Back in the day Trinidad was brutal during the day. Tourists swarming the area around the main plaza and lots of locals using various methods to relieve them of cash. At night it was much more relaxed and very pleasent. I'm sure it's a lot quieter these days.

It's funny how things change. The first time that I visited Trinidad was almost 20 years ago - I did that with my then second Canadian wife at the time in a former life. We did that in late September and it was super quiet there in Trinidad, even in the middle of the afternoons - very few other tourists milling about in the main plaza square and elsewhere. It was so quiet in fact that when we went into an outdoor bar very close to the main plaza that had grapevines growing overhead of the courtyard for shade cover, it was just the 2 of us in that place alone... well, and the young super cute Cuban barmaid who sat down with us to talk and kept grabbing my inner thigh under the table too. I think that's when I completely fell in love with Cuba. Terry

A new Havana Times article featuring my home away from home - Camagüey city - complete with some photos. Makes me home sick. I miss it terribly. Terry

https://havanatimes.org/photo-featur...comment-334274

I thought that Trinidad was busy too. We went during the winter season and stayed atvthe bulky Ancon hotel. The city is not big but fun enough. It is number 4 on mu list.

Nice photos of Camaguey
R the santa Lucia beach resorts even operating? Which airport would be for them if there are no Canadian flights to Camaguey?

Dale, for stays at the resorts on Playa Santa Lucia, you would need to book through HolaSun and then fly into Cayo Coco to take the 3.5 hour transfer bus from the airport to get there. Apparently all of the resorts on Playa Santa Lucia are open. I've stayed at all of them before in the past. The Brisas is our favourite. The worst? Hotel Tararaco... followed closely by the Mayanabo. But we don't stay at the resorts at Playa Santa Lucia anymore... although we do occasionally take a taxi to get out there from Camaguey city just to use the beach and eat at the cozy Luna Mar restaurant right on the beachfront, or go onward down the dirt road to La Boca to both eat and drink at the Bucanero restaurant right on the water too. If we go to a resort now, we go to Cayo Cruz and stay at the 5 star Iberostar Selection Esmerelda resort to hang with all of the Russians staying there. jaja It's not difficult for us to make friends with anyone no matter where we are though - just add rum and stir! Pero! Nyet! Nyet! Soviet! Y nyet Putin tambien! Terry

Why would anybody go all to Santa Lucia from cayo Coco airport 3.5 hours when there are resorts right in Cayo coco by the airport?? The bus ride can be fun but not 3.5 hours!!

I have been to 3 of the 4 biggest cities in Cuba. Just not Camaguey. Good thread!!!

HA! I agree with you, Dale! But it's still 3.5 hours for me to get from the Cayo Coco airport all the way to Camaguey city too, but via my wife's hired taxi that costs me $200 USD - each way! Brutal! At least the transfer bus is included, and beers on the bus quicken the pace. My Cuban best friend is also in the taxi with my wife when they come to the airport to collect me... and always with a cooler full of cans of cerveza on ice on board as well. The beers seems to always make that 3.5 hours go by quicker! My first fiesta in Cuba starts in that carro! Of course our driver stays dry the whole way, but he's good with the jokes too just the same. Terry

Well, I have another Havana trip coming up and you know that Havana is like a bunch of small cities rolled into one. This time I hope to discover more about the city other than Centro, Vedado, Old Havana, the eastern beaches and across the harbour.

Yeah Havana is my #1 alright and so much of it I am looking forward to getting more familiar with.

Speaking of different parts of Havana, have you ever visited Fusterlandia? It’s a Havana neighbourhood along the coast full of mosaic art. We quite enjoyed it and have a couple of painted tiles at home that we bought from there.

A link would help…

FUSTERLANDIA

I have always meant to visit Fusterlandia but in all the time I have spent in Havana over the years, I ashamedly admit that I have never been there but have it on my list of things to do in Havana next month.
I had been in Barcelona earlier this year and enjoyed the Gaudi stuff.
Thanks for the reminder and great link.

Fusterlandia looks so cool!!! On the map it does not seem too far from old Havana. Whenever our next trip to Havana it is in the list.