La Maestranza Children's Park was scheduled to reopen this Saturday at noon in Old Havana, offering free entry for children and a fee of 200 pesos for adults, along with additional charges for the use of various attractions.
The announcement was made via Facebook by the Management of Heritage S.A., which is part of the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana, and highlighted by the official newspaper Tribuna de La Habana.
The price does not include the use of individual attractions, and the entity announced that the option for electronic payment would be available.
Among the announced options are inflatable equipment, animatronics, foosball, batting cages, crazy carts, a mechanical bull, and a trampoline, as well as bicycle rentals for 150 CUP per circuit and 500 CUP per class.
The opening program included children's shows featuring the clown Qkitin and the artist Annie Garcés. The park, located on Cuba Street between Peña Pobre and the Port Avenue, is scheduled to operate from Wednesday to Sunday, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Its facilities were renovated in 2025 thanks to a donation from the Government of Mexico.
The announcement generated mixed reactions on social media. Some users celebrated the possibility of reclaiming a recreational space for children, while others questioned the additional expenses and the feasibility of the equipment operating amid the electrical crisis.
"First, let's see if there is electricity; then we can worry about the price," wrote a user, referring to the electrical crisis affecting the island. Another person was more direct: "The inflatables and other devices do require electricity; otherwise, the park is just as trashy as always. They charge you an entrance fee, and once you're inside, nothing works."
The economic factor also dominated the comments. "And also bring a backpack full of money," one user sarcastically remarked. Another nostalgically recalled that "going there used to be the escape for the poor," while a third stated: "For the average Cuban, there’s no chance of anything." A father noted that his son "hasn't slept well due to the lack of electricity" and had no desire to go out.
Citizen skepticism is rooted in the overall landscape of children's recreation in Cuba. The Jalisko Park in Vedado charges 1,000 CUP per person for entry. A full family visit can exceed 14,700 CUP, which is more than two average monthly salaries.
The Los Caballitos park in Artemisa reopened in July under private management with fees ranging from 100 to 500 CUP per ride on each attraction.
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