HAVANA TIMES – Canada-Cuba tourism has taken a major hit in early 2025. The number of Canadian tourists in Cuba dropped by 30 percent in Q1 compared to the same time last year, according to industry data. Once Canada’s top Caribbean destination, Cuba is now struggling with growing dissatisfaction among Canadian travelers due to poor infrastructure, electricity outages, and overall travel discomfort.
Cuba’s economic crisis has created persistent shortages of food, fuel, and basic medical supplies. These issues, once mostly experienced by locals, are now affecting tourists directly. Visitors have reported issues like unreliable power, poor hotel maintenance, and even unclean conditions in resort towns.
Travel agencies across Canada are seeing declining interest in Cuba vacations. According to Amra Durakovic of Flight Centre Canada, Canadian tourists are actively avoiding Cuba in favor of more reliable destinations like Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. "People are concerned about cleanliness, electricity and access to essentials. The lack of consistent services in Cuba makes planning a holiday there very stressful,” Durakovic said.
The Canadian government’s travel advisory for Cuba was recently updated, warning travelers about limited availability of basic goods and highlighting frequent, extended power outages. Canadian travelers are being advised to pack necessary medications and to be prepared for service interruptions throughout their stay. Even though some of Cuba’s luxury resorts are equipped with backup generators, the overall experience has been compromised. Visitors have reported broken water systems, uncollected trash, and increased petty theft—all contributing to the perception that Cuba is no longer the carefree, affordable paradise it once was for Canadian vacationers.
The sharp drop in Canadian tourists in Cuba is causing a ripple effect through the island’s economy. Many resort workers and small businesses dependent on tourism are now facing serious income loss. While some loyal Canadian travelers still visit Cuba for its history and people, many are now questioning whether travel to Cuba is ethical, given the contrast between tourist luxury and local hardship.
The broader implication is a shift in Caribbean tourism trends. Countries offering better services, safety, and infrastructure are now attracting Canadian travelers who once defaulted to Cuba. If Cuba doesn’t act swiftly to resolve infrastructure and safety challenges, it risks losing a vital tourism market permanently.
Cuba has witnessed a dramatic decline in Canadian tourism in early 2025, with the number of Canadian visitors dropping by thirty percent compared to the same period last year. This significant decrease comes as Canadian travelers increasingly choose more reliable and comfortable destinations in the Caribbean, such as Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
The primary reasons for this shift include Cuba’s deteriorating infrastructure, frequent power outages, inadequate hotel maintenance, and growing safety concerns. These challenges have made Cuba less appealing for Canadian tourists who once flocked to the island for its sunny beaches, cultural heritage, and affordable travel experiences.
With ongoing shortages of essential goods and services, Cuba now faces the risk of losing its position as one of the top Caribbean destinations for Canadian travelers unless it addresses these pressing issues. Tourism between Canada and Cuba has witnessed a significant downturn in early 2025, with a marked decrease in the number of Canadian visitors to the island. Industry data reveals a thirty percent drop in Canadian tourists during the first quarter compared to the same period in 2024.
Once Cuba’s primary source of international visitors, Canada now appears to be steering away from the Caribbean destination as dissatisfaction with the country’s infrastructure, safety, and overall visitor experience escalates.
Cuba has long been a popular vacation spot for Canadians, known for its sunny beaches, rich cultural history, and affordable travel options. However, in recent years, the country’s economic crisis has exacerbated problems that directly impact tourists, with food, fuel, and medical supply shortages becoming increasingly prevalent. These issues, initially felt only by the local population, have now extended to foreign visitors.
Tourists in Cuba are experiencing ongoing power outages, poor hotel maintenance, and unclean conditions in key resort areas, all of which have contributed to growing frustration and disillusionment. The worsening economic crisis in Cuba has led to a series of challenges for travelers, undermining the quality of their vacations.
Essential goods and services are in short supply, resulting in severe disruptions for tourists. Electricity outages are frequent and unpredictable, affecting not only the comfort of visitors but also the operation of services within hotels and resorts. Many travelers report long periods without power, making basic activities like charging devices and enjoying air conditioning a challenge.
Furthermore, water systems in some hotels and resorts have broken down, with guests being forced to deal with unreliable plumbing. Many Canadian tourists are also complaining about the poor condition of their accommodations, which once were known for their value. Reports of dirty rooms, uncollected trash, and neglected maintenance are common.
These issues make tourists feel that the island’s once-carefree charm has been overshadowed by a lack of proper services. The situation has created an unpleasant and stressful experience, discouraging Canadians from returning to Cuba for future vacations.
As the conditions worsen, travel agencies across Canada are noticing a significant shift in consumer preferences. Travelers are increasingly opting for more reliable destinations, such as Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. These countries, by comparison, offer better infrastructure, consistent services, and a more stable environment, all of which are important factors when planning a holiday.
The issues in Cuba have become so widespread that many Canadian travelers have outright abandoned their plans to visit the island in favor of destinations that can guarantee a better experience. Safety and cleanliness have become major concerns for Canadian tourists visiting Cuba.
The Canadian government has updated its travel advisory for the island, warning tourists about the growing shortage of basic goods and services. Travelers are now advised to bring their own essential medications, and to be prepared for extended service disruptions during their stays. The advisory highlights Cuba’s struggle to meet basic needs for both residents and visitors, especially in the face of ongoing power outages and limited availability of supplies.
Despite the presence of backup generators in some luxury resorts, the overall experience of travelers in Cuba has suffered. Reports of broken water systems, increased petty theft, and unsanitary conditions in resort towns are all contributing factors to the perception that Cuba is no longer the affordable paradise it once was for Canadian vacationers.
The allure of Cuba, once rooted in its value and pristine beauty, has dimmed considerably, especially for those who seek a seamless travel experience. The decline in Canadian tourism to Cuba has profound implications not only for the island’s economy but also for the broader Caribbean tourism industry.
Cuba has long relied on Canadian visitors, who have historically made up the largest portion of international tourists to the island. The drastic drop in Canadian arrivals is now sending shockwaves through the country’s economy, particularly in areas that depend heavily on tourism for income.
Many Canadian travelers are now questioning the ethics of visiting Cuba. The contrast between the luxury accommodations in resort areas and the hardships faced by local residents has prompted a reevaluation of travel choices. For some, the stark inequality between the tourist experience and the reality of everyday life for Cubans has made them reconsider whether they want to support the island’s tourism sector.
This moral dilemma is contributing to the decline in Canadian visitors, as people feel increasingly uncomfortable with the disparity between their holiday indulgence and the struggles of the local population. If Cuba does not act quickly to address these infrastructure issues and improve the safety and comfort of its tourist accommodations, it risks losing a significant portion of its market permanently.
The growing dissatisfaction among Canadian tourists is part of a larger shift in Caribbean travel trends. Countries that offer more reliable services, better infrastructure, and enhanced safety are now attracting the attention of Canadian travelers who once favored Cuba.
Canadian tourism to Cuba has sharply declined in early 2025, with a thirty percent drop in visitors due to ongoing infrastructure failures, power outages, and safety concerns, causing travelers to shift to more reliable Caribbean destinations.
