A Latin American tourist recently took to social media to share her eye-opening experience during a family vacation in Cuba. Her reflections blend admiration for the island's natural beauty with a profound sadness over the challenging conditions faced by its residents. Identified as Maye on TikTok (@mayebs12), she posted a video detailing her observations after visiting both Varadero and Havana.
While she praised the all-inclusive hotel in Varadero, describing it as "clean, peaceful, and almost empty," she also recounted striking moments that highlighted the stark disparity between the tourist luxury and the Cuban people's struggles. "I want to share my experience in Cuba. This was the gentleman who drove us to Varadero. He told us he couldn't understand why tourism was still active when there was no food, health, water, electricity, or even functioning internet," Maye explained. According to her, the driver also expressed feeling trapped on the island and that leaving the country seemed possible "only by swimming."
Maye spent five nights and six days at an all-inclusive resort in Varadero, followed by two nights and three days in Havana. "I loved Varadero because it's all-inclusive, and you don't have to worry about anything," she noted, appreciating the tranquil environment, pristine beaches, diverse cuisine, and the courteous staff.
Experiencing the Reality of Havana
However, her visit to Havana exposed her to "another side" of Cuba. "In Havana, there's a struggle for food: scarcity is evident, it's a community slowly dying, with hungry children and elderly people without medication asking for help on the streets. It's heartbreaking to see this situation: people begging, houses on the brink of collapse, crumbling balconies… that's where you see the real suffering of Cubans," she lamented.
Staying just two blocks from the city center, she described the critical state of the surroundings: "The power would go out in the next block. They hadn't had water for 15 days, and with the rain, there was no internet." Despite jokingly saying, "I almost died upon arrival," she clarified that the interior of their accommodation was "very clean and comfortable," despite its dilapidated exterior. She found the experience to be safe, affordable, and conveniently located near central attractions like La Bodeguita del Medio.
Warmth Amid Hardship
During their tour of Old Havana, Maye and her family observed the persistent pleas for help from some residents. Nevertheless, she praised the warmth of the Cuban people and the city's cultural richness. "The center is organized, safe, and people are very warm: they help you, offering whatever they can," she highlighted.
"The atmosphere is spectacular, with live music. But there's a constant pressure to give something," she explained. "That's where Cuba pained me, because it's really dirty and very unsafe for tourists."
Despite these challenges, Maye concluded that "Cuba is a very beautiful country" and, given their circumstances, "they keep it clean." For her, the trip was not only about making family memories but also about gaining a deep understanding of the daily realities faced by many Cubans.
Understanding Cuba's Social Challenges
What did the tourist say about her experience in Varadero?
She described her stay in Varadero as enjoyable and stress-free, highlighting the cleanliness, tranquility, and courteous staff at the all-inclusive hotel.
How did the tourist describe Havana?
She observed significant hardships, such as food scarcity, crumbling infrastructure, and people desperately seeking assistance, contrasting sharply with her Varadero experience.
What overall impression did the tourist have of Cuba?
Despite the evident challenges, she found Cuba to be a beautiful country with warm and helpful people, maintaining cleanliness amidst adversity.