Internet & Communication
Internet in Cuba — The Reality
Internet in Cuba is slow, expensive, and restricted — but it's getting better. There is no nationwide Wi-Fi and no mobile internet for tourists. You need an ETECSA card (Cuba's telecom monopoly) or an eSIM.
Options
- ETECSA Card (Nauta): Prepaid cards for Wi-Fi hotspots (1–2 USD/hour). Available at ETECSA offices (expect a queue!) or from street vendors (markup). The card works at all public Wi-Fi hotspots — in parks, hotels, and squares. Speed: slow.
- Hotel Wi-Fi: Most hotels have Wi-Fi — often with an ETECSA card or their own card at the reception.
- eSIM: Some international eSIM providers offer Cuba packages — check before the trip if your provider covers Cuba. The best option, if available.
EU Roaming
EU roaming does NOT apply in Cuba! Turn off data roaming, or you risk astronomical costs. Cuba is not in the EU and has no roaming agreements with European providers.
💡 Tipp
Download everything you need BEFORE the trip: offline maps (Maps.me or Google Maps Offline), translation apps, travel guide PDFs. Plan the internet as a conscious experience — 30 minutes in the park, check emails, then put the phone away. It's liberating.
