During a visit to Cuba, a woman shared her ordeal on TikTok after a mishap with her rented tourist car in Cienfuegos. While the vehicle was parked in the Punta Gorda neighborhood, a local resident accidentally collided with it.
On July 5, TikTok user @la_mariachispark recounted her experience. She rented the car through Transtur, the Cuban state-run tourist transport company. She mentioned that the street where she left the car was on a slope, which contributed to the accident.
"Well, not everything is rosy. I had an accident during my trip to Cuba," she began her story. "I rented a tourist car from Transtur in Cienfuegos, Cuba, in Punta Gorda, and a neighbor hit the car while it was parked."
Following the incident, she adhered to the appropriate protocol: notifying Transtur and contacting the National Police. According to her account, the officers arrived promptly. Fortunately, the incident did not result in significant issues for her as the renter of the vehicle.
"In the end, nothing came of it; everything stayed as it was, but it was a bit tense," she summarized. However, the situation was more complicated for the neighbor responsible for the collision. "Imagine, hitting a tourist car— it was a bit troublesome for him," she noted.
Crashing into a tourist vehicle in Cuba carries serious implications for the person responsible. These cars are marked by special plates and owned by the Cuban government, linked to the tourism sector, which exacerbates the legal and financial repercussions for those who cause damage.
Exclusive Punta Gorda: A Hub for Tourists and Luxury
The incident took place in Punta Gorda, Cienfuegos' most exclusive neighborhood. Located at the southern tip of the city on a narrow peninsula along the Jagua Bay, it features historic mansions, hotels, and restaurants, and hosts one of Transtur's main offices in the province.
Frequent Tourist Car Accidents in Cuba
Incidents involving tourist cars are not uncommon in Cuba, with numerous cases shared on social media from cities like Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Las Tunas. In July 2025, Havana witnessed a dramatic collision between a taxi and a tourist car, and another rental vehicle was wrecked in Santiago de Cuba that same month. A tragic incident in Las Tunas in September 2024 resulted in seven fatalities following a crash between a taxi and a tourist car.
Challenges in Renting Cars in Cuba
The difficulties of renting cars in Cuba are longstanding. In May of this year, Cuban visitors from Miami reported failures by state agencies, including unavailable vehicles despite prepaid reservations, compounded by the island's ongoing energy crisis.
Understanding the Challenges of Car Rentals and Accidents in Cuba
Why are accidents with tourist cars significant in Cuba?
Tourist cars in Cuba are owned by the state and are part of the tourism sector, making any damage to them subject to stringent legal and financial consequences for those responsible.
What challenges do people face when renting cars in Cuba?
Renting cars in Cuba can be challenging due to issues such as vehicle unavailability despite reservations, often exacerbated by the country's energy crisis.
Where did the incident with the rental car take place?
The incident occurred in Punta Gorda, the most exclusive neighborhood in Cienfuegos, known for its historic mansions and tourist attractions.