Epidemics, diplomatic warnings, and military operations in the Caribbean are driving away traditional travelers.
14ymedio, Havana, 7 January 2026 — The closure of the Havanatur office in France on January 1st serves as a clear picture of the collapse Cuba is undergoing. The main state-owned tourism company ceased operations after being unable to pay the mandatory insurance that allowed it to operate in the French market, a basic failure that led it to declare insolvency. From the outside, it is a shuttered business; from the inside, it is confirmation that the Cuban tourism model has run out of steam.
This comes at a particularly delicate moment. The high season is progressing with figures in the red, confirming that tourism is continuing to lose ground. Cuba closed 2025 with around 1.9 million visitors, well below the modest 2.6 million forecast by the government.
This setback was compounded in 2025 by a decisive factor: the widespread epidemic of chikungunya and dengue viruses throughout the country, in addition to COVID-19. The deterioration of sanitary conditions—marked by the accumulation of garbage, shortages of drinking water, and prolonged power outages—has exacerbated an already critical health situation and once again exposed a health system lacking medicines, supplies, and sufficient personnel.
The international response came quickly. On December 12, Spain updated its health alert and recommended not going to the island without prior vaccination against the dreaded chikungunya virus, in addition to warning about the precarious state of medical facilities. Other diplomatic advisories recommended extreme caution, carrying complete first-aid kits, and purchasing comprehensive medical insurance, warnings that for many travelers serve as the final straw in the decision-making process.
The situation has affected Canada, the main source of international travelers to Cuba, which sent 20% fewer tourists to the island in 2025. The regional outlook has created a perception among Canadians that it is not a good time to visit this part of the Caribbean.
Canada, the main source of travelers, sent 20% fewer tourists to the island in 2025.
The recent military escalation in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces introduced a new concerning factor in the region. Although official warnings focused on Venezuelan territory, airlines such as Air Canada are offering facilities to modify itineraries to several nearby destinations, and agencies reported travelers rethinking their plans in the face of uncertainty. Regional security experts agree that the strong military presence in the Caribbean and the unpredictability of the political scenario increase the perception of risk, even in areas traditionally considered safe.
Compared to Cuba, places such as the Riviera Maya in Mexico or Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic appear to be safer options. The appeal is no longer just the beach, but the certainty that vacations will not be disrupted by power outages, shortages, or health alerts.
This is how Catalina and Nicolás Méndez, a Mexican couple who spent New Year’s Eve at a hotel in Punta Cana, explained it. Talking to 14ymedio, they said that they considered traveling to Cuba but ruled out the idea. “We checked the prices because we thought it would be cheaper than the Dominican Republic, but it wasn’t. That’s why we decided to come here, because we are a little scared about Cuba, and even more so with all the chaos in Venezuela,” they said.
While neighboring destinations report high occupancy rates and expansion of air routes, in Cuba luxury hotels coexist with cities without a stable water supply, mountains of garbage, and hospitals without resources.
Translated by GH
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