A water park for children in Ciego de Ávila has sparked a wave of criticism among Cubans both on the island and abroad, not for its facilities, but for its price: 500 Cuban pesos for just 30 minutes of children's swimming.
The place, called Aquapark and located near the area known as “La Turbina,” is promoted as a clean, well-maintained recreational option with a food offering that includes pizzas, soft drinks, beer, and other products. However, what is a novelty for some has become a symbol of disconnection from the reality of the country for many others.
In a context where the average monthly salary barely covers basic needs, the cost of this park has been seen as unaffordable for most Cuban families, especially those with more than one child.
"How can a father who earns 4000 pesos take his children?", questioned a user on social media, reflecting a concern shared by many. Others were even more emphatic: "500 pesos for half an hour, aren't they embarrassed?" wrote another internet user, while a mother summed up the general sentiment: "For 500 pesos, it should be for the whole day, not just the time it takes a child to change their clothes."
The criticism not only focuses on the price but also on the limited time. Several comments sarcastically note how little the children can enjoy in just half an hour. "By the time the child is taking off their clothes, their time is already up," wrote one user, while another claimed that "it's better to just give them a hose at home."
Indignation grows even more when contrasting these types of offers with the daily reality on the island. Some users pointed out the water scarcity in the province itself, questioning the existence of a park like this while communities face long cycles without supply. “There’s no water every 7 or 9 days, and they’re building parks with swimming pools,” lamented another comment.
There were also criticisms of the very concept of the park. “Water park? Painted concrete and a hose,” scoffed a user, while others questioned the quality of the water and the actual conditions of the site.
The 500 pesos charged by the park represent approximately 7.3% of the average monthly salary in Cuba, which as of the end of November 2025 was only 6,830 pesos, according to data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
In terms of the informal market, those 500 pesos are equivalent to almost a dollar. The exchange rate reached a historical record of 520 pesos per dollar this past weekend. However, for a Cuban family living on a state salary, that figure has a different impact.
A family with two children would spend 1,000 pesos in just half an hour of playtime, not including transportation or food, in a country where the minimum cost of living exceeds 50,000 pesos monthly and the basic food basket for two people ranges between 25,000 and 27,000 pesos per month.
The phenomenon of the Aqua Park in Ciego de Ávila is not an isolated case. In the face of the widespread deterioration and neglect of state recreational facilities—children's parks with rusty and dangerous structures throughout the country—the private sector has filled the void with attractions for children at prices that many Cubans consider abusive.
The most well-known case is Jalisco Park in Havana, which reopened in July 2023 under private management, resulting in long lines but also complaints about high prices. Cuban parents reported that they had to bring "up to 20,000 pesos" for a family visit. In Pinar del Río, the private sector also took advantage of the deterioration of the state park Paquito González to install inflatable parks, facing similar complaints regarding costs.
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