Internet in Cuba: 25 Things to Know About WiFi in Cuba in 2021

WiFi in Cuba in 2021

Updated January 24th, 2021

Yes, there is WiFi in Cuba. Internet in Havana has existed for well over a decade, just not in the form that most travelers are used to.

Your ability to connect to the Internet in Havana or elsewhere in Cuba depends on a lot of factors and even if you can connect to the internet, you may not be able to access all your favorite websites and apps.

Since I lead tours in Cuba, help people plan their own trips to Cuba, and wrote a Cuba guidebook, I spend a lot of time in the country and have used the internet (including multiple smartphones and laptops) in every single province. As such, I’ve encountered every single Internet-related challenge imaginable.

Read on to learn what to expect when connecting (or attempting to connect) to WiFi in Cuba but be warned, this post is LONG. Why? Because Internet in Cuba is very complicated and changes quickly but rest assured that this post was thoroughly updated January 24th, 2021, so the information is very accurate.

Travel Visa for Cuba

Also remember that all visitors to Cuba require a travel visa. The visa is typically good for 30 days and can be renewed several times, depending on your country of origin. You can pre-purchase your Cuban travel visa online - just make sure you buy the correct visa. If you are traveling from a US airport, you must purchase the Pink Tourist Card. If you’re traveling to Cuba from any other country, you will purchase a Green Tourist Card. You can also pay your airline for the visa at the airport (and it’s a few dollars cheaper), but this option allows you to pay with a credit card up to 180 days in advance. This option also ships the visa within a few days and offers real-time tracking so you have a bit more security.

1. Internet access in Cuba is rapidly improving

As of January 24th, 2021, there are 1095 WiFi hot spots across the country. Every year, new hot spots pop up, Internet speed improves, and the cost of connecting decreases. In 2017, Google servers went live in Cuba, making them the first foreign internet company to host content in Cuba. You may not be able to jump on WiFi in every single cafe you visit, but know that Internet access has dramatically improved in recent years.

2. HOW TO CONNECT to WiFi in Cuba USING an Internet card

Unlike most countries, it’s not as simple as just connecting to an open network and entering the password. First, you need to buy a NAUTA Internet card and then you can connect to the ETECSA WiFi network. ETECSA is Cuba’s telecommunications company.

Once you turn on WiFi, you’ll select the “ETECSA” network (there won’t be many to chose from) and a screen should pop up asking you to log in. This is where you’ll enter the usario (username) and contraseña (password) found on the back of the scratch-off Internet card. If a log-in screen doesn’t pop up, open the browser and type: “1.1.1.1”.

If you’re still having difficulty connecting to the Internet, disconnect from the network, click “forget this network”, turn off WiFi, then turn it back on and reconnect. If this doesn’t work, turn off your phone and go through the steps again. It doesn’t always work, but often does. For some reason, iPhones tend to have more challenges than other brands.

Etecsa Cuba NAUTA Internet cards are usually available in 1-hour and 5-hour blocks

Enter your username and password from the NAUTA Internet card

3. NAUTA Internet cards can be bought at 5 main places:

ETECSA Cuba office
This is the official way to buy a Nauta Internet card. You’ll need to show your passport and you’re limited to purchasing 3 NAUTA cards at a time. Expect to wait in a long line. Internet cards cost 24 CUP per hour (about USD$1.20). 1-hour and 5-hour cards are the most common and they’re valid for 30 days. Most ETECSA offices are open from 8:30am-7pm but may run out of WiFi cards far sooner.
Hotels
All major hotels sell NAUTA Internet cards that can connect to any ETECSA Cuba public WiFi hotspot (though the hotel may charge extra for the cards). You don’t have to be a guest at the hotel and you don’t have to show your passport to buy an Internet card in hotels. There’s also no long lines in hotels so if you have a few extra dollars to spare, hotels are a more convenient option. A handful of hotels, such as the Habana Libre, sell proprietary cards (about $5 USD/hour) that only connect to the hotel’s own private WiFi.
At the main park (parque central)
There’s almost always someone walking around the main park (parque central) asking “WiFi? Internet”. These people are re-selling NAUTA Internet cards at a premium, usually an extra $1-3 USD/hour. These cards are safe and will save you from waiting in long lines, just be sure to check that the password hasn’t already been scratched off.
Major Airports
Major airports usually sell NAUTA Internet cards. Some airports (such as Jose Martí Airport in Havana) also have a WIFI connection in the airport.
Businesses near the square
In some cities, like Baracoa, restaurants and shops surrounding the WiFi hotspot will sell NAUTA Internet cards on the side. Some casa particular hosts also sell them. If the ETECSA office is closed and there’s no card hustlers roaming the main park, ask around about where you can buy a card.

Schedule a call to plan your Cuba trip!

4. Where to find WiFi in Cuba

How can you find the nearest WiFi hotspot in Cuba? Some apps and websites (such as the ETECSA website) indicate where hotspots are but if you can’t access WiFi to begin with, how are you going to get to the online map? Ask your host (or any stranger on the street) where to find WiFi (pronounced “wee-fee” in Spanish) or stop wherever you see a large number of Cubans staring at their phones.

The vast majority of Cubans and tourists connect to the internet at outdoor public WiFi hotspots. These are usually in popular public parks, plazas, and busy promenades. Though hotel WiFi used to only be accessible from inside the hotel, it’s now strong enough to catch from outside many large hotels.

Internet in Havana can be found most extensively at WiFi spots in La Habana Vieja (Old Havana) and Vedado. In other cities, such as Viñales , Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Santiago, Holguin, Matanzas, Guantanamo, Varadero, and Baracoa, WIFI hotspots are usually scattered in a few main parks and plazas.

It’s totally safe to connect outside, just know it’s not a private Internet connection so be careful when entering credit card info. Keep in mind that you may be standing in the hot sun (or in pouring rain, as I’ve had to do in order to make urgent trip arrangements for clients).

Since Internet can be so hard to come by in Cuba, the last thing you want is to have your phone die as soon as you finally connect to the Internet. Even if you carry a spare charger, you won’t find an outlet outside and may not find one in a restaurant, so I recommend carrying a small portable charger.

Your phone will probably work in Cuba but check with your mobile provider about rates

One of my Cuba group tours in 2016 in the Bay of Pigs, before WiFi was so available

5. Using WiFi at Hotels and Resorts in Cuba

Most hotels and resorts in Cuba have WiFi and many offer 30 minutes to one hour per day in the common areas. If you’d like to use more time, just purchase a WiFi card at reception but realize they may charge three to four times as much as ETECSA. Some resorts are even testing out providing guests 12 hours of WiFi during their stay and the tourism minister has pledged to offer better WiFi access at four and five star hotels. While this is great for hotel guests, it doesn’t help travelers staying in casas particulares and it definitely doesn’t help the average Cuban gain more access to the Internet.

6. Some casas particulares have WiFi

More and more casas particulares are getting WiFi that their guests can connect to in the house. This is definitely much more convenient than having to walk to a WiFi hot spot but know that the host is likely pulling the signal from the nearest WIFI hotspot (they may have what’s called a “booster” to amplify this signal) so the Internet connection may be worse in the house than at the actual hotspot.

Home-based WiFi is not the norm so don’t be disappointed if your casa doesn’t have Internet. Even if a host can afford it, it’s a hassle to get installed. Several casas I work with for my Cuba group tours have had WiFi in their home for a couple years while others still can’t get it.

Even if you connect from the casa, you still need to have a NAUTA Internet card. The only difference is that you’ll connect to whatever the home’s network is (which may have its own passcode) and not to the “ETECSA” network, as you would in the main park (parque central).

PRO TIP: When you connect via a home account, three people can connect at the same time even though time is only deducted from the one card that logged in.

Cuban Casa Particulares with Internet Access

This is a tiny sampling of homes with WiFi in Cuba. For a longer list of Cuban casas particulares with WiFi, check out my blog post on AirBnB in Cuba.

2BR home in Old Havana with WiFi and hammocks

Luxury 2BR in Vedado with WiFi

2BR colonial home in Trinidad with WiFi

1 BR in Cienfuegos colonial home with WiFI

1BR with WiFi near city center in Vinales

2 BR home with WiFi in Bay of Pigs

Varadero 2 BR home with WiFi near the beach

2 BR home in Santiago with terrace and WiFi

Oceanfront room with WiFi in Baracoa

Find more info on the pros and cons of using AirBnB in Cuba along with a list of vetted AirBnBs (many with WiFI) in my blog post on READ THIS before booking an AirBnB in Cuba.

7. Download helpful phone apps BEFORE getting to Cuba

Remember that some apps can be used in Cuba but can’t be downloaded from within the country. Here’s a list of helpful phone apps to download before your trip:

WhatsApp - Great for text, voice messages, voice calls, and video calls.
Google Translate - Not 100% accurate but it gets the job done. Available in iTunes and Google Play. Google Translate has an offline version so you can input a Spanish word you don’t understand (or an English word you’d like to translate into Spanish!). It doesn’t understand Cuban slang but it’s still a really helpful tool. You can also use its camera function to translate menus and signs. Also consider bringing this affordable Cuban Spanish phrasebook.
AirBnB - More info here: Read this before booking an AirBnB in Cuba.
Maps.Me - Invaluable map resource that can be used offline to navigate and find streets, hotels, restaurants, and more.
Google Maps - Download the offline version of a map and you can use it without being connected to WiFi.
Audible - Download a few audio books in advance. With this free trial, you can get this Fidel autobiography for free.
Kindle - Download a few books in advance to read during your trip. Snag this free trial and consider downloading some books about Cuba!
Amazon Music - Snag this free trial and put together your Cuban playlist to listen to on your trip.
Accuweather - This weather is especially helpful if you’re traveling during wet and stormy months (April-May and August-October).
IMO - Similar to WhatsApp or Facebook messenger. It’s extremely popular in Cuba but you may only use it if you plan to chat with Cubans.
AlaMesa - Restaurant finder in Cuba. Though tourists may complain the reviews aren’t accurate and it’s not as good as Yelp, Cubans love the app.
Zapya - A file sharing app that EVERY Cuban uses to pass music, videos, and photos from phone to phone (both iOS and Android).
Bajanda - This is Cuba’s version of Uber. You order the car and pay in cash. It’s a great service but it’s very new so it’s still a bit slow.
Fonoma - If you plan on buying a SIM card, download this app in advance so you can add credit to your balance. See Tip #17 for more info.
Rebtel - This is also an app that allows you to top up a SIM card. See Tip #17 for more info.

8. Some phone apps don’t work properly in Cuba

Some apps just don’t work properly in Cuba, including AirBnB, as detailed in my article What to Know Before Booking an AirBnB in Cuba. During a two-month trip to Cuba in 2019, I decided to check out some AirBnBs around the country. I wasn’t able to make new bookings on the app so I emailed AirBnB for support. I was told by an ill-informed employee that I probably had an old version of the app so I should delete it and re-download it.

This was a big mistake, as many apps aren’t able to be downloaded in Cuba (see the previous tip!), so I lost all access to the app for the next two months. It took a week for me to figure out that I could make reservations through an Internet browser but even then, the map and address functions weren’t accurate.

If you’re new to AirBnB, you can use this promo code to get a free credit (I get one too!)

Some apps, like AirBnB, can’t be downloaded in Cuba

Some apps, like Venmo, cannot be used in Cuba

9. Some websites don’t work in Cuba

Many of the most popular apps (Facebook, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc.) will work in Cuba, they’ll just be slower.

Due to the United States’ trade embargo, however, some websites and apps won’t work at all in Cuba. This is particularly true of finance and payment companies such as PayPal, Venmo, and individual banks or financial institutions. What does this mean? It means that you can’t send/receive money through apps like Venmo and PayPal, you can’t log into your bank account to check balances or transfer money, and you can’t contact your bank or request for help through their website. Other sites that won’t work include: YouTube, Netflix, Pandora, and Amazon, but you likely won’t need any of these during a short trip. Some websites are blocked by the State, but they tend to be sites you likely won’t need to access, such as political sites that are critical of the Cuban government.

Here’s a quick personal story: When I was leading a group tour in Cuba, a client in the United States signed up for a travel planning consult for when I returned to the US. He paid me through Venmo, but, for some reason, Venmo required that I manually “accept” the payment instead of it just being deposited automatically in my account. Since neither the Venmo app nor the website would work in Cuba (I tried via the app, the web browser on my phone, and from a desktop computer in a hotel), I couldn’t accept the payment so hundreds of dollars reversed back to the client. He was honest so he re-sent the payment when I returned to the US the following month but not all situations would end so well.

10. Big crowds = slower Internet

The strength of WiFi in Cuba also depends on when you access it. Remember, you’re sharing the signal with everyone around you so you’ll get a better signal early in the morning when there are fewer people connecting. Less popular WIFI hotspots, where fewer people are gathered, also tend to offer a better signal (but not always). Weekend afternoons are the busiest (i.e. the slowest) times to connect.

11. Bad weather = slower Internet

Rain and wind make for a slower signal strength. If you know it’s going to storm, try to connect before the rain hits.

PRO TIP: Since the WiFi signal may cut out before you can type out or voice record your entire message, type/speak out your message in advance (on WhatsApp or iChat) and they’ll automatically send as soon as you connect to WiFi.

12. If you don’t disconnect, you’ll lose all your time

Closing your Instagram account or logging out of email doesn’t mean that you’ve disconnected from the Internet. If you forget to disconnect, the Internet will continue connecting and time will be deducted from your card. You can either click the “cerrar sesión” (“close session”) button under the Nauta timer (pictured below), or you can simply turn off your WiFi connection. I can’t tell you how many travelers I’ve met complaining that they only used 10 minutes of their 1-hour Internet card then lost the rest of the time because they didn’t log out.

Turn off Wifi when you’re done or time continues to be deducted

Even though I have a local Cuban mobile phone, I don’t use a data plan

13. Some hotels will let you use their desktop computers

Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, some hotels will let you use the desktop computers in their business center. I’ve found this extremely helpful in Viñales, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad, when my iPhone refused to connect to the internet for several days.

14. iPhones have the most problems connecting to Cuban WiFi

I have no idea why but iPhones seem to have more difficulty connecting to the Internet in Cuba than do other models of phones. I used a Samsung Galaxy during my first few trips to Cuba and noticed an immediate and dramatic change when I switched to iPhone a couple years ago. I’ve also seen my group tour participants with iPhones struggle to connect more to the internet than those with other phones.

15. 4G Mobile data plans exist IN CUBA

In fall of 2018, the Cuban government did a test run of nationwide Internet access in Cuba. It was brief and users complained the service was slow but they were excited none-the-less. Since December, 2018, Cubans have been able to purchase phone-based data plans. Up until then, they were only able to connect to the Internet by buying scratch-off WiFi cards and connecting at WIFI hotspots. Now, Cubans have the option to purchase a data plan for their phone, but is still somewhat slow, unreliable, and expensive.

While Internet speeds and data costs have dramatically improved in recent years, most Cubans still find the monthly plans cost prohibitive. For instance, many 3G and 4G data package costs more than the average monthly salary of most Cubans. The Cubans who are most likely to be able to afford these packages are those who work in tourism (guides, casa owners, restaurant servers, jinetero hustlers) and have access to tourist dollars. Recently, the Cuban State and entrepreneurial Cubans have introduced options to allow travelers to Cuba to also take advantage of 4G data plans.

16. Buying a SIM card in Cuba is possible but complicated

Unlike most countries, you can’t pick up a cheap disposable phone from an airport vending machine or get a SIM card from an electronics store in Cuba. Buying a SIM card in Cuba is possible but it’s complicated and time-consuming. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re spending at least a few weeks in Cuba and absolutely need frequent internet access.

If you think you’ll need a SIM card, here’s how to get one:

1) Visit an ETECSA Cuba office with an unlocked phone and your passport

2) Buy a SIM card for 750 CUP (~$30 USD)

3) Wait 36-72 hours for the phone to be activated

4) Add money to your account by purchasing a package (more info and pricing in the next tip). You can use your credit card to increase your balance with Fonoma or Rebtel. Both apps occasionally offer top-up bonuses when you buy time but you’ll need to download them before arriving in Cuba.

A few important notes:

Though data access is pretty good in large cities, there are dead zones between cities.
All of your interactions and transactions at the NAUTA office will be in Spanish. If you don’t speak Spanish, this will be especially confusing and difficult.
SIM cards are re-usable so you can use them in the future. However, to remain active, they must be topped up at least once per year.

Some entrepreneurial casas rent SIM cards and mobile phones with an active Cuban number (which may also include a data plan) for an additional cost. I’ve seen casas charge about USD $5-20/day for a phone.

Even though I spend months at a time in Cuba on a regular basis, I still preferred to use scratch-off Internet cards for WiFi access. I’ve tried the new Cuban data plan but I really enjoy being disconnected from the Internet in Cuba so I’m happy just using the WiFi hotspots.

17. How much does a MOBILE data plan cost in Cuba?

That depends. Prices are always changing and you can check ETECSA Cuba’s website for current prices. Pricing is a bit confusing, as it’s based on peak and off-peak hours and whether you’re in a “low-traffic zone”. There is also different pricing for mobile calls, text messages, and data usage. There is no “all inclusive” mobile package like many countries have. Cuba introduced new data rates on January 1st, 2021, which are pictured here.

18. Cuba’s New Tourism SIM Card

The new Cubacel Tur Card is a nice option for travelers who don’t want to wait several days for their phone to activate. Though you can activate the card immediately, it costs a bit more and has more restrictions. For about $25 USD, you’ll get 2.5MB of data, 20 SMS texts (domestic and international) and 20 minutes of calls (domestic and international).

You purchase the SIM card in advance through one of ETECSA’s authorized providers: SuenaCuba (Spanish), CubaCalls (German), and RecargasCuba (English) then pick it up at the CubaTur counter outside customs and immigration in Terminal 3 of the José Martí Airport in Havana. You’ll give CubaTur the code you were sent when you ordered the SIM card, they’ll put the new card in your phone, and your phone should work immediately. You’ll also have the opportunity to buy additional data (600MB of data for $7 USD, or 4GB for $30 USD).

A few more details:

The card is only valid for 30 days and you can’t extend it
You’re not eligible for other top-up promotions
If you want to cancel service, you have to contact the provider directly
The line is not transferable so you can’t give it to a friend you meet in Cuba

Want help planning your own trip to Cuba?

19. Internet access in Cuba is fast…enough

The signal strength has improved dramatically, as video calls were impossible just a couple years ago, but don’t expect the same speed you get in the United States or Canada. Video calls are now possible but the signal can sometimes be too weak even for regular internet browsing. I prefer WhatsApp and iChat for communications in Cuba but you can also use Skype, IMO, GoogleTalk, and Facebook Messenger.

Live streaming is typically not possible, though I was able to do get strong enough Internet in Havana and Baracoa (Guantanamo) recently to do Instagram live streams.

Many hotels have strong Internet in Havana and across the country

Take a break from WiFi and enjoy Cuba’s beauty

20. USING YOUR OWN INTERNATIONAL PHONE PLAN IN CUBA

Canadians, rejoice! Several of your phone companies provide access in Cuba, where you’ll connect to the local carrier, Cubacel. You’ll pay around $12/day with Koodo, Telus, and Bell, but you’ll still be at the mercy of Cubacel, so fast Internet connection is not guaranteed.

To my fellow Americans, unfortunately, no American mobile phone companies include Cuba in their international phone or data plans. Your phone may work in Cuba, you’ll just have to pay extra. Rates vary widely but are typically around $2-3/minute, $0.25-0.50/text, and $2/MB for data. Policies are always changing so check with your individual carrier before you travel.

21. HOW TO MAKE YOUR WIFI CARD LAST LONGER

Tourists and Cubans alike complain how quickly their internet card runs out so here’s a few tricks to make the card last longer.

Compose your emails offline. When you log on and open your email, the messages should automatically send.
Record voice messages offline (in WhatsApp). When you log on, the messages will automatically send.
Type out your social media posts in the Notes app while offline, then paste in the text when you log on.
If you use photo editing apps while traveling, use apps that don’t require an internet connection.
ALWAYS log out of your Internet session or close the WiFi when you’re done (Tip #12)

Schedule a call to plan your Cuba trip!

22. American e-mail accounts may not work properly in Cuba

Even if you can connect to WiFi, you may not be able to access your email account. Though I’m normally able to log into my personal and business email accounts (both run through Gmail) on my smartphone, there have been times when my phone refuses to connect to the internet for days at a time. When this happens, I check my email on a hotel desktop computer.

Though this strategy usually works, in several instances, Gmail has interpreted my desktop login as being “suspicious” so they locked down my accounts. The only way to unlock them was to have a text message sent to my phone but I couldn’t get a cellular signal. I usually keep my phone on airplane mode anyway to avoid the ridiculous international carrier fees, which are higher in Cuba than most countries.

You may not be able to access suspicious sign-in attempts until you leave Cuba

Some Google accounts won’t work in Cuba if linked to another account

23. G-Suite and linked Google accounts won’t work in Cuba

G-suite functions won’t work in Cuba. G Suite is blocked entirely in Cuba, as it is in Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Sudan, and Syria. Because my business email account is linked through my personal Gmail account (meaning it runs through G Suite), I can’t access any documents on Google drive (spreadsheets, folders, photos, etc.) while in Cuba and neither can you. If you plan to need access during your trip, save the docs offline or save them as a screenshot.

Though I can normally respond to business emails directly in my Gmail phone app, Google has locked down my business email (which runs through G Suite) while in Cuba a couple times. Since G-Suite won’t run at all on desktop computers in Cuba, I wasn’t able to log into my business account to check emails until I returned to the US. If you’re only in Cuba for a few days, it may not be a huge problem. If you’re there for weeks or months at a time (as I am), it can be a challenge so let your boss, colleagues, and clients know your response may be delayed and definitely set up an out-of-office responder.

24. Save important documents as screen shots

If you have difficulty connecting to the Internet in Cuba, you don’t want important information to be hidden in an email attachment or online account that you’re not able to access offline. Download important documents to your phone to be accessed offline, take screen shots so you can access the info in your photos, and/or copy paste information (such as your itinerary, hotel, and flight information) into your calendar to have it accessible.

25. Sometimes, the Internet just doesn’t work in Cuba

Even if you follow all the tips I mentioned, there will probably be times you won’t be able to connect to the internet no matter what you try. Given how difficult it is to enjoy an Internet-free holiday these days, I strongly encourage you to spend at least a few days without Internet. I’ve gone up to 30 days without Internet in Cuba and I convince about half of my tour participants go 7-11 days without Internet. Every single one that’s taken the “no internet challenge” has been thoroughly pleased they did so.

I encourage you to disconnect as much as possible so you can focus on enjoying your trip and getting to know the wonderful Cuban people.