The Cuban content creator Yaniris Díaz (@yanirenacer) posted an honest review of her stay at the Meliá Varadero hotel, where she balanced praise for the beaches and rooms with a straightforward critique of the buffet, sparking a debate in the comments.
The video is a continuation of another that Yaniris published days earlier, in which she described the shock of returning to Cuba after a decade of absence and documented the "total decay" she encountered in Havana and Varadero.
In her review, Yaniris explains that it was a last-minute trip: she managed the booking through one agency and the tickets through another, received all the documentation via WhatsApp, and had to fly through Havana because there were no direct flights to Varadero.
About the hotel, their words are clear: "The rooms are very nice, they look remodeled, and the pool, as you can see, as well. But you are in Cuba and as such, the shortcomings are noticeable."
The beaches receive the highest praise: "Our beaches have no competition. Being able to walk on those fine sands and bathe in those waters are the true pleasures of life."
It also highlights the attention of the staff, stating that "the workers don't know where to place you or how to assist you" — in a positive sense, referring to the kindness and willingness of the hotel team.
However, the weak point is the buffet, the lack of delicious and varied food.
"During four days, there was very little variety in the food, and they offered practically the same thing. Personally, this doesn't bother me too much, but it is a question that keeps coming up in the other videos. So I have to be completely honest with you."
The complaints about the poor buffet at hotels in Varadero are not new. Various content creators, both Cuban and foreign, have been documenting them since at least 2023, and the trend has worsened with the ongoing economic and food crisis on the island.
The comments on the video reflect that tension. Some users shared similar or worse negative experiences.
"Don't they know where to place you? Lucky you. My experience has always been traumatic. The mistreatment starts at the front desk," one wrote. Another pointed out, "Everything looks nice, but there's no water or food. Lots of mosquitoes and insects, and even hours without power."
Dark humor also made an appearance: "In all the hotels, they offer you various meats you might want: megalodon steak, slices of tyrannosaurus, and minced polar bear."
Other users directly questioned the relevance of the video: “This type of video is indirectly an attempt to polish the image of the dictatorship. There is a big difference between showcasing the moments you enjoy with your family and a review of a hotel in Varadero.”
Another was more concise: "Keep giving money to the dictatorship," referring to the fact that these are hotels managed by the regime, many of which are under the control of GAESA.
The recent stay of Cubans hosted in hotels on the island has sparked an ongoing debate on social media about what it means to document tourism in Cuba amid the crisis.
The Cuban tourism is plummeting. In 2025, only 1.8 million international visitors arrived, which is a 62% drop from the historic record of 4.7 million recorded in 2018, and in the first quarter of 2026, the decline was 48% compared to the same period the previous year.
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