A video shared on Facebook reveals the complete devastation of the once-popular Puerto Escondido campsite in Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, sparking a wave of sorrow and nostalgia among Cubans both on the island and abroad.
Captured by a creator known as "The Cuban Creator" on social media, the footage takes viewers through the debris of what was once a beloved recreational destination for Havana families. The scene is marked by a few standing cabins, an abandoned pool, and a dance floor in complete disrepair.
"Sadness, longing, memories—memories of something that no longer exists," the creator's voice trembles as he walks among the remnants of the site.
"Here we have the dance floor where we used to have parties at night at the Puerto Escondido campsite. It's heartbreaking, it tears me apart, my friend. Look at this. And this is what's left," he adds.
The video's description is even more poignant: "My Cuba is stuck in the past, merely a memory of what we once knew, of what we lived, the most beautiful memories of my childhood now only linger in my mind. GIVE ME BACK MY CUBA."
Originally opened on July 6, 1983, Puerto Escondido was the first facility of the North Coast Complex in Mayabeque, located at kilometer 80 of the Vía Blanca. For decades, its cabins, swimming pool, dance floor, and access to marine caves made it a symbol of Cuban leisure, especially for workers and their families.
Widespread Neglect of Recreational Facilities
The neglect of this campsite is not an isolated incident but reflects a broader decline of state-run recreational facilities across the island.
The San Pedro campsite in Artemisa reduced from 310 cabins in 2023 to just 242 in 2025, with cracked floors and destroyed recreational areas. Río Jobabo was described as "a barren sanctuary without water, lighting, campers, or life." Peña Blanca shows collapsed roofs and silent pathways.
Río Cristal recreational complex in Havana, reopened in 2017 with an investment of 6.8 million pesos, was found in 2026 with empty pools and courts overrun by vegetation, despite the official newspaper Tribuna de La Habana claiming in July 2025 that it was "advancing in its comprehensive recovery."
Rising Challenges Amid Natural Disasters
Even official media acknowledged in March 2024 that the popular campsites depicted "a sad picture of glorious years reduced to filth, decay, and waste," without implicating the regime for the neglect.
Hurricane Rafael in 2024 worsened the deterioration of many such facilities, but the underlying issues predate the storm: decades of underinvestment, lack of state maintenance, and vandalism at unattended sites.
The Campismo Popular system was established in 1981 with the stated aim of ensuring all Cubans could enjoy rest and nature. Today, that vision largely stands as a collection of ruins.
Meanwhile, the regime has filed a project worth $8.9 million with the Ministry of Foreign Trade to transform the site into an "International Camping Adventure Park Mirador de Puerto Escondido," yet there is no concrete evidence of progress, and the ruins continue to deteriorate, witnessed by those who once cherished memories there.
Frequently Asked Questions About Puerto Escondido Camp
What was Puerto Escondido known for?
Puerto Escondido was famed for its cabins, swimming pool, dance floor, and access to marine caves, making it a cherished leisure spot for Cuban families, particularly those from Havana.
Why has Puerto Escondido fallen into ruin?
The decline of Puerto Escondido is part of a broader pattern of neglect affecting state-run recreational facilities across Cuba, exacerbated by decades of insufficient investment, lack of maintenance, and vandalism.
Is there a plan to restore Puerto Escondido?
The Cuban government has proposed a project to convert the site into an "International Camping Adventure Park," but there is no visible evidence of progress, and the site continues to deteriorate.