Cubans are flocking to the beach in record numbers before a possible end to the U.S. travel ban that would open the gates to American tourists and bump up prices.

Until 2008, the Communist government banned Cubans from tourist hotels. Since then, the industry has been shocked at how many Cubans check in: 1.2 million permanent Cuban residents last year, up 23 percent from 2013 .

Nearly 80,000 Cubans have stayed at Melia properties this year, a 35 percent jump from this time last year.

Cuba received a record 3 million foreign tourists in 2014, and visits were up 17 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of 2015 .

While tourism in Cuba is still specifically banned, some Americans manage to visit and find their way to a beach.

Most Cubans lack that luxury.

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