The Carnival of Santiago de Cuba, which officially kicked off this Thursday and will continue until Saturday, is one of the most important and eagerly anticipated events in the country. However, with beer priced at 240 pesos, a pork sandwich at 200 pesos, and pizza at 120 pesos, many will find themselves excluded from enjoying the so-called "Rumbón Mayor" due to the exorbitant costs.
A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told CiberCuba that with his professional salary (around 7,000 pesos), after purchasing some food, he is left with about 1,500 pesos at the end of the month, barely enough to enjoy a single day of the carnival.
"I've already done the math. My wife and I will go out for one day, have a couple of beers each, eat 'something,' walk around for a bit, and then head home," said the individual, who works as an economist for a company. He sent a gallery of images showing that beer prices range between 200 and 240 pesos, fried chicken costs 400 pesos, malt beverages are 300 pesos, canned juices are around 250 pesos, cheese pizzas are 120 pesos, while the traditional pork sandwich (pan con lechón) costs 200 pesos, although he noted that the latter can also be priced at 250 pesos.
The young man mentioned that he strolled this Thursday along Céspedes Avenue, in the carnival area of Sueño, and found it normal to see plenty of food and drink, but very few people consuming them.
"In recent years, it's been like this: traditionally, more people celebrate at night, but during the day, there are usually people consuming. However, we are barely surviving, and the thought of eating or drinking is out of the question. Of course, some can afford it, but for those of us living on a salary, we can only go out for one day," he noted.
The so-called Rumbón Mayor, considered the largest popular festival in Santiago de Cuba, is being celebrated this year amidst rampant inflation, a city plagued by various diseases, and constant power outages that offer no respite.
However, for several years, the local government has left the sale of food and drinks in private hands, resulting in prices far beyond the reach of the "average Cuban."
In 2023, young Yasmani Castro Caballero criticized the carnival prices in Santiago de Cuba on Facebook, where a pork sandwich was sold for 100 pesos and a beer for 250 at that time; "like we were in Dubai," he joked.
Pizza cost 80 pesos, noted Castro, who confessed to being excited while strolling along the central Céspedes Avenue, seeing a variety of offerings until he encountered the prices and felt like he was walking through the wealthy emirate of Dubai.
"Céspedes Avenue was empty compared to other years. Most of the kiosks were private, with no uniformity in prices, and not far away were the state entities whose products were not very affordable for the general population," lamented another Cuban on social media.
Félix Font described the 2023 Santiago Carnival as "the worst in history," criticizing not only the high prices of the food offerings but also the poor organization of the festivities.
FAQs About the Santiago de Cuba Carnival Prices
With the rising costs of attending the Santiago de Cuba Carnival, many questions have arisen. Here, we address some of the most frequently asked questions to help clarify the situation.
Why are prices so high at the Santiago de Cuba Carnival?
Prices have surged due to rampant inflation and the privatization of food and drink sales, which has placed costs beyond the reach of the average Cuban.
What are some of the current prices of food and drinks at the carnival?
Currently, a beer costs between 200 and 240 pesos, a pork sandwich is 200 pesos, a pizza is 120 pesos, fried chicken is 400 pesos, malt beverages are 300 pesos, and canned juices are 250 pesos.
How have locals reacted to these price increases?
Locals have expressed frustration and disappointment, noting that the high prices make it difficult for those living on a salary to fully enjoy the festivities.