Cuban Resorts Hit Hard by Worsening Fuel Crisis- What You Need to Know
February 9, 2026 Team Contibutor
Cuba has long been a top pick overseas destination for Canadian sun-seekers. A long time budget-friendly Caribbean hotspot remains a perennial favourite, with many travellers choosing an all-inclusive vacation in Cuba over similar options in Mexico or the Dominican Republic.
While many Canadians appreciate the secure and predictable “resort bubble” and the opportunity to explore cities like Havana on foot, in the wake of the US-led oil embargo, the Cuban tourism industry is being hit hard.
As of early February 2026, this backyard destination is facing severe challenges, prompting the Canadian government to issue a travel update urging a “high degree of caution.” The official advisory cites “worsening shortages of electricity, fuel, and basic necessities, including food, water, and medicine, which can also affect resorts.”
Resort shutdowns and energy Rationing
Once bustling with tourists, many resorts in Cuba are suspended or shutting down due to a critical energy shortage. Industry sources suggest the island had roughly 15–20 days of fuel reserves as of late January, and experts warn there may not be enough aviation fuel (Jet A-1) to sustain operations through the next month.
What is causing the crisis? The tourism industry, the backbone of the Cuban economy, has been hit hardest following the cessation of fuel shipments from Venezuela under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. With threats of tariffs against countries attempting to supply oil to the island, the situation has escalated rapidly over the last 48 hours. This has plagued several major properties, including prominent beach resorts on the northern coast of Cayo Coco.
The government response
The Cuban government has implemented extraordinary measures to manage the shortage for its 2 million residents in Havana. These include:
- Reducing public transportation routes.
- Trimming office hours for state employees.
- Moving university courses to online platforms.
In the tourism sector, a “consolidation” plan is now in effect. This strategy involves shifting tourists from various resorts into a smaller number of high-occupancy hotels to conserve fuel and energy.
Affected resorts and suspended operations
According to reports from major Canadian tour operators like Air Canada Vacations, Transat and Sunwing, the following resorts have seen suspended operations or significant service changes:
Cayo Coco / Cayo Guillermo (CCC)
- Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar
- Gran Muthu Imperial Cayo Guillermo
- Iberostar Origin Daiquiri
- Tryp Cayo Coco
- Hotel Mojito
Cayo Santa Maria (SNU)
- Valentin Perla Blanca
- Sol Cayo Santa Maria
- Melia Buenavista
Varadero (VRA)
Holguin (HOG)
As this is a developing story, Canada Travel News observes that this list may expand in the coming days.
Brace for flight disruptions
A critical update issued today, February 9, 2026, warns of a potential total depletion of aviation fuel (Jet A-1). Airlines operating in Havana and other major hubs have been notified that refueling on the island may soon be impossible.
This could result in:
- Technical Stops: Flights may be forced to stop in third countries, such as the Bahamas or the U.S. (Florida), to refuel before returning to Canada.
- Cancellations: Outright flight disruptions and cancellations are increasingly likely if the fuel supply is not restored.
The crisis extends beyond tourism; sentiment against U.S.-led sanctions is growing as resort workers lose their livelihoods and local families are impacted. Aside from major hurricanes, Cuba has not seen shutdowns of this scale in over two decades.
Essential advice for Cuba-bound travellers
If you have a trip booked between now and April 30, 2026, some Canadian operators have introduced flexible policies to manage the uncertainty:
- Relocation: If your hotel is scheduled for closure, you will likely be moved to a nearby property of equal or higher standing. (For example, guests from Hotel Mojito are currently being relocated to Sol Cayo Coco).
- Flexible Rebooking: Many operators are allowing travellers to change their dates, hotel, or even their destination without penalty if their specific resort is affected.
- Monitor Advisories: Always check the latest status from Global Affairs Canada. The “high degree of caution” remains in place due to unpredictable shortages of food, medicine, and water, even within the resort zones.
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