We took a sailing boat out from Ancon Marina, just outside Trinidad, skippered by two of the most friendly locals we met during our stay in Cuba. Noberto and Benito have been operating dive and snorkel charters from Ancon Marina for over ten years, so you are in safe hands with them. The boats are very new and well looked after with room enough for 12 people on each.

A two hour trip takes you out to Cayo Blanco, a tiny island covered in scrub and coral which you will have more or less to yourself – though you will have to share it with the iguanas! The island is uninhabited, though there is an outdoor restaurant. You will get a slap-up lobster, chicken and salad buffet (all food and drink is included in cost of the trip) – generous tips are a must as they don’t get paid much by the government!

After letting your dinner go down with a 30 minute walk around the island, grab your snorkelling gear and swim out to the reef. With a shallow bottom, you can really appreciate the numerous tropical fish species, black coral, sponges, turtles and shellfish. I was followed around by a large barracuda, but managed to shake him off by swimming in close to the beach. There is also a wreck that attracts lots of fish. Noberto will point you in the direction of the best places to snorkel.

We loved this trip so much we booked it again the next day, and having made friends with the skippers, they let us helm the boat and showed us how to put up the sails. A fantastic end to our trip in Cuba – we didn’t want to go home!

Book this trip directly with the tourist information office in Trinidad. Ancon Marina is 12km from Trinidad (15/20 mins by taxi/car). Ancon Marina also offers mooring services, deep-sea fishing, and access to some 30 diving and snorkelling sites.

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A very long stretch of pure white sand and sparkling, azure sea make this beach a great place to relax while in Trinidad. Being fairly flat, the tide hardly goes in and out, so there is never a walk of more than a few paces from your towel to the sea. The sea is very calm – few or no waves, and very safe for kids as you have to wade out quite a way to get out of your depth – there are also lifeguards on the beach. You can rent paddle boats and canoes from Hotel Ancon.

There are only three or four hotels sharing the beach – and these are very spaced out, so you can find a spot to yourself quite easily. If you walk down to the bottom end of the beach there are very few people around – this is the where the locals come for their days out.
Note – there are no general facilities at this beach and all the hotels are inclusive, though it is easy to get talking to the beach guards, who will let you use their loungers for the day and fetch you drinks from the bar for a small fee (negotiate down from their first offer!). One of the hotels will let you eat from their lunch buffet, depending on which guard you ask. One of the hotels also has a shop, though it sells little more than ice-cream, crisps, biscuits and drinks.

Get a taxi from the centre of town, or wait for the beach bus which goes backwards and forwards several times a day (though not to a specific timetable!). There are always plenty of taxis waiting at the beach to take you back to town at the end of the day.

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Staying at Casa Antigua gives you first-hand experience of how the Cubans live. Horatio and Marta run their “casa particular” (the Cuban version of a B&B) with a great deal of pride. They have managed to restore their 1940s villa, replacing once-lost original features, and have rescued their family's antique furniture to create a fascinating environment for their guests. With limited resources, they offer a warm welcome, good breakfast and tips and ideas for how to make the most of your stay in Cuba. Speaking excellent English, they are happy to talk about the history and politics of Cuba as well as recommending the best bars, restaurants and things to do in and around Havana. To get the best out of Cuba, stay with a family - it's an experience you'll never forget and much cheaper than staying in impersonal hotels.

The casa is in the district of Vedado, Havana;
www.casantigua.justincuba.com/casaen/

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Rogelio and his wife are the warm and friendly hosts of this beautiful, colonial casa particular (B&B). Right in the centre of Trinidad old town, this 18th century house is filled with antiques and original features. Huge iron beds, original wooden floors and tall windows make it a truly romantic place to stay. From the roof terrace you can enjoy beautiful views over the rooftops and up to the mountains while watching the sun setting at an amazing speed over the horizon. Just 20 minutes by car or taxi to a palm-fringed, white sand beach, on one side of town and the jungle-covered mountains on the other, this casa is perfectly placed for exploring the best Trinidad has to offer. Book in advance as this place is very popular!

Simon Bolivar #312, Trinidad;
www.cuba-junky.com/sancti-spiritus/casa-rogelio.htm

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