A Panamanian tourist has sparked a wave of comments on social media after sharing on TikTok her experience upon arriving at the José Martí International Airport in Havana. In two short videos, @milagro_vr provided a negative assessment of the condition of the facilities and services, which led to hundreds of reactions, mostly criticisms of the Cuban regime and the situation in the country.
"It smelled bad and there was no paper": what he experienced at the airport
In the first video, the user describes her experience from the moment she arrived at the airport terminal. “First, let's talk about immigration; honestly, I would give it a 7 out of 10,” she begins. She then recounts that the airport bathrooms “smelled really bad and there was no toilet paper,” a common complaint among both Cuban and foreign travelers. She also criticized the delay in luggage delivery: “The bags took a long time, more than an hour.”
The young woman mentioned that the air conditioning in the food area barely worked and concluded with a phrase that summarizes her experience: “Well, that was my experience.”
"Everything looked precarious": her first impressions after leaving the airport
In a second video, @milagro_vr showed images recorded from outside the airport, where she observed "precarious types of transportation," an "open-air pataconcito," industrial structures that raised doubts ("fumarolas" and chimneys with fire), and unisex bathrooms, which she said she had never used before. She was also surprised by the number of signs and symbols related to the Cuban revolution.
"Very close to the airport, everything looked a bit precarious," he commented, accompanying his words with images of the public roads and vintage vehicles.
Reactions on social media: mockery, outrage, and validation
The videos amassed thousands of views and generated over a hundred comments, most of which were sarcastic or expressed outrage.
Some users questioned why he traveled to Cuba: "So why did you go then?", "Did you really think you were arriving in Dubai?" or "This is what you get for feeding the dictatorship." Others confirmed having had similar or worse experiences: "I was on the plane for an hour waiting for a bump on the runway.", "At that airport, they took a bottle of rum from me.", "I did go, and there wasn't even soap."
There were also those who defended their right to express their opinions and praised him for showcasing “real Cuba,” amid a heated debate about the country's situation.
It's not an isolated case
The experience shared by the Panamanian is not an isolated incident. Just a few weeks earlier, a Cuban woman posted a video from the same airport in which she showed dirty, poorly maintained restrooms, and criticized the staff's lack of professionalism. “We're still dealing with the same issues,” wrote TikToker Jessica Hernández, reigniting the debate over the quality of public services in Cuba.
This wave of testimonials has been joined by international influencers and YouTubers who have documented in video the real conditions of the island. The Spanish Juanjo Dalmau showcased in April the deterioration of homes, hospitals, and markets; the American Adventure Elliot described the situation as a “humanitarian crisis” and denounced the collapse of transportation, healthcare, and food supply. The Brazilian Armando Netto recounted his experience exchanging dollars in the informal market and buying food with insects. And the Spanish Judit Gómez warned about the most common scams targeting tourists in Havana.
Crisis in Cuban Tourism: Empty Hotels and a Poor Image
These testimonies occur in the context of a profound crisis in the Cuban tourism sector. According to official data from ONEI, hotel occupancy in the first quarter of 2025 barely reached 24.1%, while the number of tourists fell by 29.3% compared to the previous year. The Meliá hotel chain reported a 20.8% drop in revenue per room in Cuba.
Experts like economist Pedro Monreal point out that this collapse reflects a structural problem, fueled by the deterioration of services, a lack of supplies, limited air connectivity, and a growing perception of insecurity and dissatisfaction among visitors.
While the regime continues to invest resources in the construction of new hotel facilities, tourists keep documenting a reality on social media that is increasingly difficult to hide.
Frequently Asked Questions about José Martí International Airport and Tourism in Cuba
What problems do tourists face at Havana Airport?
Tourists face multiple issues at Havana Airport, such as poorly maintained restrooms without toilet paper, delays in luggage delivery, inadequate air conditioning in common areas, and poor organization in security checks, resulting in an unsatisfactory experience from the moment they arrive in the country.
How is the airport situation affecting tourism in Cuba?
The situation at the airport negatively impacts the image of tourism in Cuba, as visitors' testimonials about the poor conditions and services are spreading on social media, discouraging potential tourists from visiting the island and contributing to the decline in visitor numbers and hotel occupancy.
What do tourists say about their experiences in Cuba beyond the airport?
Tourists have shared experiences that reflect a contrasting reality in Cuba: hotels and tourist services for foreigners that offer comforts, while the local population faces shortages and deteriorating infrastructure. These testimonies highlight the inequalities and challenges that Cubans experience in their daily lives.
What has been the reaction of the Cuban authorities to the criticisms of the airport?
Until now, the Cuban authorities have not issued official statements regarding the criticisms and complaints from passengers about José Martí Airport. This lack of official response adds to travelers' frustration and reinforces the perception of state neglect.
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