On Cuba’s sun‑drenched shores, where turquoise waves have long carried the promise of escape, an unusual quiet has begun to settle. Resorts that once hummed with the laughter of guests and the steady rhythm of daily service are closing their doors or consolidating operations. A severe fuel shortage is straining the island’s tourism sector, slowing buses, grounding generators, and leaving hotel corridors unusually still.

Tourism has long been a pillar of Cuba’s economy, drawing visitors with its beaches, historic cities, and vibrant culture. But this year, the rhythm of life in resorts from Cayo Coco to Varadero has been interrupted not by storms or seasonal lulls, but by the scarcity of fuel essential for transport, energy, and services. Guests are being relocated to fewer operational properties as the industry seeks to maintain vital operations with limited resources.

The crisis extends beyond the resorts. Public transportation has slowed dramatically in Havana, hospitals plan cutbacks on non-urgent care, and rolling power outages have become a daily reality. In this context, the tourist industry—once thought resilient because of its foreign-exchange earnings—is forced to adapt, highlighting the fragility of even Cuba’s most robust sectors.

Officials describe the resort closures and relocations as part of a strategy to consolidate tourism operations while conserving fuel. Measures are being considered to allow controlled fuel imports and prioritize essential services, but uncertainty lingers. The empty halls and silent lobbies of once-bustling resorts are a reminder of how deeply the energy crisis touches the everyday life of an island that has long relied on its tourism to welcome the world.

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