For those planning a vacation to Cuba, it's crucial to brace yourself for a range of daily challenges that plague both locals and tourists alike. Jesús de Cuba (@jesusdecuba), a well-known TikTok personality, recently shared his firsthand experiences of the harsh realities in Santiago de Cuba. His account, laced with irony and desperation, highlights the relentless power outages and severe water scarcity.
The shortage of water, oppressive heat, and lack of electricity are severe issues affecting numerous communities, impacting Cuban families and foreign visitors who come to see their loved ones. Jesús recounts how the government had assured that electricity would be stable during the months of July and August, encouraging Cubans living abroad to visit. However, these assurances turned out to be empty promises.
"Look at this, there's no electricity," he stated in his video, revealing the darkness surrounding him. "They tell people: 'Come to Cuba, you'll have guaranteed electricity'... yet here we are in October, and nothing has changed," he added, his frustration palpable.
The Harsh Reality of Daily Life
Power outages are just one of the many challenges Cubans face. Just weeks ago, Jesús reported a water shortage in his neighborhood, enduring up to seven days without this essential service. He had to use a cart to fetch water from a neighbor's cistern, just to fill a few containers for personal use.
Despite these adversities, Jesús emphasizes the cultural richness of Cuba and the warmth of its people, which he believes are the true draws for tourists. However, he questions how visitors can enjoy their stay when confronted with prolonged blackouts, food shortages, unsanitary conditions, mosquitoes, viral diseases, and a lack of potable water.
"Will a tourist want to walk the streets in this darkness... Look at this, it feels like a natural sauna," he quipped, referring to temperatures soaring up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit during extended outages.
Tourism Promotion vs. Reality
Despite the hardships faced by Cubans and international visitors alike, the regime continues to push tourism, investing its limited resources into the industry. However, these investments have yet to yield results, as tourist arrivals plummeted dramatically between January and July of 2024, underscoring the country's complex conditions.
While Cuba boasts remarkable natural beauty and cultural wealth, it remains ensnared in a crisis of energy, economy, infrastructure, and restricted freedoms, impacting its citizens. The growing poverty and food shortages exacerbate these daily struggles. Tourists unprepared for these harsh realities might find their vacation turning into a genuine ordeal.
Therefore, if you choose to vacation in Cuba, it's essential to stay informed, pack wisely with essentials like powdered milk, a few boxes of crackers, and a reliable flashlight in your luggage.