An experience that seemed to be a simple weekend plan ended up revealing a reality that is becoming increasingly common for many Cubans: the issue of access to hotels in Havana, which has turned into an obstacle course characterized by restrictions, long lines, and prices beyond the reach of most.
The user of Facebook, Yaraidi Rodríguez, shared in a video her journey through several hotels in the capital searching for a promotional deal. What she found was frustration after frustration.
At the centrally located Iberostar Parque Central, for example, they informed him that there was no availability. As they explained, people had been queuing since five in the morning to get in for breakfast, filling the hotel before ten o'clock.
The scene was no different in other places. At the Hotel Nacional, they clarified that offers for Cubans are only available from Monday to Friday and must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. This means that weekends are practically out of reach for the local public.
On the Paseo del Prado, the requirement was to spend a minimum of $30, while in other hotels the prices were even higher. At the Hotel Cohiba, for example, they offered packages starting at 14,000 pesos per person, with more comprehensive options that could reach up to 100,000 pesos.
"And what is this thing?", she reacted in surprise at the rates.
Finally, he managed to enter a facility—the Neptuno-Tritón Hotel—where access cost around 4,000 pesos per person. However, even inside, the prices for food and drink continued to be a financial blow: 1,950 pesos for a plate of chicken, over 2,000 for pork, 300 pesos for a serving of rice, and 650 for a beer.
Despite having paid an initial amount to consume, the money was not enough, and he had to spend more to cover the bill.
The testimony reflects not only the rising costs of services in hotels but also an increasingly restrictive policy for Cubans, who must adhere to limited schedules, make advance reservations, and deal with prices that clash with their incomes.
This situation is part of a broader pattern of economic exclusion in Cuban hospitality. Other establishments have eliminated the option to pay in Cuban pesos and demand dollars, which excludes the vast majority of the population.
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