Lea García, a young Spaniard with Cuban roots who shares her life on TikTok under the handle @leagarciia02, recently uploaded a 42-second video detailing her restaurant bill during a visit to Cuba. The clip has amassed over 15,000 views and sparked a lively discussion about the country's economic situation.
In her video, Lea recounts the entire dining experience. She and her companions visited a restaurant she found "very well decorated." For starters, she ordered a Malta, followed by appetizers that included fries, cheese croquettes, and pork patacones. The main courses featured ropa vieja with potatoes and "arroz con gris," which she referred to as "arroz moro." However, a notable delay of nearly two hours occurred before the food, which was served in takeout containers, finally arrived—a detail she found disappointing.
The video’s most striking element is Lea's economic reflection as she compares the expenditure to the Cuban minimum wage. "It's quite expensive. I always compare it to salaries, but it's true: if a salary is 2,100 and you spend that on a double meat dish, it's a lot," she remarked in the video.
This comparison reveals a stark reality. Cuba's official minimum wage has been stagnant at 2,100 pesos since January 2021, with no announced increases for 2026. According to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), the average salary reached 6,830 pesos by November 2025. However, independent economists estimate that surviving on the island requires between 40,000 and 50,000 pesos per month per person.
In this context, dining in one of Havana's more affordable restaurants costs around 13,000 Cuban pesos, equivalent to approximately $26 at the informal exchange rate, representing two to six times the monthly minimum wage. In mid-range establishments, prices range between 2,500 and 2,800 pesos per person, with appetizers in higher-end venues costing between 4,000 and 6,600 pesos.
For European tourists, however, these amounts are relatively affordable when converted to euros, partially explaining the growing number of Spanish visitors documenting their culinary experiences in Cuba. The Cuban peso has depreciated nearly 48% against the dollar over the past year, dropping from 345 to 515 pesos per dollar in the informal market, while accumulated inflation between 2024 and 2026 has exceeded 200%.
Lea García is not the only Spaniard stirring conversation on social media with such content. In February, another creator traveled solo to Cuba amid the crisis, describing the experience as "one of the toughest and most incredible journeys." Spain ranks as the second-largest source of tourists to Cuba, with approximately 150,000 visitors in 2025, contributing to a total of roughly 2.4 million tourists welcomed by the island that year.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
How does the cost of dining in Cuba compare to local salaries?
Dining in one of Havana's more affordable restaurants can cost around 13,000 Cuban pesos, which is equivalent to roughly $26 at the informal exchange rate. This amount can represent two to six times the monthly minimum wage in Cuba.
What is the current exchange rate of the Cuban peso?
As of the latest data, the Cuban peso has depreciated significantly, with the informal exchange rate dropping from 345 to 515 pesos per dollar over the past year.
Why are Spanish tourists increasingly visiting Cuba?
The relatively affordable costs of dining and other expenses when converted to euros contribute to the increasing number of Spanish tourists visiting Cuba, along with the unique cultural experiences the island offers.