad became very rich from growing sugar. As a result, the "sugar barons" built very large, magnificent palaces, some of which can be visited.
Palacio Brunet
- Palacio Brunet, Calle Cristo, Trinidad 62600, Cuba. The most magnificent palace in Trinidad, located directly on the Plaza Mayor, was built between 1740 and 1812. Today the Museo Romantico is inside. Several splendid halls and rooms are grouped around the beautiful inner courtyard, which is very reminiscent of the Alhambra in Granada. Here you can relive the life of the wealthy Cuban landowners in the 19th century.Open: Mon - Sun: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Fridays.Price: Entry: 1 CUC.
Palacio Cantero
- Placio Cantero, 423 Calle Desengano, Trinidad 62600, Cuba. After the Palacio Brunet, the second most magnificent palace in Trinidad. It is not quite as sumptuously furnished as the Palacio Brunet, but there is a tower in the building that offers the best view of the panorama of Trinidad.Open: Mon - Sun: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Fridays.Price: Entry: 1 CUC.
Streets and squares
The Plaza Mayor is the center of the old town of Trinidad. At its northern end is the Iglesia de la Santisima Trinidad. It is bordered on the side by old palaces, such as the Casa Padron or the Casa Ortiz. Quiet during the day, it turns into a big stage in the evening when live bands show their skills on the stairs in the northern part of the square.
activities
shop
There are some markets in Trinidad's old town that sell a lot of souvenirs. There are also some good cigar and rum shops.
kitchen
Trinidad has many restaurants in different price ranges.
Cheap
- Dona Leonor, Plaza Mayor, Trinidad. Small pizzeria and bar in the Plaza Mayor. Inexpensive pizzas and cocktails (also to take away).
medium
Upscale
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nightlife
For a small town, Trinidad has a good nightlife, especially in the old town there are many bars where live music is played during the day and especially in the evening. There are also a few clubs, and there is live music on the stairs by Plaza Mayor every day. There are a few bars there. However, 1CUC entry is required for the stairs. It is cheapest to get a take-away cocktail from one of the bars in the Plaza Mayor (maximum 2CUC) and sit down at the foot of the stairs.
Clubs
- Ayala disco, above the ruins of Ermita de la Popa, Trinidad 62600. Tel.: 53 141-996615. One of the most extraordinary clubs in Cuba, even in the Caribbean. It is located in a huge stalactite cave. Mostly Latin American disco music is played. The audience consists of tourists, but also many locals. Moderate prices.
accommodation
Trinidad offers many accommodations in all possible price ranges. You live centrally (but a little more expensive) around the Plaza Mayor in the old town. There are many casas in old colonial houses. It is cheaper in the newer part of Trinidad, outside the old town. But you have to walk another walk to the sights. In the high season (December to March) it is advisable to book in advance, as many accommodations there are booked out in advance.
Cheap
- Hostal Amatista, Boca No. 366, Trinidad, Cuba. Tel.: 53 52711378. Centrally located casa with very nice hosts. Two double rooms (approx. 30CUC per night, with roof terrace (great view). Very rich breakfast for 5CUC.
medium
Upscale
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Learn
Work
security
Trinidad is very safe. However, you should avoid the (small) poor district on the mountain. This is at the end of the Boca uphill. There was very intrusive begging there. In addition, there are a lot of people in Trinidad, the notorious for Cuba "Jineteros" who offer their "services". They often stand in corners, chat in line and want to sell all kinds of things: (fake) cigars, taxi rides, etc. But they are not as intrusive as in Pinar del Rio, for example. A perfidious trick of the Jineteros, which is particularly often used in Trinidad, is to show you the wrong accommodation. They pretend to be helpful locals, ask (on arrival at the bus station) about the booked casa and then claim that it is overbooked, closed or the like. They then offer another casa (and then charge a 10% "service fee"). In any case, don't fall for it and move on!
health
Practical advice
trips
A MUST (when visiting Trinidad) is a trip to the nearby Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills). You can also go to the mountains of the Sierra de Escambray.
literature
Web links
- http://www.dtcuba.com/PoloInfo.aspx?pc=9 (it) - Official website of Trinidad
