The Valle de los Ingenios, declared World Heritage since 1988, is located about 12 km outside of Trinidad and has been around since the 17th century.  This fertile agricultural land was cultivated and developed into one of the major sugar producing areas of Cuba, helping Trinidad to become one of the richest cities on the Caribbean island. At the top of the "Torre Manacas-Iznaga" (built at the beginning of the 19th century), you can get an overview of the valley. This 45 meter-high structure is equipped with a bell tower that was used to oversee the thousands of slaves working on the sugar plantations.

Although the city's cathedral was consecrated in 1892, the building took the better part of the 19th century to complete (it was built to replace the 17th-century church that was destroyed by a hurricane). The structure shows a neoclassic architectural style. Its interesting interior is replete with a dozen hardwood altars that date from the early 20th century and various colonial icons. Besides it preserves the famous Christ of Vera Cruz, and an altar – the only one of this kind in Cuba devoted to the Virgin of Mercy.

Located a block to the north of the Plaza Mayor in a former convent is the Museo Nacional de Lucha Contra Bandidos (National Museum of the Struggle against Counter-Revolutionaries). The museum exhibits documents the campaign to weed out rebels who hid in the Escambray mountains in the 1960s.

Canchánchara is one of the oldest buildings in Trinidad, and combined architectural styles from the 18th and 20th centuries. There's frequently a live band playing in the shady patio, and there are always plenty of soft drinks, cold beer, and such Cuban cocktails as the mojito and the local specialty canchánchara (rum, lime juice, and honey) that will give you the energy to dance and enjoy the Cuban rhythms found in the place.