A Cuban doctor, known on social media as JAViart de Cuba, shared a reel on Facebook describing what she called "the worst vacation of my life." She paid $315 for an all-inclusive hotel in Varadero for herself, her husband, her daughter, and their six-month-old baby, only to return more exhausted than before.
"I'm a Cuban doctor living in Cuba, and after working tirelessly for a whole year, we decided to treat ourselves," she explains in the video.
The family embarked on a six-hour journey to the island's most renowned tourist destination, filled with excitement, only to find a far cry from the relaxation they had hoped for.
The room, situated on the sixth floor, had central air conditioning that "barely cooled" and lacked hot water. The all-inclusive meals were sparse and of poor quality: unselected rice, only two main courses—fish and beef—without dessert, salad, or ice cream.
Beer and wine were available just once a day during the evening entertainment.
"We arrived with some expectations, given the country's situation, but never imagined it would turn into a horror story," recounted the doctor.
Electricity Outage Worsens Vacation Experience
The situation worsened when the National Electric System collapsed. The hotel went over 24 hours without power, and its generator couldn't keep the air conditioning running.
"Imagine that scenario with a little girl and a six-month-old baby," she said. "I've never experienced such hardship, not even during my student years."
She acknowledged the staff's dedication: "The only positive aspect was the workers' attention. They did everything they could, but good service can't fix infrastructure and organizational issues."
"I didn't make this video to bring anyone down. I did it because when you spend $315 on a vacation, you expect to relax, not come back more tired," the doctor concluded. Her reel has amassed over 477,000 views and nearly 18,000 reactions.
Tourist Complaints Highlight Widespread Issues
This account is not an isolated incident. Facebook user Jitana Melanie reported her experience at the Sol y Mar Hotel in the group "Hotels in Varadero Cuba," stating, "They advertise it as four stars, but it barely reaches two. It wasn't cheap, and the rooms had no power or water. Guests, including children, were sleeping in the lobby and on the floor."
Another visitor to the same hotel with 42 others found leaky bathrooms, rationed bread, shredded chicken, and sugarless desserts.
In July, another Cuban tourist reported similar conditions after paying $150 a night in a Varadero hotel that also lost electricity and water due to the SEN collapse.
Structural Challenges Facing Cuban Tourism
These experiences are explained by the broader structural issues. Cuban tourism is facing its worst crisis in decades: Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz admitted on July 30 to the National Assembly that 73% of the country's hotel facilities remain closed, with approximately 25,000 workers on standby.
From January to April 2026, Cuba welcomed only 328,608 international tourists, a 55.8% decrease compared to the previous year, with national hotel occupancy falling to 21.5%.
The $315 the doctor spent amounts to more than 20 months of a newly graduated Cuban doctor's base salary, which is 7,045 Cuban pesos per month, roughly $10 to $13 at the informal exchange rate.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuban Tourism
Why did the Cuban doctor's vacation turn into a disaster?
The vacation became a disaster due to poor hotel conditions, including inadequate air conditioning, lack of hot water, and limited, low-quality food options. Additionally, a power outage left the hotel without electricity for over 24 hours, worsening the situation.
How severe is the crisis in Cuban tourism?
Cuban tourism is facing its worst crisis in decades, with 73% of hotel facilities closed and a significant drop in international visitors. From January to April 2026, there was a 55.8% decrease in tourists compared to the previous year.
What are the economic implications for workers in the Cuban tourism industry?
The crisis has led to approximately 25,000 hotel workers being placed on standby, reflecting the severe impact on employment within the industry.