A Cuban resident abroad returned ill after 14 days on the island and shared a series of essential tips on TikTok for those planning to visit their families in Cuba. The creator, identified as @melicapote, posted the video on July 3 with a hoarse voice and a newly acquired ear infection, but with a clear message: the challenges should not be a barrier to making the trip, as long as one is well-prepared.
"I was there for fourteen days, and out of those fourteen days, I can't tell you which day there wasn't an incident," warned the creator, who noted that all the children in the group fell ill: some with a stomach virus that causes fever and general discomfort, and others with a cold and cough, the same condition she returned with.
His first piece of advice is insect repellent. "Things for insects, mosquitoes, all kinds of repellent, that's something you can't do without," he said. The warning takes on special significance in the current context: Cuba is facing an epidemic of dengue and chikungunya with more than 80,000 infected and 55 deceased, according to data from the Pan American Health Organization, which includes 48,223 cases of chikungunya and 28,850 of dengue.
The second essential item that @melicapote considers indispensable is a rechargeable fan. "If you don't have plants, if you don't have a panel in your home, if you don't have anything to ventilate you at night, please prioritize taking at least one or two rechargeable fans because you won't be able to sleep," she explained. The reason is not just the heat: the blackouts in Cuba exceed 20 hours a day in many areas, with an electric deficit nearing 2,000 MW during nighttime, leaving families without ventilation for hours and exposed to mosquitoes.
The third piece of advice received the most emphasis: medications. "Medications are a priority if there are young children or elderly people," they stressed. They recommended including stomach remedies, flu medications, pain relievers, and anti-inflammatories in the luggage. The warning is relevant as essential medications in Cuba are available at only about 30% of their usual supply levels.
Regarding nutrition, @melicapote was straightforward: "In Cuba, we are no longer concerned with dressing up; we are focused on good nutrition." The recommendation to prioritize food over clothing in luggage reflects a crisis that, according to the Food Monitor Program, has left 96% of Cubans with no real capacity to acquire food.
Despite the situation she described, the creator encouraged her followers not to postpone their trip. She shared that she regrets not being able to go when she experienced a family loss because at that time she didn’t have her documents in order. “It’s never too late to make that little trip to Cuba, as long as you have your papers and visit your family,” she said.
The testimony of @melicapote adds to a growing trend of warnings surrounding travel to the island. Germany issued a formal warning on June 6 advising individuals with pre-existing conditions to reconsider their travel "very seriously," while tourism to Cuba has fallen by 55% so far in 2026. For those who travel regardless—like her, out of love for family—preparation makes the difference between surviving the 14 days or spending them in bed.
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