The temporary closure of several hotels in Cuba's main tourist hubs has forced major Canadian tour operators to adjust their policies amid a fuel shortage affecting flights and reservations. The Cuban government acknowledged that the country will run out of aviation fuel for at least one month, impacting all international airports. Airlines like Transat and Iberia have introduced flexible measures for affected travelers.
In recent weeks, low-occupancy hotels in Cayo Santa María, Cayo Coco, Varadero, and Holguín have suspended operations due to the 2026 energy contingency and the island's fuel shortage. This has led to guest relocations and contract reviews with foreign tour operators.
According to Transat, as of February 6, 2026, the following hotels in Cayo Santa María remained closed: Valentin Perla Blanca, Sol Cayo Santa María, and Melia Buenavista. In Cayo Coco, operations ceased at Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar, Gran Muthu Imperial Cayo Guillermo, Iberostar Origin Daiquiri, Tryp Cayo Coco, and Hotel Mojito. In Varadero, the Hotel El Patriarca was closed, and in Holguín, the Gran Muthu Ensenada was suspended.
Transat announced flexible policies for travelers arriving between February 7 and April 30, 2026, to affected hotels: changes to dates, hotels, or destinations without penalty, or credits valid for one year upon cancellation. Air Canada Vacations offers similar flexibility for packages purchased before February 5 with flights between the 6th and 25th of that month, allowing date changes or one-year credits.
The Cuban government acknowledged on February 8, 2026, per EFE, that the country will run out of aviation fuel for at least one month, affecting all international airports. WestJet has eased policies for flights to Havana, Varadero, Cienfuegos, Cayo Largo, Holguín, and Santa Clara until February 25, with no extra fees, though a $200 Canadian dollars per person penalty applies to vacation packages.
Sunwing Vacations is monitoring the situation and following Canadian government guidelines, without a specific policy yet. Iberia activated fare flexibility for ticketed passengers, allowing date changes, destination modifications, or refunds, while maintaining regular operations. Air Europa will make technical stops in Santo Domingo to refuel on Madrid-Havana routes on February 10, 11, and 12.
These closures, combined with energy uncertainty, underscore the vulnerability of Cuba's tourism model. In context, Mexico sent over 814 tons of humanitarian aid, including milk, meat, and rice, which President Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly thanked. The Cuban Air Navigation Company reaffirmed its 24/7 commitment to air connectivity.
From a personal viewpoint, residents like Irina Pino describe daily disruptions from power cuts up to 14 hours, gasoline shortages raising taxi prices, and suspended public transport, eroding health and morale.
