A Cuban woman shared her experience at the National Aquarium of Cuba on Instagram, revealing shocking prices during the Summer Festival Pa'Cuba. Visitors faced hefty costs, such as a pulled pork sandwich priced at 1,000 pesos, skewers at 1,600, soft drinks ranging from 500 to 600 pesos, and a ride on a small cart for 500 pesos—a service that typically costs between 100 and 150 pesos elsewhere.
The user @bichota_de_cuba_2712 documented this during the festival's fifth edition. Organized by Conex, part of the Palco Business Group, the event took place from June 5 to July 19, 2026, aiming to attract external funding for the aquarium's maintenance.
"We're talking about pulled pork sandwiches at 1,000 pesos each, skewers at 1,600, and a simple can of soda for 500 to 600 pesos. A ride in a little cart, which usually costs 100 to 150 elsewhere, was priced at 500," the visitor detailed in her video.
The only affordable aspect was the entry fee: 50 pesos for children and 150 for adults. Everything else was "extremely expensive for prices here in Cuba and for the Cuban salary," she noted.
Access to Dolphins: A Pricey Affair
A primary concern was the access to dolphins, traditionally the aquarium's main attraction. "At the entrance, I was told that the dolphins were only available to those dining at the dolphin restaurant. This means you have to pay to see the dolphins," she explained.
Dining at this restaurant cost between 1,500 and 1,800 pesos, and securing a table was time-consuming: "We waited, without exaggeration, two hours to enter. Children were hot, crying, desperate to get in, but that's life in Cuba, the land of queues."
Though she acknowledged the enjoyable aspects of the visit, she emphasized the prohibitive nature of the prices: "We know prices are very high right now, but this is an aquarium where some children can afford to visit, and others cannot. Those prices were truly excessive."
She advised future visitors to come prepared with plenty of money, stating, "If you plan to visit the aquarium, be ready and well-prepared financially because it's tough to tell your child, 'You can't do this,' or 'I can't buy you that.' It's better not to take them in the first place," warned @bichota_de_cuba_2712 as she concluded her video.
Economic Realities in Cuba
The testimony is even more striking when compared to the island's salary reality. According to the January-April 2026 ONEI bulletin, the average monthly salary in the business and budgeted system was 7,074.1 pesos, equivalent to about 12 or 13 dollars on the informal exchange market, while the monthly basic basket exceeds 96,000 pesos, roughly 14 times that salary.
In this context, a pulled pork sandwich priced at 1,000 pesos represents nearly 14% of the average monthly income of a typical worker.
This pattern of exorbitant pricing is evident in other recreational spaces. Jalisko Park in Vedado charges 1,000 pesos per person, totaling 4,000 pesos for a family of four. Meanwhile, Los Caballitos Park in Artemisa, reopened under private management, charges between 100 and 500 pesos per ride. One Cuban mother spent 5,600 pesos in a single afternoon outing with her daughter at a private park.
Understanding the Financial Strain of Cuba's Recreational Costs
Why are prices at Cuba's National Aquarium so high?
The high prices are part of an effort by the festival organizers to attract external funding for the maintenance of the aquarium. However, these costs are seen as prohibitive for many Cuban families.
How do the aquarium prices compare to the average Cuban salary?
Given that the average monthly salary is about 7,074.1 pesos, items like a 1,000-peso sandwich can represent a significant portion, approximately 14%, of a worker's monthly income.
Are there more affordable recreational options in Cuba?
While some parks like Jalisko Park and Los Caballitos offer recreational activities, their pricing can also be quite steep, limiting accessibility for average Cuban families.