Cuba Guide
Trinidad and Sancti Spíritus
Getting around
The historic centre of the city is Trinidad's main attraction, and it's here that you'll spend most of your time. In general, if you're walking on cobblestones you're in the UNESCO-protected part of the city, often referred to as the "casco histórico" (the old town), generally defined as the area marked by Antonio Maceo (more commonly known as Maceo), Lino Pérez, José Mendoza and the tip of the city. Though most of the official tourist spots are in the old town, beyond these streets there are a number of less fêted but equally historic and worthwhile buildings. Walking around the northern limits of Trinidad in particular, the absence of motor vehicles, the basic living conditions and the buzz of human activity lend the muddy streets a strong sense of the past, albeit a less pristinely packaged version than the one seen in the old town.
The only way to get about the old town is on foot, which can be quite tiring as it is built on a fairly steep incline. The logical place to get your bearings is the Plaza Mayor, a five-minute walk from all the best sights and numerous restaurants. Most visitors are unlikely to want or need to walk beyond the area enclosed by Parque Céspedes, two blocks south of the historic centre, and José Martí (almost always referred to simply as Martí) to the west. To the north, the city merges into the surrounding hills, offering easily manageable walks with captivating views across the rooftops and down to the coast.
Bicitaxis and Cubatur two-seater moped vehicles are available for areas where the streets are not cobbled. They congregate outside the Internet centre in Las Begonias café at Maceo esq. Simón Bolívar. The mopeds are also handy transport for the beach.