A Cuban couple has disclosed in a Facebook video the expenses they incurred traveling from Santiago de Cuba to Macapá in northern Brazil. Their journey cost $2,130 per person and was completed in under a week.
This account, shared by user Isac Dayanet, outlines the costs involved in a migration route that passes through Suriname to reach Brazil's Amapá state. This route has become a popular option for many Cubans considering a similar journey.
"Some people are charged a complete package, but in our case, we paid each segment separately to the same individuals," the migrant explains in the video.
The Costly Path from Cuba to Brazil
The initial leg of the trip, a flight from Santiago de Cuba to Suriname, was the most expensive at $1,480 per person, paid in cash upon arrival in the South American country, which does not require a visa for Cuban citizens.
Upon reaching Suriname, the couple spent a night in a house before continuing to Macapá. This second leg cost $650 and included travel by car, boat, and bus.
"Once in Suriname, we stayed one night in a house and then made our way to Macapá. That journey cost $650, covering transport by car, boat, and bus," they recount.
Arriving in Macapá
In Macapá, they stayed for two days with accommodation and meals included in the travel price. The migrants also had the option to pay more to reduce travel time: "We could pay a bit extra and complete the journey in less than a week."
Challenges and Choices Along the Route
The Cuba-Suriname-Amapá corridor represents a documented path of the Cuban exodus to Brazil. The Brazilian Federal Police has investigated networks charging exceedingly high fees compared to local rates. According to G1/Globo reports, the Oiapoque-Macapá segment alone can cost a Cuban up to four times what a Brazilian would pay for the same journey.
This Cuban's testimony emerges amid a historic surge in Cuban migration to Brazil. In 2025, Cubans surpassed Venezuelans as the largest group seeking asylum in Brazil for the first time, with 41,919 applications—an 88.1% increase from the previous year.
In the first four months of 2026, there were already 13,414 new Cuban asylum applications, representing 58% of the national total during that period, according to data from Brazil's International Migration Observatory.
The economic crisis, power outages, food shortages, and political repression are driving thousands of Cubans to pay over two thousand dollars and face significant risks to reach Brazilian soil, where the asylum process is relatively straightforward.
"If you're a Cuban living in Brazil, share your journey with us in the comments. Was it more expensive, cheaper?" Dayanet concludes in the video, which garnered over 30,000 views within days.
Understanding the Cuban Migration to Brazil
Why are Cubans choosing Brazil as a destination?
Cubans are drawn to Brazil due to its relatively accessible asylum process and the severe economic and political conditions in Cuba, including food shortages and political repression.
How much does it cost to travel from Cuba to Brazil?
The journey from Santiago de Cuba to Macapá, Brazil, costs approximately $2,130 per person, covering flights and overland travel through Suriname.
What are the risks involved in the Cuba-Brazil migration route?
Migrants face financial challenges due to high costs, alongside potential legal and safety risks during their journey through multiple countries.