A young Cuban woman from Matanzas has sparked significant controversy online after posting a TikTok video urging people not to travel to Cuba. She cites the island's severe economic crisis, frequent power outages, and resource shortages as reasons that make a genuine tourist experience unfeasible. "The first thing you need to know is to bring a suitcase—not with clothes, my dear, but filled with dollars," she states in the video, which has garnered over 13,000 reactions. "Prices here are like Dubai's, and most importantly: rechargeable devices, fans, lamps, portable chargers... because there's never electricity," she announces with a sarcastic and direct tone.
According to her account, tourists visiting the island should be prepared not only to spend large amounts of money but also to stock up as if heading into a war zone. "Primarily, if you can, bring everything canned, because as I mentioned before, there's never power. So, you risk all the food you buy going bad," she warns. She adds, "If you get sick here, even with a cold, there's no medicine available."
The Cost of Dining in Cuba
She also questions the culinary experience in the country. "If you want to dine at a private restaurant, you should know you might spend half of all the money you brought in your suitcase," she warns. However, she notes an exception: "If you have the chance, you can go to a hotel in Varadero, and you'll have a great time: there's power, food, a pool, internet..." Yet, she emphasizes that this is not the Cuba most Cubans live in. "I've given you my opinion... now it's up to you to decide what to do," she concludes.
Reactions to the Viral Video
The video has triggered a wave of comments on TikTok, with many users praising her for her honesty and courage, expressing that her words reflect the harsh reality faced by millions of Cubans. Comments like "Thanks for telling the truth, I no longer feel like going," "You really speak your mind, thanks for the warning," and "The truth hurts, but it needs to be said" have been common.
Conversely, some critics accuse her of contradicting herself, pointing out her appearance in the video. "You have appliances, good clothes, and food," "It seems you don't live in the same Cuba you're talking about," and "This is negative propaganda against your own country," were some of the harsher responses.
The Broader Context of Cuba
Some participants in the discussion attempted to nuance the debate by highlighting that the tourist experience differs from the daily life of Cubans. Several people mentioned that during their visits to the island, they didn't face any of the challenges Sheyla describes and that "nothing is lacking in the hotels." Others acknowledged the shortages but argued that "if you're going to help a family, the trip is worth it." Some defended tourism as a way to support private individuals instead of the state, while others simply lamented the country's decline.
Sheyla's testimony adds to a wave of recent viral denunciations. Earlier in June, Spanish influencer Laura Méndez released a video that gained substantial attention, asserting that "Cuba doesn't need more tourists, but rather freedom, justice, and truth." From her experience on the island, Méndez claimed that "while you're in a five-star hotel, there are Cubans waiting in line for eight hours for bread," describing the country as "an open-air prison."
In mid-month, another testimony from exile reinforced this perception. Robelcasa, a Cuban living in the United States, responded to those who argue that Cuba "has everything," saying, "There's no toothpaste, no factories, no water, no electricity, no dignity." "If you don't have a relative sending you food, you have nothing," he declared in a widely shared video.
All these messages converge on a central idea: the tourist image promoted by the Cuban regime hides a deep, structural crisis that is increasingly exposed thanks to social media. For many, traveling to Cuba without understanding this reality is akin to ignoring a social emergency. And Sheyla's video not only verbalizes that tension but makes it viral with a phrase now circulating across thousands of profiles: "Don't come to Cuba if you don't want to bring home a suitcase full of frustrations."
Understanding the Reality of Traveling to Cuba
Why does the Cuban woman advise against traveling to Cuba?
She warns against visiting due to the economic crisis, frequent power outages, and resource shortages, which make the tourist experience challenging.
What are some challenges tourists might face in Cuba?
Tourists may need to spend large sums of money and bring essentials like canned food and rechargeable devices due to power outages and scarcity of resources.
How did the video of the Cuban woman impact social media?
The video sparked a significant response, with many praising her honesty and others criticizing her perceived contradictions, leading to a broader discussion on Cuba's reality.