As part of the newly trodden tourist triangle, Trinidad holds weight as a contender as one of the best beach towns in Cuba. With white sand beaches only 12km from town, a great historic centre and plenty of privately owned restaurants and Casa accommodation, you’d be hard pressed to give this town a miss when you’re in Cuba.
Historic Centre
With its quaint cobbled streets Trinidad has survived Spanish occupation, Pirates, and the revolution. It’s on the Square that you’ll find a mix of locals and tourists vying for the most shaded bench seats as they check the Internet. With the introduction of the World Wide Web only a few months ago , local Cubans (and tourists) que for hours to get a one hour Internet card. The range is limited to the square, so if you’re planning to surf the net in your Casa or hotel you’re in for a surprise. The Internet access ranges in price from place to place, but here in Trinidad he cost is $2.50AUD per hour. One good thing is that if you don’t use all your credit it’s held on the card until you log on again.
The streets are incredible and seem to go for miles. There’s block after block of picture post card building as far as the eye an see. Like in all old Spanish cities head to the square. It’s from here you can get your bearings and see the viewing tower. Entry to the museum is $5.00Aud and a further $2.00AUD if you decide to take pictures The internal stairs are a bit steep and a tight squeeze but the rewarding views over the rooftops of the old city are worth the effort. There are a couple of souvenir levels in the tower but be sure to shop around as prices do vary..
Food
There’s three ways to experience food in Trinidad.
In a Casa
In a private restaurant
Try your luck at a state owned restaurant or shop
Dining in a Casa or locals home is an experience not to be missed, we’ve done this many times in Cuba. Most of the time you’ll be served and the host eat either in another part of the house or will wait and eat later. I’m sure if you wanted you could dine with them, but from what we experienced must want to serve you. The meals are wholesome, fulling and there seems to be more than you can eat bought to the table each time.. Make sure you try black rice and beans as its a traditional dish. Our friends in Trinidad served up garlic shrimps that were just delicious.
In a Private Restaurant you’ll find the menus are more to the standard of your typical suburban restaurants I back home. The food is great, the prices are cheap and the cocktails are even cheaper. Usually you’ll pay $2.50AUD for a cocktail in a private restaurant. Private Restaurants are owned and not run by the state. How do you tell them apart. Trust us it’s easy. Private establishments look like restaurants should..
State Owned Restaurants are something you have to try in Cuba. We tried several during our time here. We tried what looked like an ice cream parlour on the corner of the square in Trinadad. Their offering was a couple of varieties of pizza. Cheese or cheese with ham. The cost 50cents each. The ham looked like it came out of a can and the bread was a thick bad of tough oversized hamburger bun. As for the freezers with ice cream logos, they were empty and turned off and now being used for storage. The Hardee’s thing to contend with ( apart from no ice cream) was the flys that were here in mass. Maybe emptying the trash bin in the corner would help. Yup these store are an experience not to be missed.
Beaches
Cuba has some incredible beaches and Trinidad is only 12 km from the water. It’s a short bus ride ($2.00AUD) away. The busses do run to a timetable or if you prefer you can take a taxi ($4.00AUD).
Accommodation
If you’re coming to Trinidad and you want to experience living in a local Casa then contact us and we’ll put you in touch with our great friends at Hostal Las Margaritas
Our host family all speak a little English and are eager to show you around. The Casa is two homes side by side that share their facilities. They’re currently building two more rooms and from what we can see they’re going to be quite comfortable. Complete with air conditioning, shower and toilet and being semi detached you still get the feeling of independence. Currently the rooms are $35.00 per night and breakfast / dinner can be supplied at an extra cost.
Transport
Taxis and private cars are one and the same in Cuba. You’ll always find someone fasting “Taxi Senior” weather they’re a ligitimate taxi or not who know as no one has a meter, radio telephone or navigation system. Here you just negotiate a price, get in and hope that the driver knows where to go and that the car makes it to the destination. Relax, you’re in Cuba. Enjoy the journey.
Bisi-taxi
These little tricycles are a good way to get around town, not any cheaper than a taxi but you’ll see the city at a slower pace. Though they can by incredibly bumpy on the cobblestoned streets through the old historical centre. One advantage is they’re great if you want to take picture of old buildings and cars here in Trinidad. There’s just one place the Bisi-taxi won’t go, that’s uphill on s cobbled street. It’s quicker to get out and walk.
How to get to Trinidad?
Take the Bus. It’s cheaper than flying and it’s a 6 hour ride from Havana.
There’s two bus companies you can use.
Vasuil and TransTur
Both are government owned and operate right across the country. Generally the buses are clean and tidy, although the bus we took from Trinadad to Havana really needed to have the toilet cleaned. Shallow breaths for 6 hours was the only survival technique I could muster.
