The streets of Trinidad, a historically popular tourist destination in Cuba, now appear eerily deserted, as captured in a video on Mother's Day by Facebook user "Yamila Emprende Onli."
As she wandered through the city, Yamila passed by the well-known San José restaurant, finding not a single tourist or even locals wandering about.
"It's Mother's Day, a Sunday, and just look at the streets of Trinidad. It's disheartening. In previous years, you couldn't even walk through these streets because they were packed with tourists," she lamented.
This stark scene is a dramatic shift from Trinidad's vibrant past. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, this 16th-century colonial city had its entire local economy revolving around tourism—encompassing private accommodations, eateries, crafts, transportation, and tour guides.
Father José Conrado Rodríguez, of the San Francisco de Paula Church, succinctly described the situation to the Miami Herald: "It was a complete economy based on tourism... Now they have no means to survive." He added, "Their hotels are empty."
The decline isn't limited to foreign tourists. Many Cubans have also retreated from public life, driven by mass emigration and wages that no longer suffice for social activities.
With gasoline prices soaring to 4,000 pesos per liter and power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day, families opt to stay home to escape the heat and conserve their limited resources.
This phenomenon is evident throughout the country. Cities resemble ghost towns, a particularly poignant reality on dates that once sparked widespread celebrations.
Vanishing Vibrancy in Cuban Cities
Trinidad's plight is not unique. The empty streets of Limonar, Vedado in Havana, and Cárdenas have become viral sensations in videos from 2025 and 2026, all illustrating the same lifeless urban landscapes.
According to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), Cuba welcomed just 1.8 million tourists in 2025—the lowest figure since 2002, excluding the pandemic—with a 13.4% decline from 2024. In stark contrast, the island saw 4.7 million visitors in 2018.
Compounding the tourism crisis is the mass exodus of its people. Since 2021, over 1.4 million Cubans have left the island, with estimates suggesting the real population has dwindled to below eight million.
The Cuban Human Rights Organization reports that a staggering 89% of those remaining in the country are living in extreme poverty.
The closure of the Las Dunas Hotel in Trinidad in 2026 is yet another indicator of the local tourism infrastructure's collapse. As youtuber Ana de Cuba observed during a visit in March, the city "seemed frozen in time, with even less social activity than in the 18th century."
Frequently Asked Questions about Trinidad's Economic and Social Crisis
What has caused the decline in tourism in Trinidad, Cuba?
The decline in tourism is attributed to the broader economic hardships in Cuba, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a general decline in infrastructure and services that once supported the tourism industry.
How has the decline in tourism affected the local economy?
Trinidad's local economy, once heavily reliant on tourism, has suffered greatly. Many businesses, including restaurants and hotels, have closed, and local residents have lost a significant source of income.
What other cities in Cuba are experiencing similar issues?
Other cities such as Limonar, Vedado in Havana, and Cárdenas are also experiencing similar issues, with empty streets and a noticeable decline in social and economic activities.
What are the living conditions like for those who remain in Cuba?
The majority of Cubans who remain are living in extreme poverty, struggling with high prices for basic necessities, frequent power outages, and limited access to essential services.