A Mexican tourist shared on TikTok the experiences that he claims altered his "brain chemistry" during a trip to Cuba, and his post has gone viral, amassing an impressive 4.2 million views in just two months.
The list of bewildering situations includes a wide range of issues: from a five-star hotel with a broken elevator and missing plates to an ice cream parlor offering only one flavor and the lack of Coca Cola for sale. The post, made by user "Eisvin," also highlighted his confusion about not being able to download apps, having to stand on the bus to Varadero airport, and the pervasive political propaganda, such as signs reading "Socialism or Death" and "No One Gives Up Here."
Other elements that caught his attention were the Russian music and dances in hotels, as Russian tourists are the most frequent visitors, the high cost of a coconut at one dollar, and the inability to pay in Cuban pesos at the airport. On the positive side, he mentioned the beautiful beaches and sunsets.
In the comments section, other tourists identified with many of the experiences cited and added others, such as enduring blackouts and seeing lots of trash on the streets. "The phrase 'Socialism or Death' literally explains what life has been like in Cuba since 1959," one user wrote. "That's socialism for you, it destroys everything it touches," another chimed in. "This is communism and socialism. Thank you for sharing the reality of everyday Cubans," echoed a third.
Some residents of Venezuela said they could relate to many of these experiences, although some noted that Cuba seems even worse than their own country. Regarding Coca Cola, some argued that the popular American beverage can indeed be found in certain places on the island.
"The truth about my country; and that's without you even visiting the real Cuban neighborhoods... where there's no light, food, water, basically no life," a Cuban-origin citizen bitterly concluded.
Tourism in Crisis
Cuban tourism has not managed to recover post-pandemic, despite the government's claims that the sector is on the rise. At the end of April, the Minister of Tourism of Cuba announced that they had reached one million visitors in the first quarter and set a goal of three million for the year. By early July, the regime claimed that 1.8 million visitors had arrived between January and June. However, Havana has felt the crisis more acutely, as several airlines have cut flights, maintaining routes only to tourist destinations like Varadero and the Cayos.
One of the reasons for this decline is the poor quality of hotel services in the country, which has led to numerous complaints and even lawsuits in international courts. This year, a Russian blogger recounted her 16-day stay at the five-star Iberostar Laguna Azul hotel in Varadero, after which she decided she would not return to Cuba due to "the locals' indifference and lack of effort."
The government has had to acknowledge the problems in the tourism sector, such as insufficient air connectivity, unpaid suppliers disrupting the supply chain, difficulties accessing the international market, and a lack of staff to work in the facilities.
Common Questions About Traveling to Cuba
Given the recent viral TikTok post highlighting various issues faced by tourists in Cuba, many potential travelers have questions about what to expect. Here are some common questions and answers:
Is Coca Cola available in Cuba?
While Coca Cola is not widely available, it can be found in certain places on the island.
What are the common issues tourists face in Cuba?
Tourists often report problems such as poor hotel services, lack of app accessibility, political propaganda, and insufficient public transportation.
Has Cuban tourism recovered post-pandemic?
Despite government claims, Cuban tourism has not fully recovered, with issues in air connectivity and hotel service quality contributing to the decline.