Alejandro Rodríguez Cuervo, a well-known host of Ruta10Oficial on Cuba's Educational Channel and a sports journalist on Canal Caribe, recently shared a surprising encounter on Facebook. Upon arriving at the lobby of the Habana Libre Hotel, he was informed that a simple cup of coffee would require payment in dollars. The staff referred to this as a "price restructuring."
Rodríguez Cuervo expressed his disbelief, writing, "I was just told at the Habana Libre Hotel lobby that to have a coffee, I must pay in dollars. Just like that, with utter normality but, mind you, with a lot of courtesy."
The question he posed reflects the frustration of countless Cubans: "Can someone explain who directed this policy? Why do I have to pay in a currency I don't possess in my own country?"
Highlighting the irony, Rodríguez Cuervo pointed out, "The Habana Libre, it seems, isn't as 'free' as its name suggests."
His post ignited a flood of comments, many confirming that this dollar-only policy extends beyond just this hotel.
Similar experiences were reported at the Hotel Copacabana, where a dollar was charged for a glass of water for a child, and a customer was "held at the bar for lacking dollars" to pay for their coffee. Other hotels, such as the Hotel Capri and the Meliá Habana, as well as the Hotel Pinar del Río, have implemented similar dollar-exclusive charges in their cafes, restaurants, and pizzerias. The latter even advertised a Mother’s Day dinner available only in this currency.
Widespread Dollarization in Cuban Tourism
One commenter warned, "It's not just that hotel. It seems to be a rule they're generalizing," while another bluntly remarked, "A subtle way of saying once more: Cubans, stay out of my tourist facilities!"
The trend of progressive dollarization in Cuba's tourism sector picked up pace from August 2025. Hotels under the military conglomerate GAESA (Grupo Gaviota) began demanding cash dollars or international cards, eschewing both Cuban pesos and MLC (Moneda Libremente Convertible).
By February 2026, the regime further tightened foreign currency control through Agreement 10216 from the Council of Ministers, centralizing oversight of foreign currency e-commerce platforms under the Central Bank of Cuba.
The economic context makes these policies particularly harsh: the minimum Cuban salary is approximately 2,100 pesos, equating to merely four dollars at the informal exchange rate, while the average salary doesn't exceed 5,000 to 6,000 pesos, or about ten to twelve dollars.
In April, the Hotel Iberostar Parque Central was charging 10,000 pesos—almost five months' minimum salary—just to access the pool.
Recurring Economic Challenges
Rodríguez Cuervo acknowledged that this issue isn't new: "It appears cyclically," he noted. Comments on his post echoed this sentiment: "Everything is cyclical, we've been here before... there was even a time when Cubans couldn't enter," recalled one user.
Another pointed out that these measures are part of the "partial dollarization of the economy" spearheaded by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.
Concerns about repercussions for speaking out were also evident: "I hope you don't get removed from TV and radio and all media for expressing your feelings, as often happens in Cuban media," wrote one follower.
Another summed up the sentiment shared by many: "In many places, we have to pay in a currency we don't earn; it's a sad reality we face."
Understanding Cuba's Economic Shifts and Dollarization
Why are Cuban hotels demanding payment in dollars?
Cuban hotels, particularly those under the GAESA conglomerate, have increasingly required payment in dollars as part of a broader trend of dollarization within the tourism sector. This policy aligns with government measures to centralize foreign currency transactions.
How does the dollarization policy affect Cuban citizens?
The dollarization policy poses significant challenges for Cuban citizens who earn in local currency, as they must pay for goods and services in a currency that is difficult to obtain and not part of their regular income.