Cuba Vacations - Spotlight On Cienfuegos And Trinidad

Away from the hustle and bustle of Havana and the All Inclusive Mega Resorts of Varadero, on the south coast of Cuba you'll discover the small Cities of Cienfuegos and Trinidad. Both are rich in history and beautiful architecture and have an essence of what traditional Cuba is.

CIENFUEGOS

Referred to as "The Pearl of the South" because of the impressive beauty and seductiveness, Cienfuegos is a city built on history and legends. An early mixture of Spanish, French settlers and indigenous people made for some visually stunning architecture and diverse cultures. Near the entrance to Bahia de Cienfuegos, is a fort dating back to 1745 to repel pirates eager to pillage sugar, coffee and tobacco. The downtown alone has over 330 buildings dating back to pre 1900 and over 1100 buildings from the 20th century. In fact, there is no other place in the Caribbean which contains such a remarkable cluster of neoclassical structures. Although not comparable to the spectacular beaches along the Northern Coast of Cuba, the beaches in Cienfuegos are overall decent and offer the usual selection of snorkeling, scuba, swimming with dolphins, and other watersports. There are many quaint and charming bars and restaurants in Cienfuegos in which to experience local food and drinks as well as spend your nights. Hotels in Cienfuegos range from rooms in the town to All Inclusive resorts but do tend to be more modest than you would find in the more popular resort destinations. Overall, Cienfuegos is a city that delivers Cuban charm the old way, and some incredible history and architecture. Taking a city tour is the best way to see it all.

TRINIDAD

Approximately 80 kms down the coast from Cienfuegos you will find a structural nirvana for photographers, history and architectural buffs. This small colonial city lined with cobblestone streets was declared a UNESCO heritage site because of its fascinating buildings dating from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. Trinidad is a city of many beautiful churches and museums showcasing architecture and artifacts from mid 1700's through to the days of the revolution. Founded in 1514, a visit to Trinidad is like a time warp to the past as it still has the flair and feel of centuries old Cuba. The main beach of Trinidad is Ancon and is located about 12 Km outside of town. Ancon beach is approximately 2.5 kms of white sand and clear blue-green water and features traditional watersports and some of the best scuba / snorkeling in the southern coast of Cuba. Dining and Nightlife in Trinidad is more of a low key traditional way. It's not uncommon to eat at a local's house or "Paladar" and nightlife consists of dropping in on a local bar and enjoying Cuban music and dance with the friendly locals. Albeit more friendly and intimate, if you are looking to dance the night away, you will have to go to one of the resorts in the area. Like Cienfuegos, Accommodation in Trinidad is fairly basic to standard yet the All Inclusive resorts do have the amenities to allow for modern day comfort. Visiting Trinidad is a definite for any visitor to Cuba and although it would be a shame to not spend a day here, it would be a bigger shame to visit and forget your camera.