A Cuban woman, Dani Falcon, shared a video on Facebook detailing her stay at the International Hotel in Varadero, where she spent $150 per night for two people. Her experience was nearly flawless until, just as she was preparing to leave, the National Electric System (SEN) failed, and the hotel's generator couldn't handle the load.
Dani's video begins with a straightforward question: "Is it worth visiting a hotel in Varadero, Cuba right now?" Initially, the answer throughout most of the clip is surprisingly positive.
She embarked on this trip with her daughter, not expecting much, simply seeking a respite from "blackouts and restless nights."
Upon arrival, she was pleasantly surprised by clean, ready rooms, a varied buffet, and several à la carte restaurants that required reservations. The entertainment, she noted, was "10 out of 10," and the beer was "always available in almost every area."
The cost of this experience was $150 per night, a price Dani Falcon herself admitted was "not cheap for the average Cuban."
This statement underscores a harsh reality: with an official average monthly salary of around 7,074 pesos—equivalent to less than $13 at the informal exchange rate—spending just one night at such a hotel costs more than ten average monthly salaries. The minimum official wage is 3,210 pesos, while the basic food basket exceeds 96,000 pesos monthly.
However, the video’s conclusion shattered the illusion that tourist hotels are an untouchable bubble insulated from the crisis. "Just before we left, the famous SEN went down, and the generator couldn't handle it," Falcon reported.
This collapse wasn't an isolated incident. On July 6, a total SEN failure plunged the island into darkness for nearly 24 hours.
Power Struggles in Varadero
Matanzas, the province home to Varadero, has been one of the hardest-hit areas: residents reported up to 85 consecutive hours without electricity in some neighborhoods during June, while hotels operated on private generators with state-prioritized fuel supplies.
This double standard sparked outrage, especially when the "Summer Kickoff 2K26" event at the Hotel Resonance in Varadero kept the lights and music on for 72 hours while the rest of the country remained in darkness. The phrase that went viral on social media captured the sentiment bluntly: "lights for partying, blackouts for everyone else."
Dani Falcon's video adds an uncomfortable layer for the regime: even this seemingly privileged bubble is not impenetrable. Since February, at least eight hotels in Varadero and the keys have closed or suspended operations temporarily due to a lack of diesel for their generators.
Cuba's tourism industry is facing a structural collapse: hotels have slashed prices by up to 25% and offer free transfers to attract visitors, yet they struggle to fill rooms.
The High Cost of Luxury in Cuba
For the average Cuban, however, $150 a night remains a mathematically impossible luxury, and even at that price, there's no guarantee the power will stay on.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis and Tourism Impact
What caused the power outage at the Varadero hotel?
The power outage was due to the collapse of Cuba's National Electric System (SEN), and the hotel's generator was insufficient to handle the demand.
How does the power crisis affect tourism in Cuba?
The power crisis has led to frequent outages, affecting hotel operations and causing closures or temporary suspensions, thereby deterring tourists.
Are luxury hotels in Cuba immune to the country's economic issues?
No, even luxury hotels in Cuba face challenges like power outages and fuel shortages, proving they are not immune to the country's broader economic problems.