Returning to Cuba After Five Years: A Cuban Woman's Stressful Journey

A young Cuban woman living in the United States recently took to TikTok to share her exhausting journey of preparing to return to Cuba after a five-year absence. Her video quickly gained traction, amassing nearly 128,000 views in just a few days.

Danielle Machado (@danielamachado2002) uploaded the first installment of her travel vlog series last Wednesday, expressing how the experience caught her off guard: "I never thought going back to Cuba would be this stressful until it happened to me."

One of the first insights she offered was that she kept her trip a secret until the video was released: "I always said I wouldn't tell anyone, so everything would work out," she explained.

The stress began the moment she booked her ticket and lingered throughout her preparations: "Every single day, I'd remember something I forgot to pack," she admitted.

She succinctly captured the reason for this forgetfulness with a sentiment many Cuban emigrants can relate to: "How could I not forget something when everything is needed back there."

This ongoing scarcity on the island shattered her initial plan to travel light. Danielle had intended to bring "just one suitcase" and avoid "overpacking," but reality struck: "When it came time to pack, one suitcase wasn't enough, and I had to prepare another," she recounted, mentioning that even her carry-on was overflowing.

Time constraints also added to her challenges: she had to prepare for the trip immediately after returning from Corpus Christi, with limited days to get organized.

To expedite her shopping, she turned to TikTok Shop: "Since I use TikTok Shop, I ordered most things from there," she noted, a growing trend among Cubans in the U.S. preparing their luggage.

Her pre-trip exhaustion seeped into her daily routine as well. Danielle revealed she hadn't cooked for about a week and had no plans to do so before leaving, opting instead for food delivery via DoorDash or Uber Eats.

"I'm super lazy about going places," she joked, before recommending her favorite pizza place for delivery.

This type of narrative has become a solid trend on TikTok throughout 2025 and 2026, with emigrated Cubans documenting their travels back to the island, capturing audiences who resonate with every detail, from luggage stress to the joy of family reunions.

Danielle's experience isn't unique: another Cuban woman who returned after five years shared a moving reunion with her father in March, which also went viral on the platform.

Danielle's video marks the beginning of a series chronicling her trip, allowing her followers to see how this long-anticipated and luggage-laden return unfolds.