On Friday, Cuban content creator Sisi Aguilera took to Facebook to express her shock upon discovering that a single apple was priced at 500 pesos during a family outing last weekend at Boca Ciega beach in Havana's eastern region.
This video follows another controversial clip by the influencer, where she highlighted the exorbitant cost of renting a beach tent at Boca Ciega—9,000 pesos—which exceeds the monthly earnings of many Cubans.
Aguilera endeavored to demonstrate a simple, budget-friendly family outing at the old wooden bridge in the mentioned coastal area.
Transportation Challenges Amid Fuel Scarcity
She explained their choice to travel by tricycle, emphasizing that "thanks to tricycles, many people in Cuba can still get around," due to the near-total fuel shortage in the country. Aguilera noted they opted not to rent any shade or beach chairs.
Staggering Costs of Basic Necessities
Initially, they purchased some doughnuts, which she described as "affordable and delicious," costing 100 pesos. However, the video took a turn when she inquired about the price of fruits.
"What truly stunned me was the price of the apples. 500 pesos each," Aguilera remarked, visibly taken aback in the video, which has garnered over 8,700 views.
Economic Hardships Intensify
This figure starkly illustrates the rapid decline in purchasing power in Cuba. According to the National Office of Statistics and Information, the average monthly salary on the island reached 6,930 pesos in 2025, roughly equivalent to 15 dollars on the informal exchange market. The cost of a single apple accounts for about seven percent of that monthly income.
The situation is even more dire for retired Cubans, one of the demographics hardest hit by inflation and shortages. A recent report revealed that their pensions barely last a week.
"Once I get my hands on that money, it’s gone in five, six, seven, or eight days," one retiree confessed.
Social Media as a Barometer of Crisis
Aguilera’s video adds to a growing collection of social media testimonies showing how basic goods, food, and recreational activities have become unattainable luxuries for many Cubans.
In 2026, this trend of Cubans documenting prices on social media has solidified as a gauge of the crisis. Another creator recently demonstrated that a small purchase of basic food items cost 3,875 pesos, over 56% of the average monthly salary.
Worsening Economic Outlook
The salary landscape is equally bleak. Only Havana, Artemisa, and Villa Clara surpassed the 7,000 pesos average salary mark in 2025, while the rest of the country remains well below that threshold.
Independent economists estimate the minimum cost of living per person exceeds 50,000 pesos monthly, roughly seven times the average salary.
The ration book has collapsed, no longer covering even the most basic needs, while official food inflation reached 16.65% year-on-year in March, with independent estimates putting the real inflation rate at around 70% in 2025.
Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa himself admitted in February 2026 that "with 6,000 pesos, you can't live because of the high prices," a statement that has not been followed by any structural measures to reverse the decline.
Understanding Cuba's Inflation Crisis
What has caused the high inflation in Cuba?
The high inflation in Cuba is largely attributed to economic mismanagement, including the government's failure to implement effective monetary policies and the severe scarcity of essential goods due to systemic inefficiencies.
How are Cuban citizens coping with rising prices?
Many Cubans are struggling to cope with rising prices by relying on social media to document cost increases, while others are forced to make difficult choices between basic necessities due to inadequate incomes.
What is the impact of inflation on Cuban retirees?
Inflation has severely impacted Cuban retirees, whose pensions are insufficient to cover even the most basic needs for more than a week, exacerbating their financial hardships.