If Cuba is anything, it’s raw and unspoiled. At least for now, trails are less traveled and each day is another chance for adventure. That’s how we felt when hiking the waterfalls of Parque el Cubano. After research and talking to locals, we decided it was the perfect alternative to the more popular (and super strenuous) day trip from Trinidad, Cuba, Topes de Collante. My Cuban family had suggested this alternative and I’m happy we listened because Topes de Collantes would have been brutal as a day trip. However, El Cubano was challenging and exciting, leading to el Cubano waterfall, but also easily done in one afternoon. My kids LOVED it!
El Cubano
In planning our Cuba itinerary with kids, I kept day trips from Trinidad, Cuba unhurried and filled with family time. Instead of packing everything into one day, we explored the colorful plazas of Trinidad, Cuba for a few nights before indulging at a Cuban resort in Playa Ancon.
Check out our complete Authentic Cuba with Kids Guide!
Topes de Collantes or Parque el Cubano: Which Day Trip From Trinidad with Kids?
Topes de Collantes is amazing, no doubt about it, but when it came to planning a day trip from Trinidad with kids, it just didn’t check the boxes for an amazing family experience. And honestly, if we (meaning, the kids) don’t have a good time then what’s the point? Topes de Collantes is 25 miles away from Trinidad’s city center and the hikes are much longer to reach waterfalls and swimming holes….. we love chasing waterfalls, but 10+ miles on foot with young kids is not ideal.
Instead, I suggest you plan your Cuba itinerary like the locals do and actually stay a few nights in Topes de Collantes. We stayed at an all-inclusive on Playa Ancon (review coming soon) and would I definitely have rather stayed in the mountains instead. Next time for sure!
If all you have is a day, and especially if you have kids, ask around about Parque el Cubano instead. Its a super short drive from Trinidad and barely a 3 mile hike to an amazing watering hole. Below is our full experience!
How to Get to Parque el Cubano Trinidad Cuba
Cubatur and other tourism companies offer day trips from Trinidad to Parque el Cubano (as well as Topes de Collante), but when I sat down with one of the representatives she suggested we just hire our own taxi and gave us the going price. Sometimes the tours are a great option, but this day trip is so simple that I think hiring a private taxi has more benefits… like riding in a classic car and enjoying conversation with a real Cubano. If you speak Spanish, definitely bargain… but don’t if you do not, I’ve got you covered!
We paid $30 CUC for a taxi to take to the natural park and be there to pick us three hours later. Our driver also offered to arrange dinner at the ranchón (farm-style restaurant) that is onsite, but since we were not on a scheduled tour, there wasn’t enough food for all four of us to eat. My family reminds me that Cuba is “el pias de no hay” and that certainly held true in this case. No big deal though – it’s be expected here! If you do get a chance to eat here after your hike, I hear the restaurant is known for their catfish, caught fresh in the park.
I’ve also heard of people walking to El Cubano from Trinidad (approximately 10 miles/16km), but I wouldn’t do that with kids. If you’re interested, you would need to go west out of town on the Cienfuegos road and pass the ‘Welcome to Trinidad’ sign and cross a bridge over the Río Guaurabo. The trail on your left leads back under the bridge and up a narrow, poorly paved road to Parque el Cubano.
El Cubano Waterfall
Adventuring through a lush forest is pretty much any kids’ dream and the 2.25 hike down to El Cubano waterfall is one for the memory books! My kids had the time of their lives and still call this hike one of their favorite parts of our Cuba itinerary.
A word of caution though: the Huellas de la História trail has steep inclines, traversing through fast-moving streams and rocky stairs with a shaky railing. Do not be like us and wear sandals! We can usually take a 3-mile hike/walk without even thinking about it, but there is definitely some rock scrambling and climbing here. I felt like a crappy mom for letting my girl wear sandals. Ha! Wear appropriate shoes, bring plenty of water and don’t forget your swimsuit!
Our Cuba Itinerary with Kids
My parents left Cuba over 50 years ago, so being able to share this country with my own children has been such a life-affirming experience. Honestly…. I love this place so much and wanted to plan experiences in where my husband and kids would love it too. Our two-week itinerary was the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, cultural immersion and precious family time. Check out more of our family’s Cuba With Kids stories below. I hope you enjoy them!
Live Like Locals: Best of Havana with Kids (coming soon!)
Havana’s Callejon de Hamel: Explosion of Afro-Cubano Culture
Trinidad, Cuba with Kids: Color and Colonial History
Cuba All Inclusive in Playa Ancon, Trinidad (coming soon!)
