A Cuban mother recently took to TikTok to reveal the actual costs of attending the Pa'Cuba Festival at Havana's National Aquarium, igniting a wave of criticism over the gap between official claims of "affordable prices for all families" and the reality inside the venue.
The festival, organized by Conex—a branch of Grupo Empresarial Palco—held its fifth edition from June 5 to July 19, 2026. For the first time, the event moved from its usual Pabexpo location to the National Aquarium, aiming to attract external funding for its gradual improvement.
Entrance Fees and Hidden Expenses
Entry fees were set at 150 pesos for adults and 50 pesos for children under 12. However, once inside, visitors faced a different financial reality with high prices for food and attractions.
User @sarasleybi.alfons shared that a pizza cost 1,350 pesos, while two servings of fried rice were priced at 2,000 pesos. Two pieces of fish with rice and salad came to 3,500 pesos, and a children's cart ride could reach up to 15,000 pesos. The water park charged 3,000 pesos for 30 minutes, 10,000 pesos for two hours, or 30 dollars for the entire day.
A Striking Disparity
"I don’t understand when they say the festival is for all families with 'affordable prices,' but a pizza costs 1,350 pesos, two bowls of fried rice cost 2,000, and two pieces of fish with rice and salad cost 3,500 pesos," the video creator remarked.
Her sarcasm was pointed: "I'm still trying to figure out if these 'affordable' prices live in Cuba or come straight from Miami."
The Harsh Economic Reality
The stark contrast with the average Cuban salary is alarming. According to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) and reported by Infobae, the average monthly income in Cuba was about 7,074 pesos in April 2026, roughly equivalent to 13 dollars on the informal exchange market. A basic family visit with entry, food, and a few attractions could easily exceed 10,000 pesos, which is more than a full month's salary.
Regarding the water park, the video's author was blunt: "They say there are no water parks in Cuba. There are. The only catch is you have to sell a kidney to afford the 3,000 pesos for 30 minutes, 10,000 for two hours, or better yet, 30 dollars of the salary you don’t get paid."
Festival Attractions and Aquarium Conditions
The festival featured around 100 private enterprises, video game areas, diving and swimming workshops, and screenings of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. Unfortunately, the dolphinarium was not operational as its restoration required more investment than the event could provide.
The National Aquarium has long suffered from neglect. Since 2025, reports have documented moldy walls, leaks, rusty railings, dirty tanks, and a lack of marine life. Animal Welfare Cuba described the conditions as "deplorable," citing sick animals and turtles with cracked shells.
Historically, regular admission to the Aquarium was 15 pesos for adults and 9 pesos for children. After reopening in October 2021 following a closure, prices increased to 20 pesos for adults and 15 for children. The contrast between those prices and the current ones highlights the extent of the increase.
The video creator concluded with a clarification: "I'm not saying don't go. If you can afford it, your child will have an amazing time. That was my experience. Now you tell me: am I the one exaggerating, or are these prices completely out of touch with reality?"
Understanding the Costs of Visiting Cuba's National Aquarium
What were the entrance fees for the Pa'Cuba Festival at the National Aquarium?
Entrance fees were set at 150 pesos for adults and 50 pesos for children under 12.
How did the food and attraction costs compare to the entrance fees?
Inside the venue, prices were significantly higher, with items like pizza costing 1,350 pesos and a children's cart ride reaching up to 15,000 pesos.
What challenges did the National Aquarium face?
The aquarium has suffered from neglect, with issues such as moldy walls, leaks, rusty railings, and a lack of marine life, as reported by Animal Welfare Cuba.