Cuban Yaneisy Canta posted a video on TikTok about her visit with family to what she considers "the best hotel in Las Tunas." In the clip, she recounted: "We thought the entrance fee was 500 Cuban pesos per person, but it ended up being 2,000 pesos for each adult, and it only included a small plate of some crispy snacks with a few little things, and that was it, just that."
In the video, which shows images of the hotel and his family enjoying the place, @yaneisycanta_98 added: “We were 6 people and in the end, everything came to a total of 10,000 pesos for all of us, plus a few extra things I bought, and everything added up to 12,500 pesos.”
Despite the expense, he concluded with a positive reflection: “We had a nice time; at least the kids really enjoyed that outing. Folks, let me know in the comments if you would pay 10,000 pesos to visit this hotel, which is not a top-tier hotel, it's a three-star hotel.”
The video generated dozens of comments on TikTok. Some people criticized the hotel's appearance, including the pool. Yaneisy responded: “But it's the best option available right now here in Las Tunas.”
Other users pointed out that 10,000 pesos is enough for food for two weeks. Several residents abroad commented that it wasn't an expensive price when converted to dollars. In response, Yaneisy Canta clarified: "For a Cuban here, it's not cheap at all," and also stated: "I don't live in the United States."
In response to estimates about total spending, he stated: "That was the estimate. Thank you."
She also received messages of support. One user wrote to her that what matters is sharing with family, to which she replied: “That’s why I did it.”
Days earlier, Yaneisy Canta published another viral video. She showed what she could buy with 1,500 Cuban pesos, equivalent to the minimum pension on the island: a small bag of noodles and a bottle of oil. “That’s what a retiree earns in a month,” she explained. She then clarified that the meat she used to prepare a soup “she had already stored.”
“If it were up to the 1,500 pesos, the soup would come by itself and clear,” he said. He ended the video by stating, “Cubans are indeed suffering from hunger and need, especially our elderly. So, if you have the chance to help someone, do it.”
That testimony also generated numerous reactions.
Yaneisy's post adds to the experiences of Cubans in hotels. A young woman shared that, in a hotel in Varadero, she mistook eggplant for meat. Another showed a room with dirty towels and an empty minibar.
A young man in Havana described the Memories Miramar as “a ghost hotel”, almost empty on February 14th.
Tourism in crisis
Tourism in Cuba has lost over 300,000 visitors in five months, and hotel occupancy does not exceed 25%, according to official figures. Nevertheless, the government continues to invest in new hotel constructions.
Testimonials like this reflect the challenges many families face in accessing leisure moments. In a country with depressed wages, inflation, and increasing precariousness, spending a day in a hotel can become a difficult luxury to repeat.
"Tell me in the comments if you would pay 10,000 pesos to visit this hotel," sparked a debate about the real costs of domestic tourism in Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tourism in Cuba and its Economic Impact
How much does it really cost to stay at a three-star hotel in Cuba?
Visiting a three-star hotel in Cuba can be very expensive for local Cubans. For example, a stay at the cheapest hotel in Varadero, the Hotel Palma Real, costs around 16,500 Cuban pesos per night, which is equivalent to about 43 dollars. This price is out of reach for many, as the average monthly salary in Cuba is approximately 6,506.5 CUP, or about 17 dollars.
What is the economic impact of tourism on the daily lives of Cubans?
Tourism in Cuba represents a luxury that most Cubans cannot afford. The high costs of hotels and tourist services, in contrast to low wages and inflation, make these experiences inaccessible to the local population. This reflects a broader economic crisis, where even a day of leisure at a hotel is considered a difficult luxury to repeat.
How do the tourist experiences of Cubans abroad compare with those on the island?
The travel experiences of Cubans abroad tend to be more satisfying and accessible. For example, a Cuban woman living in Mexico enjoyed a vacation in a luxurious hotel for 8 thousand dollars, an amount that, while high, is offset by quality services and the freedom to enjoy. In contrast, the offerings in Cuba lack value due to high costs and limited quality.
What challenges do Cubans face when trying to enjoy local tourist services?
Cubans face various economic challenges when trying to enjoy local tourism. With depressed wages and rising inflation, the cost of a day in a hotel or a simple meal out can equal a month's salary or more. This severely limits the population's ability to enjoy leisure activities, sparking a debate about economic priorities on the island.
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