A Cuban's Journey in Uruguay: From Surviving to Truly Living

"One morning you wake up and realize you're no longer just surviving—you're actually living." This profound thought comes from a Cuban woman living in Uruguay, who shared her insight into why, despite the high cost of living in the South American nation, emigrating has allowed her to regain something she missed in Cuba: the peace of working, buying necessities, and building a stable future.

Identified on Facebook as Danis, she posted a video comparing her experiences in both countries, challenging the notion that the price of goods and services is the sole measure of a destination's quality of life.

"People say Uruguay is expensive, but no one talks about this," she begins, acknowledging that criticisms about the cost of living do have merit. "Many people say Uruguay is pricey, that it's a small country for so many people, and they're absolutely right," she admits.

However, Danis highlights a crucial distinction between living in a place where products are expensive and another where, in addition to costly items, essential goods are scarce.

Uruguay isn't flawless, and adapting isn't always easy," she states. But she quickly points out what she considers the most important aspect of her experience: "There's something rarely discussed when talking about the cost of living in a country, and that's the actual value of the life you lead."

Her reflection revolves around a simple idea: just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's unattainable for someone who earns enough income. "Yes, Uruguay is costly, but expensive doesn't always mean impossible. It's one thing for something to have a high price, and quite another to be unable to access it," she clarifies.

Danis draws on her experience in Cuba to explain why this distinction is so significant to her. "In my country, Cuba, it's not just expensive, but also scarce. You can't find what you need or buy what you want when you need it," she explains.

She describes the exhaustion from long waits and the uncertainty of not knowing when a necessary item might become available. This stark contrast with her current routine in Uruguay, where she highlights the ability to use her earnings to meet everyday needs, is a relief.

"Here, everything is different. You work, earn, and then you can go and purchase what you need. Uruguay offers tranquility, calm, and peace," she summarizes.

Danis doesn't paint her journey as one without challenges. She acknowledges that starting over far from family, familiar customs, and known surroundings involves hurdles that don't vanish even in a country with better opportunities. Yet, she speaks of the nostalgia and uncertainty that accompany the migration process.

"Adapting is tough, of course. You miss things, you compare, you doubt, and there are tough days," she admits. And it's precisely after mentioning these difficulties that she delivers the phrase encapsulating her video's message:

"But one day you wake up and realize you're no longer just surviving; you're truly living."

For Danis, this transformation is closely tied to the ability to plan, trust in the results of her labor, and regain some predictability in everyday life. "You start to feel stable, you start to trust that your efforts are worthwhile," she expresses.

Uruguay is becoming increasingly important as a destination for Cuban migrants. Danis's story emerges at a time when the nation has become a key location for Cuban emigration to South America.

The quest for economic opportunities, greater stability, and the chance to legally settle has led thousands of islanders to embark on journeys often crossing multiple countries. In October, a report on the migration route from Cuba to Uruguay, passing through Guyana and Brazil, documented how thousands use this path to reach the South American country.

Between January and October 2025, over 11,000 Cubans crossed the joint migration checkpoint of Santana do Livramento-Rivera, at the Brazil-Uruguay border, according to data cited in the report. The journey can involve traveling thousands of miles, incurring high expenses, and facing difficulties along the way. Therefore, arriving at their destination doesn't always mean the end of their challenges.

In September, two young Cubans living in Uruguay responded to criticisms about the increasing influx of migrants from the island, urging those questioning this movement to consider the reasons why so many decide to leave Cuba. They cited power outages, food scarcity, difficulties obtaining medications, and other hardships faced by many Cuban families.

However, integrating newly arrived migrants also presents significant challenges, particularly in documentation and immigration regularization. By the end of June 2026, Uruguay had 30,715 pending asylum applications, with approximately 89% from Cuban citizens, according to the Commission for Refugees (CORE).

The backlog prompted complaints from those who had been waiting for years for a response. In early October, it was revealed that only 52 Cubans had been formally recognized as refugees despite the high volume of applications.

In response, on October 8, 2026, the Uruguayan government approved a decree establishing a new permanent residency route based on residency ties, potentially benefiting numerous Cuban migrants.

The measure targets certain foreigners who legally entered the country before January 1, 2026, and have a pending asylum request, which they must withdraw to adopt the new procedure, or have received a firm rejection.

Residency is not granted automatically. Applicants must prove, among other requirements, identity, criminal background, and means of livelihood. The decree will take effect 90 days after its official publication.