Bars

The atmospheric Taberna La Canchánchara (Rubén Martínez, esq. Girón, tel. 041/99-6231, daily 8 a.m.–9 p.m.) is known for its house drink, made from aguardiente (raw rum), mineral water, honey, and lime (CUC2).

Cabarets and Discos

Local youth deliver their salsa moves at Disco Escalinata, to the rear of Casa de la Música (Juan Manuel Marquéz, e/ Bolívar y Menéndez, tel. 041/90-3414, CUC2), while music is also hosted on the steps northeast of Plaza Mayor.

For a uniquely memorable dancing experience, head to Disco Ayala (nightly 10:30 p.m.–2 a.m., CUC3 including one drink), in the caves immediately west of the Hotel Cubanacán Las Cuevas. Flashing lights amid the stalagmites and stalactites? Awesome!

The Hotel Cubanacán Las Cuevas (Calle General Lino Pérez final, tel. 041/99-6133) features a small cabaret nightly at 9:30 p.m. (CUC3).

Traditional Music and Dance

The Palenque de los Congos Reales (Echerrí #146, esq. Jesús Menéndez, CUC1) has an espectáculo afrocubano (daily 1:30 p.m.–midnight). It also hosts dance lessons.

Musicians drift in to jam and locals whisk tourists onto the dance floor at Casa de la Trova (Echerrí #29, tel. 041/99-6445, daily 10 a.m.–1 a.m., CUC1 after 8 p.m.), one block east of Plaza Mayor.

The Casa de la Cultura (Zerquera, esq. Ernest Valdes, tel. 041/99-4308, daily 8 a.m.–10 p.m., free) also hosts traditional music, as does Casa Fischer (Lino Pérez #312, e/ Codatia y Martí, tel. 041/99-6486, CUC0.50), which posts its weekly medley and hosts daily dance and drumming lessons (CUC5).

The ruins of Teatro Brunet (Maceo #461, e/ Bolívar y Zerquera, CUC2) have an espectáculo campesino (peasant show) on Wednesday. Teatro Brunet also hosts percussion and dance lessons (Mon.–Sat. 4–8 p.m.).

Festivals and Events

Trinidad has a tradition for madrugadas, early-morning performances of regional songs sung in the streets. Though rarely heard today, madrugadas highlight the town’s weeklong Semana de la Cultura in early January.

Every Easter during El Recorrido del Vía Crucis (The Way of the Cross), devout Catholics follow a route through the old city, stopping at 14 sites marked with crosses. The weeklong Festival de Semana Santa (Holy Week celebrations) features street processions.

For nine days during Christmas, Trinitarios enact Fiestas Navideñas, a street re-creation of Mary and Joseph’s journey by donkey. Each night the procession ends at a different house, with a fiesta for children.

© Christopher P. Baker from Moon Cuba, 5th Edition