Trinidad: Home of "La Canchánchara".

The colonial and UNESCO World Heritage town of Trinidad can be reached via bus by means of Viazul.

• How we got there from La Habana:

The A/C Viazul bus ride costs 25 CUC per person, but you could also hire a private A/C taxi which would charge 120 CUC for up to 4 travelers, should you find the Viazul departure times not suitable enough for your plans.
We took the 10:45 am bus and it is recommended to be there at least 45 minutes before departure as you need to:

• Check-in your luggage (if any) first, and then
• check-in at the counter to receive a printed copy which you need to show before you board the bus.

This bus stops at a restaurant around noon for lunch. At this restaurant you will have approximately 45 minutes for lunch. The meal plan there consists of either paying 10 CUC for one plate sampler of 3 meats (chicken, pork and a fish fillet) which also allows you to eat from the fruits and salad buffet + you get one free drink (natural juice or canned soft drink) or you can line-up and wait for a while to get to the counter and order a Cuban sandwich.

• Accommodation:

​​We used Airbnb and stayed at El Hostal Mireya Medina. Mireya was such an amazing host and helped us plan our stay in Trinidad as well as helping us find the best deals with tours in and around Trinidad; for example, paying 40 CUC for my parents and I to go on a 2-hrs. tour of the Valley of Sugar Mills or ​Valle de los Ingenios versus paying approx. 35 CUC each for the same tour with Cubatur.

Even if you do not make proper reservations well in advance, do note that in Trinidad there are 1600 places to rent which offer approximately 1900 beds. Yep, Trinidad is that popular! ... but I would definitely Airbnb a place and not have to worry of another expense while on the road.

• Transportation for in and around Trinidad:

​I highly recommend contacting Ariel​ at +53. 5294.8361 as he is readily available and can take you on tours around el Valle de los Ingenios and/or take you to a different city. He took us from Cienfuegos to La Habana's airport on our last day in Cuba, to Cayo Santa María as well as other tours.

Ariel's taxi is the 1st from the left!

Places you can't miss in Trinidad and its surroundings:

• ​Museo Nacional Contra la lucha de los Bandidos:

​This Museum which resides in what used to be a convent + church of San Francisco de Asis showcases the fight against the USA-sponsored contra-revolutionaries that hid in the nearby mountains. Admission costs 1 CUC if you wish to (and you should) climb the tower otherwise it is free.
The major highlight of the free entry museum on the ground floor is the fuselage of a U.S.A. spy Lockheed U-2 plane shot down during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. The artifact itself is ridden with bullet holes which can speak itself of the severity of damages it received. 

Climbing the tower of the former convent provides you with great 360 views of the colonial city of Trinidad.

The Museum of the War Against the Bandits «La lucha contra los Bandidos» is within a former convent close to the cathedral near the Plaza Mayor in the old colonial center. The War Against the Bandits was the 1961- 69 fight against U.S.-sponsored counterrevolutionaries who hid out in the nearby mountains. You will come across a piece of the U.S. U-2 spy plane riddled with gun shots which speaks for itself. For 1 CUC, you can also climb the «mirador» from the convent's tower reached by several flights of wooden stairs which offer superb views across the whole town. Read more on my bio link: Destinations ➡️ Las Américas ➡️ Cuba

Una foto publicada por ريكاردو Calderón (@el_musafir) el 23 de Jul de 2016 a la(s) 12:42 PDT

• Tour: El Valle de los Ingenios + Mirador + Torre Manaca-Iznaga:

​​Our driver-extraordinaire, Ariel, took us on this 2-hr tour for 35 CUC. These locations have been designated UNESCO World Heritage site and are also protected by law; therefore, the government is refurbishing and renovating many of the mills and summer houses that were used during the sugar mill golden era. 

«La Torre de Manaca-Iznaga» Located in what used to be the «Valle de los Ingenios» or "Valley of the Sugar Mills" just 30 min. from #Trinidad, this tower bell was used to mark the beginning and end of the workday, prayer time and to signal the possible escape of a slave. Read more on my bio link: Destinations ➡️ Las Américas ➡️ Cuba

Una foto publicada por ريكاردو Calderón (@el_musafir) el 2 de Ago de 2016 a la(s) 6:18 PDT

View of what used to be the valley of the sugar cane plantations. There used to be around 50 sugar mills during its prime time.

Watering holes located next to each other:
​

• La Casa de la Canchánchara:

​Trinidad is the home of the canchánchara. You can't come to Trinidad and not try their most famous drink. Located on Calle Real del Jigue #90, just behind the Museo Nacional Lucha contra los Bandidos. It has an outdoor area where you can sit, relax and enjoy your drink for 6 CUC or you can also dance to the rhythm of the local band that plays throughout the night.

«La Canchánchara» The signature cocktail that originated in the World Heritage city of Trinidad, Cuba; it's made as follows: - 2 oz of aguardiente - 2 spoons of honey - 1 teaspoon of lemon juice - Ice Mix the honey and the lemon juice, add aguardiente and ice as desired, stir! Give it a try! Best drank off from a clay mug. Read more on my bio link: Destinations ➡️ Las Américas ➡️ Cuba

Una foto publicada por ريكاردو Calderón (@el_musafir) el 28 de Jul de 2016 a la(s) 3:07 PDT

• La Bodeguita del Medio:

​Although the first and main bar is located in Empedrado #207 in La Habana, there are two other sites: Varadero (Ave. Playa #40) and the biggest of them all, located in Calle Real #74 in Trinidad.
There are also 10 other franchises around the world in places such as México (with 6 sites), Costa Rica, Argentina, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Ukraine.

La canchánchara is to Trinidad as the mojito is to La Bodeguita del Medio. Papa Hemingway made this water hole famous in La Habana and the mojito a drink recognized and enjoyed worldwide. 

Cuban poet, journalist and political activist Nicolás Guillén once wrote the following:
A la Bodeguita del Medio
Para Ángel Martínez
Fundador de la Bodeguita del Medio

​La Bodeguita es ya la bodegona,
que en triunfo al aire su estandarte agita,
mas sea bodegona o bodeguita
La Habana de ella con razón blasona.

Hártase bien allí quien bien abona
​plata, guano, carné, pastora, guita,
mas si no tiene un kilo y de hambre gruita,
no faltará cuidado a su persona.

La copa en alto, mientras Puebla entona
su canción, y Martínez precipita
marejadas de añejo, de otra zona

Brindo porque la historia se repita,
y porque lo que es ya la bodegona
nunca deje de ser La Bodeguita.

The birthplace of the «Mojito»: There are only 3 bars of «La Bodeguita del Medio» in all Cuba but the original one and smaller too is in La Habana (on a side street close to La Plaza de la Catedral); the other one is in Varadero. This one in Trinidad is more spacious and certainly well known for its mojitos too! Read more on my bio link: Destinations ➡️ Las Américas ➡️ Cuba

Una foto publicada por ريكاردو Calderón (@el_musafir) el 21 de Jul de 2016 a la(s) 3:38 PDT