New Year's Eve dinners in several Havana hotels were offered at prices ranging from $60 to $120 per person, featuring menus with meats, seafood, sparkling wine, and other beverages.
To afford such a lavish celebration at these tourist spots, one would need at least six months' worth of minimum salary.
While hotels flaunt their extravagance, some citizens are organizing free meals for the homeless and neighbors in extreme poverty, who may not even have a "warm meal" to see out the year.
The Hotel Nacional de Cuba promoted a "dinner concert" priced at $100 per person and $50 for children. This includes a welcome cocktail, a bottle of water, a national drink per person, a bottle of rum or whiskey per couple (with mixers), a glass of sparkling wine for the toast, a three-course dinner, and "Christmas sweets."
The event was scheduled for December 31st at 8:00 p.m., with reservations required in person.
The Hotel Habana Libre offered a dinner for $60 or 30,000 CUP (equivalent to four months' salary at the current rate of 6,685 CUP for the average salary). The menu featured antipasto with ham, chorizo, salami, cheese, and olives, smoked salmon rolls with cream cheese and fruits, truffle mushroom cream, beef tenderloin with wine and rum reduction sauce, desserts like torrijas with chocolate sauce and ice cream, Christmas nougat, and "lucky grapes."
Beverages included a welcome glass of sparkling wine and three drinks to choose from water, soda, beer, or house wine.
At the Meliá Habana, the dinner was set at $120 per person or 45,000 CUP (nearly seven months of average salary), with a welcome glass of sparkling wine, cold starter, scallops in citrus sauce, seafood cream with confit lobster, beef tenderloin in mushroom sauce, and a cava mousse dessert.
The proposal included drinks during dinner: white and red wine, water, beer, and soda.
Community Efforts to Bridge the Gap
In stark contrast to the hotel offerings, a community initiative in Guanabo led by entrepreneur Hugo Puig González, owner of the K5 bar, has been organizing a free New Year's Eve meal for the third consecutive year, aimed exclusively at the homeless and those in extreme economic hardship.
Puig announced on Facebook that on December 31st, starting at 3:00 p.m., the terrace of his bar would open for those without a guaranteed meal, conducted in collaboration with the Restaurant Casaquinta.
He clarified that the invitation is not open to everyone and urged assistance to ensure the food reaches those truly in need, warning that if people without real needs take advantage, someone vulnerable might miss their only special meal of the year.
The message also carries a symbolic intention: to remind these individuals that they "remain visible," are not forgotten, and deserve to end the year with dignity and humanity.
To support the initiative, Puig invited donations through the group "Con Amor Todos Juntos," providing card numbers in CUP and foreign currency, alongside a contact number.
According to the text, in 2024, over 200 people enjoyed a traditional Cuban dinner, music, desserts, drinks, and even new clothing, thanks to the collaboration of private businesses, locals, and volunteers, with personal care actions like grooming and changing clothes.
While hotels advertise high-priced dinners with "premium" drinks and dishes, community efforts like K5's aim to bridge the gap for those who might end the year without food, company, or shelter, even if only for a few hours.
Understanding the Cost of New Year's Eve Luxury in Cuba
How much do New Year's Eve dinners cost in Havana hotels?
New Year's Eve dinners in Havana hotels range from $60 to $120 per person, depending on the hotel and the menu offered.
What do these luxurious dinner packages include?
These packages typically include a welcome drink, multi-course dinner, beverages, and often a bottle of rum or whiskey for couples, along with festive desserts and music.
What community efforts are being made to help those in need during the holidays?
Community initiatives like the one led by Hugo Puig González in Guanabo organize free meals for the homeless and those in extreme poverty, ensuring they are not forgotten during the holiday season.