Things to do in Trinidad Cuba

Here are things to do in Trinidad Cuba since there really is a lot to see here. Even though Havana is not to be missed, it’s not the only place to visit.

One of the reasons one comes to the island, besides beaches, rum, and samba, is the legacy of Che Guevara, the famous guerrilla leader who helped belated president Fidel Castro carry out the revolution. Also, travelers from around the globe (me included) love going back in time and visiting the lovely colonial mansions.

So, skip the beach for a day or two and head over to Trinidad, Cienfuegos, and Santa Clara.

Cienfuegos Cuba

This tour was so rewarding. We went to Central Cuba and one of the stops was Cienfuegos. The town was founded in 1819 by Catholic settlers from the former French colonies of Haiti and Louisiana. The gulf itself was discovered by Columbus in 1494.

Here at the Parque Marti you will find the only triumphal arch in Cuba, commissioned in 1902 to celebrate the Republic. Also, the Teatro Tomas Terry is hard to miss, the one that was built in the 19th century to fulfill the last will and testament of the sugar factory owner.

On the other side of the park, there is the Museo Provincial building, which was once the Casino Espanol. Its furniture, marble objects, and crystal, and porcelain collections, bear witness to the wealth of 19th-century families who lived here. There is also Palacio Ferrer built at the beginning of the 1900s. This is where Enrico Caruso stayed when he performed at the Teatro Tomas Terry.

Things to do in Trinidad Cuba

A town that truly takes you on a trip through time is Trinidad. Even though the town was founded in the 16th century, a vast portion of the population left a few centuries later due to the poor economy. It was also somewhat isolated because the railway that went throughout Cuba was not introduced here until 1919. Roads to Cienfuegos and Sancti Spiritus were only laid out in the 1950s.

That is the main reason why the town stayed the same just like time has stopped. It was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.

So, just imagine strolling along cobblestone streets and passing pastel-colored houses – a few authentic things to do in Trinidad Cuba. There is Plaza Mayor. On one side of the Plaza, Museo de Arquitectura Colonial stands in a beautifully restored old mansion. On the other – Museo Romantico, with a collection of furniture and items from another era. It’s possible to go inside and admire not only the luxurious rooms but also the whole town from its terraces.

You will notice charming windows and doors in this town, rich in wrought-iron ornamental motifs and with wooden shutters.

The town is also recognizable by the bell tower of the Monastery of San Francisco. It’s easy to come across local cocktail bars and small tavernas with live music, the so-called Casas de la Trova. This is another must-do among things to do in Trinidad Cuba given that it provides a genuine Cuban feel.

Santa Clara Cuba

One more town was part of the tour I took – Santa Clara Cuba. It became especially famous because of the event in 1958. This is where the last battle of the guerrilla war led by Che Guevara took place, and it is now known as “the city of the heroic guerrilla”.

The place to visit here is the memorial center called “Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara”.

The monument of Che was built to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the battle of Santa Clara in 1988. The complex comprises a museum and the mausoleum of Che Guevara. The museum houses his personal belongings – a uniform, watch, pipe, container for mate tea, Che’s famous beret, and jacket.

Che’s body was transferred here in 1997, 30 years after he was arrested and killed in Bolivia when he was 39.

This Argentinian by birth was the central figure in Cuban Revolution aside from Fidel Castro. (Castro’s urn was placed in the same mausoleum at the end of 2016.) Known to be persistent, well-educated, and with a great sense of humor, Che Guevara still inspires people all around the globe with his ideology.

I knew that Che was an important figure for Cubans but I didn’t realize how appreciated he still is. His legacy is still very alive on the island.

After I came back from Cuba, I read all I could find about Ernesto Guevara. I saw many black-and-white photos and listened to his interviews. And now I respect him even more.

Next: HOW ERNESTO ESCAPED ME (10)

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