Cubana details the cost of her trip to Punta Cana to reunite with her husband

A Cuban woman residing in Matanzas has caused a stir on social media after sharing a video in which she details the cost of her trip from Cuba to the Dominican Republic to reunite with her husband, who lives in the United States.

Her testimony, published on her account @sheyreyes032, has generated hundreds of comments ranging from disbelief to direct criticism over the high cost of the trip.

"How much did it cost me to travel from Cuba to the Dominican Republic, specifically to Punta Cana? My husband, who is in the United States, handled the entire process with an agency, I had to apply for a visa at the Dominican embassy here in Cuba, the visa cost $140, and I had to go to Havana twice, so that was another $200 for transportation," the young woman explained in her video, which includes images of the hotel and snippets of the trip.

He reported that he flew directly from Havana to Punta Cana, and that they stayed at the Barceló Bávaro Palace hotel. “As you can see, the room is quite nice, it has all the amenities, and my favorite part was this jacuzzi that we loved, along with the beautiful view we had from our room.”

Regarding the costs, he specified: “The price depends on the number of people and the hotel they choose. It cost us $4,000, which included round-trip tickets for both of us and a week at the hotel, and of course, the transportation from the airport to the hotel.”

In the same video, he detailed additional expenses such as $10 per person to access the water park within the hotel, and $200 for a buggy excursion. Although they wanted to visit Saona Island, they decided against it because "the beach was not in the best condition due to a lot of seaweed."

"We paid $10 per person to go to this water park located at the hotel, and $200 for the buggy adventure. Out of all the excursions available, this was the one we liked the most," she added. She concluded by saying, "We loved this hotel, and the hospitality from the Dominicans was a 10 out of 10. The truth is that we had an amazing time. Let me know in the comments what you thought of the price."

Reactions to the video multiplied within just a few hours. Some users criticized the high cost of the travel package, comparing it to trips to destinations like Europe, while others defended the young woman's right to enjoy herself with her partner. There were also those who pointed out that tourists are often charged more for services and excursions within resorts, such as buggies or water parks.

Punta Cana has established itself as a key destination for the reunion of Cuban families separated by emigration. With direct flights from Havana, more accessible visas, and agencies specializing in facilitating procedures for residents on the island, thousands of people are choosing this tourist spot as a meeting point to embrace once again.

More than 43,000 people with Cuban passports visited the Dominican Republic in the first six months of 2025, and in June alone, over 19,500 residents of the island traveled to that Caribbean country. Many of these visits were motivated by the opportunity to reunite with family members living in the United States or other countries, thereby avoiding the costly and bureaucratic entry processes to Cuba.

The rise of these gatherings also responds to the current conditions of tourism in Cuba. The 25% drop in tourist arrivals and a hotel occupancy rate that barely exceeds 24% reflect a collapse of the sector marked by power outages, shortages, and a decline in services.

In contrast, the Dominican Republic offers more stable services, modern infrastructure, and a more favorable environment for those looking to spend a few days with their loved ones. Agencies like Yes Travel and Risa Travel have structured packages that include visa, flight, transportation, and accommodation in all-inclusive hotels, with prices ranging from $1,800 to $2,500 per person, depending on the destination, season, and type of room.

The experience of reunions in the Dominican Republic has also been documented by artists and public figures. In a recent video, Jean Michel, Maka, Coralita Veloz, and Tahimí Alvariño starred in an emotional farewell in Punta Cana after reuniting outside of Cuba. “It’s very tough, very sad that families are divided and that there is only one responsible party—the damn dictatorship,” the actor expressed in the video.

Additionally, more than 1,200 Cubans have obtained legal residency in the Dominican Republic this year, according to figures from the General Directorate of Migration. The Caribbean nation, sharing a common language, geographical proximity, and a more flexible immigration policy, is becoming a new space for transit, reunification, and in many cases, permanent settlement.

For Sheyla, her experience in Punta Cana was more than just a simple vacation. It represented a pause, a shared luxury, and an emotional respite. And for thousands of Cubans, destinations like this have become the only possible place to once again be a family, at least for a few days.

Frequently asked questions about Cuban travel to the Dominican Republic and the tourism context