A Cuban resident on the island has sparked intense debate on social media after sharing a TikTok video showing how much she spent dining out in Cienfuegos for Valentine's Day. Her post highlights the difficult economic situation in the country and has elicited reactions of astonishment, criticism, and comparisons to other places around the world.
The content creator, known on TikTok as @yuyudecuba, shared her experience visiting a restaurant she used to frequent, where she noticed a decline in the quality of service and the variety of the menu. Despite this, she decided to have dinner there with her husband and her mother. They ordered rice with black beans, cucumber and cabbage salad, pork steak, yuca with garlic sauce, and spaghetti. Although she found the steak tasty, she did not enjoy the spaghetti, although her mother did. The total for the meal came to 4,350 Cuban pesos (CUP).
After lunch, they decided to go to an ice cream shop that, according to the TikToker, has more affordable prices and a varied menu. There, they ordered a flan with two scoops of ice cream and a Malta to drink. The snack cost them 1,890 CUP, bringing their total spending for the outing to 6,240 CUP.
The video generated strong reactions among TikTok users, who questioned the high cost of the outing and the quality of the food. Some comments criticized the elevated prices, pointing out that for that amount of money, one could make grocery purchases for several days or even months in other countries. Others felt that the food looked simple, with dishes similar to what one could prepare at home without significant expenses. Several users highlighted the lack of meat on the menu and commented that everything seems to be based on bologna and substitute products. There were also those who wondered how ice cream shops operate amid the constant blackouts on the island, to which the TikToker herself responded that they manage it with electric generators.
The video of the tiktoker adds to other recent complaints about the high cost of living on the island. Days ago, a Cuban woman in Matanzas showed on TikTok how little she was able to buy with 16,000 CUP, while Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa himself admitted that with a salary of 6,000 CUP "one cannot live" in Cuba due to inflation and the economic crisis.
The difficult economic situation in the country, exacerbated by product shortages and constant blackouts, has led to a growing wave of discontent on social media, where more and more Cubans are sharing their experiences and denouncing the problems they face in their daily lives.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cost of Living and the Economic Situation in Cuba
How much does it cost to eat out in Cuba?
Dining out in Cuba can be very expensive for local citizens, as evidenced by the case of a Cuban woman who spent 6,240 Cuban pesos during an outing in Cienfuegos. This expenditure includes both dinner at a restaurant and a snack at an ice cream shop, reflecting the high cost of living on the island.
How does the economic crisis affect Cubans in their daily lives?
The economic crisis in Cuba deeply affects the daily lives of Cubans, who face high costs of food and basic services, shortages of essential products, and frequent blackouts. These challenges have led many to share their experiences and difficulties on social media, generating growing discontent and debate about the situation in the country.
What impact do blackouts have on daily life in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba severely impact the quality of life, affecting the ability to cook, preserve food, and perform basic tasks. Families must resort to alternative methods such as charcoal stoves, which increases daily difficulties and generates feelings of frustration and exhaustion among residents.
How do the costs of living in Cuba compare with other countries?
The cost of living in Cuba is high compared to local incomes, making many products and services an unreachable luxury for most citizens. In contrast, in countries like the United States, although prices may be high, incomes allow for a better quality of life and access to basic goods and services.
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