Trinidad is a town in the south of Cuba.
Not to be confused with the island of Trinidad which is part of the
island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, the Cuban town of Trinidad
was founded in 1514 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since
1988.
The town was originally founded by the Spanish and became prosperous
from sugar harvested in the neighbouring valleys by Africans imported
as slaves.
The town is preserved almost intact, with cobblestoned streets, colonial
houses, plazas, palaces and churches.
Horse and carts are still common and cowboys still ride the streets.
Every night of the week, there are numerous good restaurants, bars and
live music venues. A lobster dinner will set you back about $8.
Our casa owner pointed us to a bar named "Casa de la Trova" for some
of the best live music in Cuba. He wasn't wrong. This place was cool.
A venue that other musicians would come just to listen. And some of
the coolest musicians in Cuba are in their 60's, 70's and older. Dark
glasses, white suits and hats. These guys invented the genre.
Trinidad was built about 5km inland to provide a buffer zone from
marauding pirates. We are talking the real pirates of the Caribbean
here. And there were a lot of them. Many reached the town itself
over the centuries.
Nearby, on the coast, is the resort of Playa Ancon. We swam in the
warm, clear water at the beautiful beach and hired a catamaran and
skipper to go snorkelling on the coral.
Trinidad became one of our most favourite places we have ever visited.
I recommend you try and get there some time.