Family Faces 4,000-Peso Entry Fee at Havana's Children's Park: "It's a Jungle Out Here"

In a recent Facebook post, an individual voiced their frustration over the exorbitant entry fee at Jalisko Park, an amusement park in Vedado, Havana. The park charges 1,000 Cuban pesos per person for admission, which includes just a soda and a pack of cookies. This means a family of four would need to spend 4,000 pesos to visit the park during the summer vacation.

The person who shared the post described arriving at the park with their children, full of excitement, only to leave disappointed because they couldn't afford the fee.

"I went with my kids, full of excitement, hoping they'd have some fun, but had to turn back because I didn't have the money. Even if I did, I wouldn't pay that," they wrote on Facebook.

In their complaint, they openly questioned how such a high price could be justified for a venue meant for children, especially amidst ongoing blackouts and widespread shortages.

"Imagine a family—mother, father, and two kids—being forced to pay 4,000 pesos with so many needs, while our children endure blackouts and scarcity," they expressed.

The post concluded with a powerful statement reflecting the frustration of many Cubans: "It's a jungle out here; we're devouring and destroying each other."

The 4,000 pesos required for this family outing represent more than half of the average monthly salary in Cuba, which is around 6,830 pesos, equivalent to about 12 dollars at the informal exchange rate.

Independent estimates suggest that the monthly basic food basket exceeds 96,000 pesos, about 14 times the average salary.

Past Promises and Current Reality

Jalisko Park, a landmark children's park located at 23 and 18 in Vedado, reopened on July 29, 2023, under the management of the "Pekín" non-agricultural cooperative, in collaboration with Havana's provincial government.

At the time of reopening, authorities had promised free access for children and a nominal fee of 50 pesos for adults. However, prices have skyrocketed since then, with Cuban parents reporting costs of up to 20,000 pesos for a full family visit when taking into account food expenses.

A Broader Issue Across Cuba

The situation at Jalisko Park is not unique. In April 2026, a water park in Ciego de Ávila charged 500 pesos for just thirty minutes of swimming time for children.

Meanwhile, the El Mambisito children's park in Holguín lies in ruins, with missing roofs, empty kiosks, and non-operational attractions.

This trend characterizes the state of children's recreational facilities in Cuba during the summer of 2026: while state-run venues crumble beyond repair, private operators set prices that most Cuban families simply cannot afford.

"I wish someone could reasonably explain if this is normal, or if I'm the one who's out of touch," the complainant concluded, urging readers to draw their own conclusions.