Cubans Warned of High Costs to Move to Caribbean Island

A Cuban woman living in Antigua and Barbuda has issued a cautionary message to fellow Cubans considering relocation to this Eastern Caribbean island. She emphasizes the necessity of having at least $5,000 saved up to avoid turning the migration journey into a daunting financial trap.

The content creator, known on TikTok as @yuyudecuba, shared a video detailing the essential expenses involved in moving to Antigua and Barbuda. This comes in response to numerous inquiries from Cubans seeking advice on how to migrate to this island nation.

"You absolutely need 5,000 dollars to move to this island," declares the TikToker, who speaks from personal experience, having arrived via a work contract.

Breakdown of Costs

The breakdown is stark: flights from Cuba range between 1,100 and 1,300 dollars per person. Basic monthly rent is around 800 dollars, and with the upfront payment of the first month and a security deposit, the initial cost hits 1,600 dollars. On top of this, food expenses amount to at least 300 dollars monthly.

For a single individual, the minimum total comes to approximately 3,100 dollars.

For a family of three, the amount doubles: "Let's multiply 3,100 dollars by two adults and a child. That's 6,200 dollars just to arrive in Antigua and start living here," she explains.

Challenges Beyond Initial Expenses

The challenges do not end with the initial outlay. "You won't find a job right away. Even those already here face lengthy job searches, so arriving today would require incredible luck," warns @yuyudecuba.

Antigua and Barbuda is one of the few Caribbean destinations where Cubans can travel without a prior visa, making it theoretically accessible among the 60 countries open to the Cuban passport without a visa. However, legal employment requires a work permit, and job opportunities are scarce, with the country's economy heavily reliant on tourism and imports.

Considering Alternatives

Faced with these circumstances, the TikToker suggests more profitable alternatives for those with funds available in Cuba.

"If you have 6,200 dollars in Cuba, why not start a small business and travel to other countries for trade, like Mexico, which only requires a thousand dollars or a property for a visa, allowing you to enter and exit freely?" she questions.

She also mentions tourist trips to Venezuela, costing between 400 and 500 dollars, which allow for purchasing goods to resell in Cuba.

@yuyudecuba clarifies that her situation, arriving through a work contract, differs from those migrating independently: "We came here under a contract that pays us enough to live on this island, support our family in Cuba, and afford some luxuries and expenses."

The video aligns with a trend on social media where Cubans abroad share candid accounts of the emigration experience, from Miami to Spain, Mexico, or the Caribbean.

The unique aspect of @yuyudecuba's message is its preventive tone, unlike many regretful emigration stories: "I'm not going to lie to you. I'll tell you the reality as it is because I live on this island."

Her final recommendation leaves no room for misinterpretation: "I advise against spending 6,200 dollars to come to an island where you won't recoup that money for a very long time."