This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Trinidad.
Trinidad is a colonial city located in the Sancti Spiritus Province of Cuba. The historic center of Trinidad is the most popular and touristic area of the town, with many old buildings, cobbled roads, restaurants, live music, markets, churches, and plazas. If searching for accommodation in Trinidad, the historic center is the most desired location, as it is safe, and within walking distance to all the major sights, including the bus station.
Hostels in Trinidad -- or Cuba in general -- are not popular or well established. Most hostels in Trinidad are located in family homes, where the owners have converted a spare bedroom into a dorm room with five or six beds. All Cuban hostels and guesthouses (locally known as a casa de familiar or family home) are regulated by the government, which means that the hostel or casa owner is required to meet strict rules and maintain good standards. Most Trinidad hostels and casas are therefore clean; safe; and offer the basic amenities, such as hot water showers, air conditioning and/or fans, and communal areas such as dining rooms or sitting areas. The hostels and casas in Trinidad are run by local families that also live in the house. The families are usually more than happy to provide you with information about local activities in the area and usually offer recommendations for accommodation at your next destination. It’s worth noting that internet and Wi-Fi are luxury items and you are very unlikely to find a Trinidad hostel or casa -- or even a hotel -- that offers these facilities.
A traditional Cuban breakfast and/or dinner can be provided by your Trinidad hostel for an additional cost. The meals provided by the hostel or casa are usually freshly homemade by the owners, served at a time that suits you, and include generous portions of fruit (frutas), eggs (huevos), bread (pan), fresh juice (jugo) and coffee (café) for breakfast; chicken (pollo), rice (arroz), and vegetables (verduras) are common for dinner.
Written by local enthusiast for Trinidad hostels
Kelly Sheldrick
