When Eliza, a young Cuban woman, set foot in the Dominican Republic, she had no idea how profoundly her outlook on daily life would change. Through her TikTok account, @elizacubavlogs, she began to share the most striking aspects of her new environment, sparking not only hundreds of comments but also meaningful discussions about the cultural contrasts between the two nations.
In a video aptly titled “Things That Have Caught My Eye as a Cuban in the Dominican Republic,” Eliza first emphasized the warmth and solidarity of Dominicans. She noted, quite amazed, that the first question people ask isn't about how you're doing, but whether you've eaten, reflecting the deep-rooted hospitality she has encountered since her arrival.
She also praised public transportation, highlighting the metro and cable car systems in Santo Domingo as modern and efficient—a stark difference from Cuba's lack of such infrastructure. The sight of advertising screens lining the streets intrigued her, a sharp contrast to the political propaganda billboards she was used to back home. Eliza was equally struck by how easy it is to start a business in the Dominican Republic and the abundance of products available, from food to construction materials, a luxury scarcely found in Cuba.
Unexpected Discoveries in the Dominican Republic
In a subsequent video, Eliza continued to outline her surprises, mentioning the diverse range of modern vehicles compared to the vintage cars that dominate Cuban roads. She was surprised by the prevalence of lotteries, a business banned in Cuba since 1959, and was thrilled to experience 3D and 4D cinemas for the first time. The discovery of local convenience stores, known as colmados, was also a revelation for her. She concluded by marveling at the quality of the internet, humorously noting, “Here, videos upload at rocket speed.”
Viewers were quick to respond. Many Dominicans thanked her for highlighting the positive aspects of their country: “We may not be the best country in the world, but we are very human and empathetic”; “Everyone who visits the Dominican Republic falls in love with its people.” Other Cubans and international users shared their experiences, with one Cuban living in the Dominican Republic affirming, “There is a special connection between us.” A Venezuelan user corroborated her observations, saying, “I fully agree with your words.”
Some comments went deeper, like one user who lamented, “It's sad to see how getting something as simple as paint is a challenge in Cuba, but I'm glad you appreciate the good in the Dominican Republic.” Meanwhile, others joked about the Dominican hospitality, saying, “Here, if you refuse the food or coffee offered to you, you're in trouble. It's an insult to decline.”
With over 22,000 likes and thousands of comments, Eliza's videos have sparked a conversation about appreciating the everyday things we often take for granted. While some Dominicans admitted they don’t always appreciate their country until an outsider highlights it, Eliza is already planning a third installment to continue sharing her Cuban perspective on life in the Dominican Republic.
Cultural Differences Between Cuba and the Dominican Republic
What surprised Eliza about Dominican culture?
Eliza was surprised by the solidarity and hospitality of Dominicans, where people often ask if you've eaten rather than how you are doing.
How does public transportation in the Dominican Republic compare to Cuba?
Eliza found the public transportation in Santo Domingo, including the metro and cable car, to be modern and efficient, unlike the lack of such systems in Cuba.
What are some of the business opportunities Eliza noticed in the Dominican Republic?
Eliza was impressed by the ease of starting businesses and the wide availability of products, from food to construction materials, which are scarce in Cuba.