Brazilian influencer Armando Netto, boasting over 755,000 Instagram followers, recently shared his viral experience during a trip to Cuba. His visit coincided with a widespread blackout that plunged most of the island into darkness in mid-March.
Netto had initially secured an Airbnb in Old Havana, but upon arrival, he discovered the absence of electricity. Attempting to explore the city with his companion, he was met with another hurdle: his bank cards were unusable due to non-functioning card readers, a result of the power outage.
Returning to the rented apartment, the power situation remained unchanged. “There was still no electricity,” he recounted. After enduring hours without essential services, Netto decided to leave. “Surviving in that Airbnb was impossible,” he asserted.
In search of alternatives, Netto visited several hotels, including the Tower K-23, before ultimately settling at the Iberostar Grand Packard, a five-star hotel in the heart of Havana. From the hotel's pool terrace, he observed a city shrouded in darkness. “The reality for tourists in Cuba is different. Luxury hotels are available, indeed. Once inside, it doesn’t even feel like Cuba. When they want, this government knows how to do things right,” he remarked in one of his social media videos.
During his initial 48 hours in Cuba, Netto struggled to withdraw cash as ATMs were inoperative and payment terminals were down. It was at the Packard where he finally succeeded in accessing cash with his credit card. “I was starving,” confessed the influencer, who eventually satisfied his hunger at the hotel's abundant buffet, a stark contrast to the shortages he observed in Havana’s markets.
His experience sparked hundreds of comments online, highlighting yet again the stark disparity between the luxury afforded to tourists and the everyday struggles faced by Cubans with inadequate public services.
Understanding the Tourist Experience in Cuba
Why did Armando Netto choose a luxury hotel over an Airbnb?
Armando Netto opted for a luxury hotel after experiencing a lack of electricity and essential services at his Airbnb during a widespread blackout in Cuba.
How did the blackout affect tourists in Cuba?
The blackout in Cuba left tourists like Armando Netto struggling with non-functional card readers and ATMs, making it difficult to access cash and pay for services.
What did Armando Netto observe from the hotel?
From the hotel’s pool terrace, Netto observed a Havana in darkness, contrasting the luxury within the hotel to the city’s power outage.