A Cuban family documented their day at Jalisco Park, a popular amusement park in Havana's Vedado neighborhood, revealing that their outing cost over 14,700 pesos. This amount translates to more than two average monthly salaries in Cuba.
The video, shared by content creator Zona Pau on Facebook, has garnered over 37,000 views and meticulously breaks down every expense from entry fees to rides and meals.
Currently, the park's admission is 1,000 pesos per person, which includes a drink—beer for adults, soda for kids—and a snack: nachos for adults and cookies for children. This fee grants unlimited access to all attractions, a change from the previous system where individual stickers had to be purchased for each ride.
"Now the entry is a thousand pesos per person, whereas earlier it was around a hundred and something, 200, I don't remember well, but it included absolutely nothing," Zona Pau explained.
High Costs of Dining at Jalisco Park
The cost of food quickly escalated for the family. They spent nearly 7,700 pesos on pizzas, priced at 2,550 pesos each, which the park orders from an external establishment and charges separately. Chicken fajitas added another 3,654 pesos, plus croquettes and fries.
The second part of the bill, amounting to 7,076 pesos, covered games and other expenses. Among the attractions, a plush toy machine charges 350 pesos for merely 20 seconds of play. The park has also introduced new features like a pool table and video game machines.
"The other part of the bill was 7,076 pesos, totaling over 14,700, which I find reasonable for the quality and quantity of things we consumed," the video creator commented, describing the experience positively despite the expense.
Stark Economic Reality for Cuban Families
The menu at Jalisco Park, shared on social media, lists items such as a mixed platter for 4,180 pesos, carbonara spaghetti for 3,245 pesos, and a chicken burger for 2,310 pesos. Even pizza toppings cost up to 825 pesos per ingredient.
These figures starkly contrast with the economic reality faced by most Cuban families. In a country where the average monthly salary is approximately 6,930 pesos (less than $12 at the informal exchange rate), and the basic basket of goods exceeds 96,000 pesos, few can afford Jalisco Park's prices.
In June, a person recounted on Facebook how they had to leave with their children without entering because they couldn't afford the 1,000 pesos per person entry fee.
"I went with my kids, full of excitement for them to have some fun, but had to turn back because I didn't have that money, and even if I did, I wouldn't pay it," they wrote.
Located at 23 and 18 in Vedado, the park reopened in July 2023 under the management of the "Pekín" non-agricultural cooperative, initially promising free entry for children and just 50 pesos for adults. Since then, the prices have only climbed. Even back then, Cuban parents reported needing up to 20,000 pesos for a full family visit with meals included.
This pattern is reflected in other recreational spaces across the country. A water park in Ciego de Ávila charges 500 pesos for just 30 minutes of children's swim time, while El Mambisito park in Holguín is in ruins, with missing roofs and non-operational attractions.
FAQs about Jalisco Park and Economic Challenges in Cuba
What is the current entry fee for Jalisco Park?
The entry fee for Jalisco Park is currently 1,000 pesos per person, which includes a drink and snack, along with access to all attractions.
How do Jalisco Park's prices compare to the average Cuban salary?
The cost of a day at Jalisco Park significantly exceeds the average Cuban monthly salary of approximately 6,930 pesos, making it unaffordable for many families.