"This is the first thing you need to buy": Cuban shows her trick for bringing frozen goods to Cuba

A Cuban woman in the U.S. teaches on TikTok how to take frozen goods to Cuba using a $34 thermal backpack from Walmart. She recommends avoiding products with bones and emphasizes the capacity of the backpack.

Cuban in the USAPhoto © @saylin4020 / TikTok

A Cuban resident in the United States shared on TikTok her method for transporting frozen food to Cuba without it thawing during the long journey to the island.

In the video shared by the user @saylin4020, the young woman explains that she uses a thermal backpack purchased at Walmart, costing around 34 dollars, to transport items such as cheese, ham, ground beef, and picanha.

"The first thing I recommend if you want to bring frozen items... I carried the cheeses on top, and the meat first, making sure there were no bones. This backpack is from Walmart, it costs about 34 dollars. I left my house around six in the morning and arrived at my home in Cuba around eight in the evening, and the meat arrived frozen," the young woman explained in the video.

The Cuban woman recommended avoiding products with bones and assured that the backpack has enough capacity to hold a large amount of food. "This is the best, it was the one I used, and it's the first thing you need to buy if you want to carry them frozen," she added.

The video has sparked the interest of other Cubans living abroad, who often bring food to their families due to the scarcity of basic products on the island. Many users expressed their gratitude for the advice and inquired about the dimensions and durability of the thermal backpack.

Transporting frozen food on flights to Cuba has become a common practice among travelers, especially from the United States, where many Cubans take advantage of their visits to bring supplies that are scarce in the country.

Frequently asked questions about bringing frozen food to Cuba

What is the best way to bring frozen food to Cuba?

The best way to transport frozen food to Cuba is by using a thermal backpack. A Cuban on TikTok recommends a backpack purchased at Walmart for about 34 dollars, which keeps the food frozen throughout the journey. It is important to avoid products with bones and to ensure that the backpack has enough capacity for the amount of food you wish to transport.

What types of food are recommended to bring to Cuba from abroad?

It is advisable to bring non-perishable and vacuum-sealed foods, such as cheese, ham, minced meat, picanha, and croquettes, as these products are scarce and expensive in Cuba. Additionally, it is practical to bring vitamins, medications, and personal hygiene products, which are also difficult to obtain on the island.

Why do Cubans bring food when they travel to Cuba?

Cuban residents abroad often bring food and basic goods to Cuba due to the severe shortages affecting the island. This practice has become common, as many Cubans try to support their relatives in Cuba by bringing supplies that are either scarce or very expensive in the local market.

Filed under:

Yare Grau

Originally from Cuba, but living in Spain. I studied Social Communication at the University of Havana and later graduated in Audiovisual Communication from the University of Valencia. I am currently part of the CiberCuba team as an editor in the Entertainment section.