The viewpoint
Fields out to the mountains.
Martin Cígler — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Anagoria — CC BY 3.0 · Anagoria — CC BY 3.0 · Martin Cígler — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Martin Cígler — CC BY-SA 3.0
Valle de los Ingenios, the Valley of the Sugar Mills, is a series of three linked valleys, San Luis, Santa Rosa and Meyer, about 12 km from Trinidad. They were a centre of sugar production from the late 18th century until the late 19th. The area covers 270 square kilometres and holds the sites of over 70 former mills. At the industry's peak more than fifty mills ran in the three valleys, with over 30,000 enslaved people working in them and on the plantations around them. Trinidad's wealth came from their forced labour. UNESCO listed the valleys with the town in 1988 as a record of the sugar trade, so this is a place both lovely to look at and heavy with its story. From the viewpoint the valley runs before you in green and red fields out to the mountains. Its best-known landmark is the Manaca Iznaga tower, a tall tower of several storeys once used to watch over the plantations, with a yellow arcaded house beside it. Elsewhere stand abandoned mill owners' houses, with worn walls, stone yards and old wells. It is about 4 km from Trinidad in a straight line from the viewpoint, and you should take a car or guide, as the sites are spread out. A vintage tourist train once ran here, so check whether it still does. Wear a hat, as the fields are exposed. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Cuba because of fuel, power and water shortages, so read the current advice before you plan.
Fields out to the mountains.
Storeys above the fields.
Stone yards and wells.
East of Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus Province, Cuba
Usually yes, as the sites are spread out, and you can agree terms with a driver from Trinidad.
It was a sugar centre worked by over 30,000 enslaved people at its peak, so treat it with respect.