A Mexican traveler named Martín, who runs the social media account "Martín y la Cubana" alongside his Cuban partner, recently shared a video on TikTok detailing his experience after returning from Cuba. This candid account quickly gained traction and went viral.
In the one-minute and 35-second clip, Martín prefaces his thoughts by acknowledging that his opinion might spark controversy, but he doesn't hold back: "Honestly, I didn't just like it; I loved it." This clever play on words captures the essence of his entire video: unfiltered and genuine enthusiasm.
Martín openly admits to experiencing Cuba's power outages, mosquito bites, and shortages of essential goods firsthand. Despite these challenges, he insists he enjoyed "every minute, every second" of his time on the island.
During his visit, he explored Varadero, attended parties, and embraced local camping experiences. He also fell in love with the local cuisine, particularly praising the "caldosas" and roast pork. Martín humorously mentions the "planchados," filtered alcohol, and sugar as inevitable — yet enjoyable — aspects of everyday Cuban life.
His immersion in the local culture is evident in his language usage, effortlessly incorporating expressions like "chévere" and "hijito" throughout the video. This relatable tone helped amplify his reach across social platforms.
"Cuba is truly beautiful despite the hardships; you can really enjoy it," Martín concludes, teasing a "second season" of his adventures. He humorously notes that upon his return, the first thing he'll request is coffee.
The video amassed over 86,600 views on TikTok and 134,000 on Facebook, where it also garnered more than 13,000 likes and 805 comments.
Exploring Cuba Through a Traveler's Eyes
What challenges did Martín face during his trip to Cuba?
Martín experienced power outages, mosquito bites, and shortages of essential goods while in Cuba.
What aspects of Cuba did Martín particularly enjoy?
Martín enjoyed the local cuisine, including "caldosas" and roast pork, as well as the cultural experiences in Varadero, parties, and camping.