Cuban Woman Finds Surprising Similarities Between Veracruz and Havana: "It Reminded Me So Much"

A Cuban TikTok user, known as @maryfraaventuras, has stirred up excitement online by sharing a video describing her visit to Veracruz, a Mexican city that unexpectedly reminded her of her hometown, Havana. In her viral TikTok video, she highlighted the striking resemblances between the two cities. “The Malecón, the fortress, the colonial buildings, and that old-world charm... at night, the view reminded me so much of Havana,” the young Cuban enthusiastically explained.

Another captivating aspect of Veracruz for her was the locals' passion for dance. According to her account, the city is brimming with salsa and danzón enthusiasts. “I was mesmerized watching them; they’re incredible salsa dancers. It’s the same in Cuba. There are young people who dance danzón, and I was fascinated by how it's preserved here too,” she expressed.

The local cuisine also caught her attention, particularly the abundance of seafood. “There’s a seafood restaurant on every corner. Veracruz is surrounded by sea, but in Havana, although it also is, there’s no seafood or fish,” she remarked.

She further shared her astonishment upon experiencing the famous “norte” of Veracruz, a meteorological phenomenon characterized by powerful winds. “I thought it was like the ones in Cuba, but no… This norte comes with pure winds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour. I stayed inside for an entire day because I was scared to go out. No rain, just wind,” she recounted.

Finally, she noted that regardless of the weather, there are always men at the port who earn a living by diving into the water to retrieve starfish and conch shells for sale. “I have some conch shells that were brought up from the sea floor for me,” she stated with excitement.

The video has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with both Cubans and Mexicans commenting on the similarities between Veracruz and Havana and sharing their personal experiences in both cities.