Founded in 1514 by Diego Velázquez, Trinidad was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the city was a wealthy slave-trading center and hub of sugar production, and its wealthy landowners and merchants erected fine homes and mansions. The cobblestone streets lined with pastel-colored houses have barely changed since then; Trinidad feels like a town that time has passed by. Unlike most Cuban cities, Trinidad sits on a hill and is cooled by near-constant breezes.
NEED TO KNOW
Convento de San Francisco de Asís • Calle Echerri 59 • 41 99 4121 • 9am–5pm daily • Adm: CUC$1; cameras CUC$1 
Plaza Mayor Museo Romántico • Calle Echerri & Calle Bolívar • 41 99 4363 • 9am–5pm Mon–Fri & alternate Sun • Adm: CUC$2, cameras CUC$1 Casa de la Trova • Calle Echerri 29 • 41 99 6445 • 10am– 1pm daily • Adm: CUC$1 after 8pm Museo Histórico • Calle Bolívar 423 • 41 99 4460 • 9am–5pm Mon–Thu, Sat & alternate Sun • Adm: CUC$2; cameras CUC$1 - Locals may scam you to stay at casas particulares. Don’t trust any claims that your casa has closed.
1.Convento de San Francisco de Asís
This ancient convent hosts a museum that recounts the fight against counter-revolutionaries (for further details see 1953: Castro Attacks Moncada). The landmark bell tower can be climbed for a commanding view of the historic center.
Convento de San Francisco de Asís
2.Plaza Mayor
This atmospheric, palm-shaded square at the heart of the old city is surrounded by a cathedral and important mansions that today house museums and art galleries.
Plaza Mayor
3.Shopping
Good bargains can be found at the crafts markets lining the streets, where locals sell hand-stitched lace and papier-mâché models of 1950s US automobiles.
4.Playa Ancón
This is an immaculate beach with turquoise waters on a peninsula 6 miles (10 km) from Trinidad. It is the setting for three tourist hotels.
Playa Ancón
5.Nightlife
Trinidad is rightly celebrated for its after-dark ambience and, in particular, for traditional performances by Afro-Cuban troupes.
6.Museo Romántico
The Palacio Brunet, now a museum, is furnished in period style. The beautiful architectural details include a carved cedar ceiling and mediopuntos – half-moon stained-glass windows.
7.Casa de la Trova
Traditional music is played at the “House of the Troubador”, on Plazuela de Segarte. This 1777 mansion is adorned with murals.
Dancers at Casa de la Trova
8.Vale de los Ingenios
This broad valley to the east of Trinidad is dotted with the atmospheric ruins of centuries-old sugar mills, including Hacienda Manaca Iznaga, which has a tower that can be climbed (for further details see Valle de los Ingenios).
9.La Boca
This rocky beach has spectacular views of the Escambray mountains (Sierra del Escambray). The sands are a great place to mingle with the locals.
10.Museo Histórico
Housed in the Palacio Cantero, the exhibits, including a fountain that once spouted eau de cologne, tell the town’s story.
Museo Histórico
STEAM TRAINS
About 50 steam trains still operate in Cuba. Most are used to haul sugarcane to the mills, while a few are used for tourist excursions. Many trains date back to more than a century. Every year several trains are abandoned and most become open-air museum pieces.
