Trinidad: beautiful and little-known

Almost three years ago, I traveled for the first time with my partner. We decided to treat ourselves to a getaway in the south. Not wanting to spend too much on our vacation and not knowing the difference between a 3-star and a 4-star hotel, we opted for a very inexpensive package at a 3-star hotel in Cuba.

The flight is on time and boarding is smooth. At 8 p.m. we land in Cienfuegos. Once through Cuban customs, we head to our bus, which takes us to our hotel, the Club Amigo Ancon, near Trinidad.

On day two of our trip, upon waking, we discovered the splendid view of the sea, and upon leaving our room, we gazed at the Escambray Mountains. After enjoying a substantial buffet breakfast, we explored the magnificent white sand beach and the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea (around 90°F). A stunning beach stretching as far as the eye could see, which we explored for several hours without ever reaching its end.

After resting from our full day of travel, on day 3 we took the bus at a cost of 2 CUC return to Trinidad, a journey of about twenty minutes.

Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This colonial city, with its Spanish influences, still bears the marks of the ^16th and ^17th- century Spanish presence in the old town, with its original cobblestones where high heels are not recommended. The colorful buildings and ornate wrought-iron gates evoke a sense of being in Europe, perhaps in small provincial towns in Spain or Italy.

Trinidad is an understated city that combines charm and beauty. It's definitely worth a visit. If you enjoy cultural visits, you'll find numerous museums offering diverse exhibitions of antique furniture and the city's history, from the conquistadors to the revolutionaries. Many art galleries are also located in the city, and it's possible to buy works directly from the artists, with whom you can discuss their techniques, inspirations, and daily life.

Once we'd finished shopping, it was time to relax a bit. We discovered a wonderful paladar (a privately owned restaurant belonging to Cubans, not the state) serving generous and flavorful dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. San José is ranked number one by travelers. The lobster there was delicious and cost only 9 CUC, including three side dishes.

After a good meal, we headed back to the hotel on the bus we waited for opposite the Casa del Habana Caracol. Since we were there, we took the opportunity to stock up on Cuban cigars, honey, and rum. Cuban honey is delicious and doesn't crystallize. It's reputed to be one of the best in the world. It's sold at a very low price: 2 CUC for a 250 ml jar.

Back at our hotel in the late afternoon, we put on our swimsuits for a swim in the calm, blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. We went to the dive center and made an appointment for the next morning.

The marine life we can examine up close is rich and diverse. We dive along a wall whose bottom we can't see, observing the corals. Schools of multicolored fish swim overhead. For snorkeling enthusiasts, there's an excursion costing 10 CUC that takes us aboard a sailing catamaran near the coral reef. We snorkel for about 30 minutes and then return to the beach. The instructors are very friendly and speak fluent English.

A final sunbath before dinner at the à la carte restaurant, a majestic sunset like a slideshow in a fan of colors from vermilion to indigo, unlike anything we'd ever seen (at least). We will never forget these sumptuous images, forever etched in our memories.

For your next vacation, if you want to see something new, consider visiting Trinidad; it has so much to offer curious travelers who want to wander through the real Cuba and share a little of the daily life of these warm and welcoming people.

Have a good trip!

Patricia