The quaint village of Iznaga is a picture-perfect gem with a prim little railway station. The village, 14 kilometers east of Trinidad, is most famous for Hacienda Iznaga (tel. 041/99-7241, daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.), built 1835–1845 by Alejo María del Carmen e Iznaga, once one of the wealthiest sugar planters in Cuba.

The hacienda features a 43.5-meter-tall tower that according to legend was built as a wager. Alejo was to build a tower while his brother Pedro dug a well. The winner would be whoever went highest or deepest (no well has been found). It has seven levels, each smaller than the one beneath. You can ascend the 136 steps (CUC1).

The hacienda is now a restaurant. Lacework, a local specialty, is sold.

You can ride horses at Casa Guachinango (no tel., daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.), three kilometers north of Iznaga; a one-hour ride leads to mineral springs good for bathing. This 200-year-old hacienda-turned-restaurant boasts a beautiful setting above the Río Ay. You can also milk cows and be shown how to extract honey from beehives. Lunches are served.