The Cuban influencer Anita Mateu returned to Cuba to visit her family and, upon her arrival, decided to share a warning on TikTok for those considering traveling to the island. In a video that quickly generated reactions, she was blunt: "My advice is not to come." This was based on various situations she experienced during her trip.
One of the most discussed points of her testimony was what happened with her luggage. According to her account, a carry-on suitcase that should not have been checked ended up in the hold, and when she picked it up at the Havana airport, she noticed that a digital camera she had inside had been stolen. Anita stated that she later received numerous messages from people who said they had experienced similar situations.
Beyond the incident, the content creator listed other aspects that, in her opinion, travelers should consider: bringing repellent, carrying cash, and not relying too much on the internet connection, which she described as very unreliable. She also discussed the challenges of getting around the country, noting that prices were high and options were limited.
In her video, Anita went beyond the practical and shared a personal impression of the atmosphere she found on the island. She described Cuba as a “desolate and empty” place, marked by sadness and loneliness, and cautioned that one should not travel with the image of a Caribbean paradise that, according to her, no longer corresponds to the current reality.
Reactions came promptly. While some users supported his message and shared similar experiences, others qualified his words or pointed out that each trip can be different. Nevertheless, the video reignited the debate on social media about what it means today to return to or visit Cuba, especially for those doing so after living outside the country.
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