A Mexican tourist visiting Cuba shared her experience on her TikTok account, describing moments that, according to her, "altered the chemistry of her brain."
The young woman, named Cristi, posted several photos detailing her time on the island, where she had such intense experiences that at one point, she locked herself in her room for an entire day, crying because she wanted to return to Mexico. Unfortunately, her flight was scheduled for two days later.
In her post, Cristi was shocked by the limited menus at restaurants, noting, "they can only serve you what they have once due to the food shortages." She also mentioned hearing stories from Cubans "who dream of leaving their country one day, but it's impossible for them to get a passport."
Cristi recounted a moment when she ran out of the dollars she had brought with her, and no one would accept the local currency or her cards. To make matters worse, the ATMs were out of cash.
Issues with Internet access also affected her, leaving her disconnected as she didn't have a SIM card for her phone, and the local telecom company refused to sell her one. "I needed to send my work, but I couldn't connect to the Internet at the place I was staying due to shortages and overload. The only spot with a bit of Wi-Fi was the floor with the reception, but even that didn't work," she lamented.
The tourist visited Varadero, which she found "incredible," but she realized that only tourists are treated well, and locals are not allowed to mingle with them. "Too much discrimination," she regretted.
Witnessing the level of scarcity, Cristi gave away items like soap, creams, and deodorant, but she left thinking she could have done more. "Despite the lack of resources, the people are happy, which left me with a lot to reflect on. We have everything and still complain; we should be more grateful," she concluded.
Understanding the Challenges Faced by Tourists in Cuba
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the difficulties experienced by tourists in Cuba, based on Cristi's account.
What are the main issues tourists face in Cuba?
Tourists often face limited food options at restaurants due to food shortages, difficulties with local currency and ATMs, and issues with Internet access.
How do Cubans view the possibility of leaving their country?
Many Cubans dream of leaving their country but find it nearly impossible to obtain a passport.
What are the challenges with Internet access for tourists in Cuba?
Tourists often struggle with Internet access due to shortages and overloaded networks. Local telecom companies may also refuse to sell them SIM cards.