A video published on TikTok by the Cuban content creators @kary_y_jony has once again highlighted the critical situation of tourism in Cuba. Filmed on June 26, 2025 in the heart of Varadero, the footage shows nearly empty streets in the island's main tourist hub, despite being in the peak of the summer season.
"We are walking down 59th Street and it's barely 11 in the morning," comments the video’s creator as she shows deserted sidewalks and little traffic. “We walked to the boulevard and didn't see a single foreign tourist; everything is empty,” she states. The route, which passes through areas near the Starfish Cuatro Palmas hotel and the Varadero boulevard, highlights the absence of international tourists in the area.
Although some users on social media argued that visitors might be found on the beach or relaxing in hotels, many others confirmed the sense of emptiness. “I just went, and there were at most 15 people in the hotel,” commented one user. Another added: “Varadero is no longer what it used to be, everything is expensive and lacking services.”
Reactions on social media: between resignation and criticism
The comments on the video reflect divided opinions. Some attribute the low influx of tourists on the streets to the off-season or the heat. Others point out structural problems: power outages, high prices, insecurity, urban decay, and poor conditions in hotels. “Cuba is very expensive and unsafe. The power goes out, there is no food or services,” wrote an internet user. Another was more blunt: “The hotels are empty. Nobody wants to visit your socialist paradise.”
No one failed to blame the country's poor image abroad or the lack of tourism incentives. “The Americans are canceling trips out of fear of blackouts,” noted one commentator. “The Cubans are wonderful, but the country is ruined by the dictatorship,” summarized another user.
A crisis confirmed by official figures
The recording arrives in the context of a sustained decline in international tourism in Cuba. According to data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), between January and April 2025, only 991,103 visitors arrived, a 27% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. The decline is even more pronounced among international tourists, who totaled only 741,106 in the first four months of the year.
The hotel occupancy fell to 24.1%, even in the quarter traditionally considered the strongest. Overnight stays decreased from over 5 million to just 3.6 million, and the sector's revenue dropped by 21.5%, impacting foreign chains such as Meliá, which has reported significant losses on the island.
The low quality of services, the scarcity of food, and the energy situation have led to cancellations of reservations. Experts like economist Pedro Monreal classify the issue as "structural" and warn about the disconnect between official policies and the profitability of the sector.
Not just Varadero: Havana is also deserted
Similar situations have been documented in other key tourist spots such as Havana. Recent videos show Obispo Street and the Chinatown virtually deserted, with tourist shops closed or without customers, even on weekends.
The crisis also affects the Varadero International Airport, whose entrance is completely dark, lacking lighting and road signage, according to complaints posted on social media.
Meanwhile, the Cuban government insists on its strategies for promotion and new hotel investments, without visible results. Everything suggests that, as happened in 2024, the island will fall short of its annual tourism target once again.
The video by @kary_y_jony thus adds to an expanding visual archive that documents the decline of the Cuban tourism sector, confirming that recovery, rather than solidifying, seems increasingly distant.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Tourism Crisis in Cuba
Why is there a decline in tourism in Varadero, Cuba?
The decline in tourism in Varadero is due to multiple structural factors, such as constant power outages, high prices, insecurity, urban decay, and poor hotel conditions. The lack of international tourists is evident in viral videos showing empty streets and hotels with low occupancy, which has created a negative perception of the destination abroad.
How does Cuba's economic crisis affect the tourism sector?
The economic crisis in Cuba has severely impacted the tourism sector due to the lack of basic services, such as electricity and food, and the poor quality of medical care for tourists. Despite investments in new hotel infrastructures, the disconnect between government policies and the needs of the sector has resulted in a decline in the arrival of visitors and in the revenue generated by tourism.
What is the current situation of tourism in Havana?
In Havana, the situation for tourism is similar to that of Varadero, with deserted streets and tourist sites. Videos shared on social media show closed businesses or those without customers, and a lack of economic activity in iconic locations. The tourism crisis in the Cuban capital reflects the overall decline of the sector in the country.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the tourism crisis?
The Cuban government continues to invest in the construction of new luxury hotels and the international promotion of tourism, despite the lack of tourists and criticism over investing in a declining sector. This strategy has been challenged for not addressing the structural problems affecting the country, such as the energy crisis, food shortages, and the deterioration of basic services.
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