Argentine content creator Rocío Juanes (@rocio.juanes) became a viral sensation on TikTok after sharing her story of being scammed shortly after arriving in Havana. Her tale, told with humor and authenticity, sparked a flurry of comments from travelers and Cubans alike, who debated the island's charm, cunning, and struggles.
"I got scammed the moment I landed in Havana," Rocío begins in her initial video. "As soon as I stepped out of the hotel, everyone was all over me, asking for things or trying to talk, but it was all men. So, when a woman approached, I thought it was different."
The woman claimed to work at the same hotel where Rocío was staying and suggested a different restaurant for enjoying lobster. "I'd love to see that moment from the outside because she was a master of deception," Rocío joked. Trusting her, Rocío followed, unaware she was falling into a common trap for new tourists.
"We went into this place, she told me to sit down. It was 4 PM, and I wasn't even hungry but ended up ordering to-go. She started chatting about BBQ, Messi, and then asked for a coffee and five dollars to buy milk for her daughter," she recounted. "Five dollars is a lot. One thing is choosing to help, another is getting swindled," she summarized, laughing.
Upon returning to the hotel, Rocío discovered the woman wasn't an employee there and that it had all been a ruse. Despite this, she chose not to dwell on the negative: "I got scammed, but I ended up making friends. I went for a ride in classic cars with some Colombians, we had dinner, danced... I had a blast," she said in another video.
The TikTok reactions poured in. "The same thing happened to me, but with cigars," a follower wrote. "They took us to a bar, we ordered mojitos, and ended up footing the whole bill," added an Argentine. Some defended the Cubans, stating they "survive as best they can." Others questioned the destination choice: "Why would you go to Cuba?" one user asked. Rocío replied confidently: "Because beyond this, it's a paradise."
Days later, Rocío released a third video to clarify why she considered the incident a scam. "She lied about being a hotel employee, which built trust. She led me away from the main square, took me through increasingly sketchy areas, told me everything closed at four when it was just before four, and made me believe I had no other dining option," she explained. "I had no data, couldn't connect to the wifi, and she left me in a small, isolated spot. She kept lying until the end. She put me in a defenseless situation and, when I had no choice left, asked for five dollars. That's a scam," she asserted.
Despite everything, Rocío made it clear her overall experience in Cuba was positive. "I loved Havana. The people are cheerful, friendly, very warm. I was fascinated," she said.
"It was rough starting off like that, alone and with that experience, but things got better. I loved Cuba," she wrote. And as she summed up with her mix of naïveté and good humor: "Yes, I got scammed, but I ate lobster, made friends, and confirmed that Cuba, for all its flaws, is still a paradise."
Understanding Tourist Scams in Cuba
What are common scams tourists face in Cuba?
Tourists in Cuba often face scams such as being overcharged at restaurants or bars, being led to overpriced shops or services by locals pretending to be helpful, and being tricked into paying for fake goods or services.
How can tourists protect themselves from scams in Cuba?
To avoid scams, tourists should research common local scams before traveling, be cautious of unsolicited help, verify credentials of anyone claiming to be an employee, and always double-check prices and services before committing.