This Monday, a Cuban woman took a trip to Playa La Herradura in the Jesús Menéndez municipality of Las Tunas province, capturing the eye-popping prices at this popular summer spot in a video. She warned viewers to brace themselves before watching, as they might be "left speechless."
The video, posted by TikToker @bellas_Diame, quickly gained traction, amassing over 53,400 views and 935 shares in just a few hours, highlighting the shock and frustration the prices evoked among Cubans.
Some of the most startling figures from the video include renting a private cabin on the beach for 3,000 pesos, a chair for 300 pesos, and a beer costing between 550 and 600 pesos. A pound of grapes is priced at a staggering 1,400 pesos—"My dad was shocked when he heard the price," the creator recounted—and apples are sold for 600 pesos.
A piña colada served in a disposable cup costs 900 pesos, a bottle of water 800 pesos, and a case of beer reaches an astronomical 11,400 pesos.
At one vendor’s stand, she noted condensed milk at 1,000 pesos, 400 grams of powdered milk for 2,000 pesos, and a kilogram for 4,000 pesos.
The creator mentioned that state-run stalls on the beach—offering ice cream, oysters, fried fish, and spaghetti—are "supposedly a bit cheaper," yet still unaffordable for many: a pizza goes for 300 pesos and a soda or malt for 500 pesos.
"We went just to spend the afternoon; we didn't go to any restaurants or eat out," explained @bellas_Diame, emphasizing that the video showcases the expenses of a typical family outing to the beach.
The stark contrast between these prices and the actual earnings of Cubans is telling. As of April 2026, the average salary in Cuba was 7,074 pesos, with the minimum wage at 3,210 pesos, according to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI). This means a single case of beer on the beach exceeds the entire monthly salary of an average worker.
This issue isn't limited to Las Tunas. Renting a shaded spot at Boca Ciega in Havana surpasses 9,000 pesos, and last summer, meals on Guardalavaca beach reached 2,100 pesos. In Las Tunas itself, the ferry fare to Playa La Boca jumped from 20 to 50 pesos in July, sparking outrage on social media.
All these price hikes occur against the backdrop of Cuba's worst economic crisis in decades: the economy has contracted by 15% since 2020 and dipped another 5% in 2025, with prolonged power outages, fuel shortages, and an actual inflation rate that independent economists estimate at nearly 70% annually—far above the official 14.07%.
As the video creator aptly summarized: "Even spending an afternoon at a simple beach in Cuba has become an impossibly expensive luxury!"
Understanding the Economic Impact on Cuban Beach Prices
What are some of the most expensive items at Playa La Herradura?
Some of the priciest items include a case of beer for 11,400 pesos, a pound of grapes for 1,400 pesos, and a piña colada for 900 pesos.
How do the beach prices compare to the average Cuban salary?
The average salary in Cuba is 7,074 pesos, while the minimum wage is 3,210 pesos. Many beach items, like a case of beer, exceed the monthly salary of an average worker.
Are state-run beach stalls more affordable?
While state-run stalls are reportedly cheaper, they remain largely inaccessible for many, with pizzas at 300 pesos and sodas at 500 pesos.