A video shared on social media by users Mayra Domínguez on the X platform, and @vipreactionsclips on TikTok, has gone viral after featuring the statements of a couple of Spanish tourists who are protesting the unsanitary conditions at a hotel in Varadero, where they claim to have seen cockroaches in the buffet area.
The video segment does not include the identities of the whistleblowers nor specifies the exact date of their trip to Cuba, but their words have generated multiple reactions among users who claim to have had similar experiences both in Varadero and in other tourist destinations in the country.
"Perhaps the most negative aspect was the issue of cockroaches in the buffet, which are those little ones and we indeed saw them," says one of the testimonials.
"We have seen cockroaches everywhere in Cuba. In Havana, they were freely roaming around. There comes a point where you get used to it and stop seeing it as something so drastic," add the Spanish tourists.
In the same video, the couple also mentions a restaurant at the hotel in Varadero where they stayed. The establishment offered food 24 hours a day, but they could only order a club sandwich because "they had nothing" else to offer them. Upon opening the snack, they decided not to eat it due to the poor impression the product left on them.
“We didn’t want to get diarrhea on the first day”, they explained.
The video has been replicated with dozens of supportive comments and testimonials that agree on the lack of hygiene in hotels and restaurants in various tourist areas of Cuba.
So far, the name of the hotel in question has not been disclosed, nor has the full content of the viral video clip been verified independently.
Structural crisis of international tourism in Cuba exacerbates the decline in visitors
The international tourism crisis in Cuba has deepened in 2025, solidifying a downward trend that erases hopes of recovery. Between January and July, 1,577,330 travelers arrived, which represents a 17.2% decline compared to the same period in 2024, with 328,126 fewer visitors.
International tourists totaled 1,123,987, a decrease of 23.2% compared to the previous year. Russia, Germany, and Spain have recorded the most significant declines, while smaller increases in Argentina and Colombia do not offset the global drop.
The Cuban community abroad has also reduced its travel to the island, although it remains a key support for this industry. This summer, the regime imposed mandatory payment in foreign currency or international cards at GAESA hotels, ensuring that only Cubans with "foreign" relatives can pay in dollars.
The crisis in Cuban tourism continues to worsen. Hotels are empty due to their poor service, yet the regime persists in investing in infrastructure, denying its management failures and squandering the little money left in the state treasury, despite criticism over the scarcity of resources in essential sectors like health and food.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tourism in Cuba and Its Challenges
Why are tourists reporting poor conditions in hotels in Cuba?
Tourists have reported the presence of cockroaches, poor hygiene, and lack of maintenance in hotels in Cuba. These issues, along with food shortages and inadequate customer service, have negatively impacted Cuba's image as a tourist destination.
What impact has the tourism crisis had on Cuba?
The tourism crisis in Cuba has caused a dramatic reduction in the arrival of international visitors, severely impacting the local economy. Hotel occupancy has fallen to historic lows, and key sectors like health and food are also in crisis due to a lack of resources.
How have Cubans reacted to the decline in tourism?
Cubans have expressed their frustration and discontent on social media, pointing out that the lack of infrastructure and adequate services, as well as the precarious living conditions, are factors that deter tourists. They also criticize government investments in tourism while other essential sectors lack support.
Why do investments in tourist infrastructure in Cuba continue?
Despite the decline in tourism, the Cuban government continues to bet on the construction of new hotels, believing that tourism will be the driving force of the Cuban economy. However, this strategy has been criticized for its disconnection from the economic and social realities of the country.
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