Trinidad, Cuba: Safe Place For A Family Trip to Cuba

This colorful world of colonial history is unique to the central coast of Cuba, and traveling here with kids is always a good idea. Cuba with kids can be stressful due to their lack of (um) everything, but if you stay in the tourist-heavy areas, the kids will be okay. I’m just saying – after going totally off the beaten path and needing a hospital for my son (YES! More on that later…), I became less judgemental about going to “where all the tourists go”. Is this Cuba destination on the “gringo trail”? Yes. Is Trinidad Cuba with kids a good idea anyway? Always!

Trinidad Cuba with Kids

Trinidad, Cuba is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and according to their blog,

“Trinidad, located in the central Cuban province of Sancti Spíritus, was founded in the early 16th century but owes its existence and its historical sugar industry that flourished there and in the nearby Valley de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) from the late 18th century to the late 19th century.”

The colonial history is densely rich in this small town, and since it is super tourist-friendly you can feel safe and secure for the unexpected that often arises with little ones. We stayed for 4 nights before heading down to Playa Ancon for a few more nights, but most itineraries would be fine with just 2 or 3 nights in Trinidad, Cuba.

Click here for our complete Cuba With Kids Guide!

Where to stay in Trinidad, Cuba With Kids

On our first visit to Trinidad, we stayed in Las Cuevas, a Cuban all-inclusive resort ran by the government perched high on a hill above the town with a massive wall around the property and an imposing guard standing ready to throw out any local that even glanced in their direction. The property has the best views and the sunset is stunning. It’s an all-inclusive with the typical buffets and cheesy entertainment. Everyone there is a tourist. Cubans are not allowed to even step foot on the property, let alone make a reservation, and I had a horrible experience with the management.

DO NOT STAY THERE!

Casa Particulares in Cuba

We can disagree, I’m cool with that. But I’ll go out on the limb and say you are doing yourself (and your kids) a disservice by staying in a resort in Trinidad. The sunset view is nice, but the true jewel is down below in the town and its people. Stay there instead.

We stayed in a 200-year-old casa particular with Alejandro and his mother who shared the incredible history of their home with us. (She was born INSIDE the house!) This Trinidad Cuba Air BnB was spectacular, but we toured others who were equally as friendly and clean and affordable. Staying in a casa particular is one way to offer support for the Cuban people.

Our host allowed our daughter to play Christmas tunes on her piano, telling us stories of what Cuba was like after the years my grandparents left, sharing bits of historical knowledge that my kids would have never learned staying on a far awhile hill of privilege. Check out these photos of our Cuban breakfast that came included with our AirBnb! Those moments were among my favorite on this trip.

All of this was not lost on me as I tucked my black children into bed in a 200-year-old, colonial house. Travel is such a magical, life-affirming experience! 

Cuba Trinidad

Things to do in Trinidad, Cuba

Trinidad is a colorful, colonial town that is now rooted in the tourism business. While many consider this a negative, Cuba safety for tourists is of high priority in Trinidad. This is a consideration when planning a family trip to Cuba. This list of things to do in Trinidad, Cuba was done with two kids in tow. We felt completely safe, at all hours of the day, without a tour guide.

Plaza Mayor

The center of the town is called Plaza Mayor. There are several museums and churches to tour, the Museum of Colonial Architecture being our favorite. No need to plan ahead of time or 

We spent a lot of time here to enjoy live musicians, take photos and chat with people. By slowing down and hanging out in various plazas, we were able to connect with locals and let the kids play soccer with new friends. We ate so much fruit and took photos as this roadside Cuban Fruit Stand with the sunlight beaming down on us. It was magical.

Parque del Cubano

Exploring this Cuban waterfall with kids is super easy. We did El Parque del Cubano instead of the popular Topes de Collantes because of less travel time, less strenuous hike for the younger kids and an awesome waterfall at the end! Check out our guide to Parque el Cubano.

El Valle de los Ingenios

Another option for getting kids out of the city is located just outside of Trinidad: The Valley of the Sugar Mills. It was considered the center of the sugar and slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. After Cuba abolished slavery in 1886, the sugar trade faltered, as well as the local economy, but the views and history are worth exploring. Like Trinidad, El Valle de los Ingenios is a UNESCO Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination.

Playa Ancon

Playa Ancon is a popular day trip from Trinidad. Only 7 miles from the city center, you can also opt to rent bikes and ride down to the beach and hire a car to drive you back. There are places to buy meals and drinks by the beach, but bring water for kids anyway. Instead of a day trip, we opted for a 3-night stay at a Cuban all-inclusive right on the beach. It wasn’t fantastic or worth the cost. That blog posts coming soon.

What to do in Trinidad Cuba

 

 

Shopping in Cuba

Buying souvenirs in Cuba is an art form in and of itself. There is plenty to buy, but most of manufactured just for tourist consumption. However, two items on my radar to buy in Trinidad, Cuba were: ceramics and art.

Many of the ceramic you can buy around Trinidad is produced by the Santander family, whose history in this art form goes back generations. We visited their small factory, El Alfarero Casa Chichi, and it was so fun to learn about their process and history. They even have one of the oldest cars on this island parked in their garage. We bought several pieces to adorn our walls and as gifts for family back home. This is how to find the ceramic studio yourself (without a tour guide):

Ceramics in Trinidad

El Alfarero Casa Chichi

Andrés Berro 51 – tel. 41/99-3146

between Abel Santamaría and Pepito Tey

The studio is open most days and is on the edge of town. And if you’re up for some chisme, rumor has it that some family drama meant the brother opened a competing pottery house right next door!

Art in Trinidad

Walk the streets of Trinidad and you’ll also notice art houses dotting the calles. This is a great place to buy your Cuban art pieces, though many are mass-produced. Even still, you can find legitimate art studios to support.

I spotted a series of portraits that I fell in love with but walked away, only to return at 7am on the Sunday of our departure. I banged on the door until the artist (who lived upstairs) unlocked the gallery and sold me the 3 paintings! It was embarrassing but now my walls remind us of our time in Trinidad.

Fun Things to do in Trinidad

Where to go at night in Trinidad, Cuba

You can find local bars and clubs in Trinidad, but you’ll likely not be visiting those with kids in tow. Regardless, the best place to start a fun night in Trinidad – with or without kids – is definitely at Plaza Mayor. There’s a stage up the cobblestone staircase that showcases live music and dancers. You won’t miss it! Sure, it’s touristy but the music is great and families can dance the night away. We had a great time.

You won’t find the Iglesia de Dios del Evangelio Completo on many tourist blogs, but it’s the place to be if you’re in Trinidad with kids. Spend the hour or so before sunset and until dusk has fallen by the church. Kids play after school until it gets dark with make-shift kites and soccer balls. The energy is alive and exciting, perfect for kids! Bring a soccer ball and your kids will make instant friends! As soon as it gets dark though, all the Cuban kids go home.

Is it Safe to Travel to Trinidad? Yes!

Why Moms Will Love Trinidad

In relation to Havana, Trinidad is much easier to explore with kids. It’s clean and slow yet tourism is a major part of the local economy, so Trinidad offers many of the same convenience a tourist would find in Habana Vieja.

The town is safe and I felt comfortable walking around the inner streets with my kids at night. I also loved that Cuban kids were everywhere. My kids could see other children living their lives: kids playing with their dogs, running errands for their mom, getting out of school or just sharing candy with a friend.

Check out the rest of our Cuban trip posts, like our days in Vinales, Cuba or learning about Afro-Cuban Culture at Callejon de Hamel. Or refer back to our Authentic Cuba with Kids Guide for all the latest updates.