Cuba Web: What You Have to Know

Is there Web in Cuba? It’s one of many first questions that vacationers who’re making ready for his or her go to to this Caribbean nation would possibly ask. Whereas Cuba is slowly growing its Web infrastructure throughout the nation, what you may need heard about Cuba Web in main cities is true.

Cuba is likely one of the few international locations on the planet that doesn’t have free Web ANYWHERE within the nation, so getting on-line requires some information and preparation.

For most individuals travelling to Cuba for a week-long trip, the information could also be considerably liberating. Every week-long Web detox and break from our cell telephones? Sure, please!

However those that are planning to discover the nation for 3-4 weeks and even longer could also be cautious of being disconnected from the world for that lengthy. It particularly hurts long-term vacationers like us, those that reside a digital nomad way of life and whose solely connection to revenue requires entry to the (evil) World Huge Net.

We couldn’t discover a lot details about the right way to entry wifi in Cuba after we have been doing analysis forward of our journey. Whereas we ready for the worst, we have been pleasantly shocked upon arrival.

Because the Web in Cuba is altering in a short time, we’ve put collectively this submit to debunk the myths and supply up-to-date details about the Web in Cuba.

Seashores in Cuba are an excellent location for a digital detox
You received’t discover any wifi right here
There are many Wifi Hotspots in Previous Havana

The Backside Line: There Is Web In Cuba

…and it’s not as arduous to seek out as your journey agent and TripAdvisor would possibly inform you.

As of September 2023, there are 4 methods to get Web in Cuba.

We have been pleasantly shocked by how accessible wifi was in Cuba

1. Join To The Wi-Fi In Cuba By way of A ETECSA Hotspot

Previous to 2015, Web in Cuba was virtually non-existent, however a lot has modified since then. In early 2015, the nation’s telecommunication supplier, ETECSA, begun opening up Cuba wi-fi hotspots all around the nation.

They began off with only a couple wifi spots in Havana, Santiago, and different main cities however finally prolonged the hotspots to cowl nearly each metropolis on the backpacker path in Cuba and past.

As we speak, there Are Tons of of Locations in Cuba with Wifi entry

Every year since 2015, the ETECSA has been introducing a whole bunch of latest Wifi hotspots to satisfy the rising demand for Cuban Web. They even teamed up with Google in 2016 so as to add extra servers to the island nation for a sooner Web connection.

Though the Web in Cuba continues to be mild years away from the velocity of the Web we get pleasure from at dwelling, Wifi in Cuba is changing into increasingly more accessible. New Wi-Fi hotspots are popping up throughout Cuba yearly.

Whereas extensively out there throughout the nation, ETECSA Hotspots don’t provide you with free entry to the net. To entry the Cuba Web through the ETECSA Hotspot, you have to a CUBACEL SIM card or a NAUTA short-term card.

There may be sure to be a wifi hotspot shut by!
Locals and guests accessing the web over ETECSA Hotspot in Havana, Cuba

Cubacel SIM Card

It’s also possible to purchase a brief Cubacel vacationer line by ETECSA. To make a purchase order, it’s important to be over 18 and have a legitimate passport. Cubacel SIM card permits you to name, textual content, and surf the net; nonetheless, as a brief card, it’s costlier with the price of $25 USD, offering 6GB of cell knowledge. You’ll have to prime up the cardboard in the event you want extra cell knowledge along with cellphone service.

Right here’s a fast breakdown of costs in accordance with the ETECSA web site:

As of September 2023, the activation plan for a brief Cuban SIM card consists of 100 minutes, 100 texts, and 6GB of cell knowledge. This activation plan prices $25 USD and expires 30 days after activation. You should buy top-up playing cards for added knowledge, however not for speak and textual content.

Cellular Information High-Up Card Charges:

$20 USD per 10GB
$30 USD per 20GB
$60 USD per 50 GB

Connecting to a Cuba Web

Pay as you go NAUTA Web Playing cards And The place To Purchase Them

The playing cards are available in 30-minute, 1-hour and 5-hour denominations and value about $1.05 per hour (in order that’s $0.52 for a 30-minute card and $5.20 for a 5-hour card) and are offered at ETECSA places of work throughout the nation. The lineup at these places of work is all the time lengthy, so be ready to attend.

Our greatest recommendation is to estimate the variety of hours you have to to spend on-line throughout your time in Cuba and buy Cuba Web playing cards in bulk to final you the period of your journey.

Understand that you may solely purchase 3 playing cards per individual (you’ll want your passport to make the acquisition), nevertheless it doesn’t matter in the event you get 3 x 1-hour playing cards or 3 x 5-hour playing cards.

Every ETECSA card has a novel Username (Usario) and Password (Contraseña), which you must log into the ETECSA Web service. You need to use the playing cards in your laptop computer, your telephone, or in some instances in inns (see the part beneath).

TO LOG IN: merely connect with the ETECSA Wi-Fi hotspot, watch for the login window to pop up, sort in your login and username data and hit “Settle for.” The web page will refresh, and a timer will come on, exhibiting you ways a lot shopping time you have got remaining.

You possibly can shut the window and browse freely, holding monitor of time in your telephone or simply by watching the clock.

DO NOT FORGET TO LOG OFF when you find yourself finished shopping. One of many largest downsides of the playing cards is that they don’t all the time terminate the session whenever you disconnect from Wi-Fi.

To make sure we didn’t lose time, we’d all the time disconnect our Wi-Fi, neglect the community, wait a few minutes, and log again on once more to verify the login window pops again up. To be protected, do the identical factor in your telephone and laptop.

2. Join To The Web In Cuba Utilizing A Lodge ETECSA Hotspot

As talked about earlier than, some inns let you entry the Web through an ETECSA hotspot as nicely. Some let you join utilizing desktop computer systems within the foyer, whereas others even have a Wi-Fi hotspot for cell web entry along with your telephone and/or laptop computer.

The identical ideas apply in the case of connecting to ETECSA hotspots in inns. You’ll want an ETECSA card, and also you’ll must log in utilizing your card’s password and username.

TO LOG OFF: In case you are utilizing lodge Wi-Fi, logging off requires extra than simply disconnecting Wi-Fi and forgetting the community. To do that correctly, you have to go to http://1.1.1.1 and hit the disconnect to finish your session.

3. Join To The Web In A Non-public Dwelling (Casa)

Wi-fi in casas particulares (or non-public properties) is changing into increasingly more widespread all through Cuba. Because the nation is opening as much as tourism, you could find many casas on platforms corresponding to Airbnb the place you may ask the host if they provide wi-fi. Whereas free wifi isn’t attainable, this feature is very standard with backpackers and funds vacationers who’re on the lookout for essentially the most bang for his or her buck.

Nonetheless, wi-fi in casas continues to be not the norm, so don’t be dissatisfied in case your host doesn’t provide it. They’re fairly expensive and even for many who can afford it, it’s nonetheless a problem to put in.

Once you arrive at your casa, ask house owners if they’ll give you their wi-fi SIM card. All it’s important to do is solely insert it in your telephone and pay when you find yourself finished.

The draw back of utilizing wi-fi in a non-public house is operating a danger of spending an excessive amount of cash in your Web as you’ll not see how a lot knowledge you have got used.

Reserving Viazul tickets on-line through an ETECSA hotspot connection
Fancy inns don’t provide low cost wifi connection in Cuba

4. Join To The Web In Cuba By way of A Non-public Web Connection In A Lodge/Resort

Whereas a whole lot of inns provide an ETECSA connection, some (largely high-end inns) solely let you log in utilizing a non-public hotspot. ETECSA playing cards will probably be ineffective for these kinds of connections as web time can solely be bought instantly on the lodge.

The costs are considerably greater than connecting through ETECSA. Count on to pay upwards of $10-15 / hour. Non-guests will typically be required to purchase a drink in the event that they want to use a lodge’s Wi-Fi entry.

Public Squares like this one usually have a wifi connection

“Free Wi-Fi In Cuba”

A small variety of high-end inns or resorts (assume $200 USD an evening and up) have begun promoting for “free wi-fi” for his or her lodge company. Understand that this “free Wi-Fi” is often solely a 30-minute or 1-hour connection through their lodge hotspot, and web customers will probably be required to pay in the event that they wish to keep related after that.

The Web continues to be VERY sluggish and infrequently confined to lodge lobbies or different public areas. Regardless of their finest promoting efforts, free Web entry in Cuba doesn’t but exist. In Cuba, web cafes are slowly changing into extra widespread, however they have an inclination to remain crowded.

Locals nonetheless don’t have entry to 3G on their cellphones, in order that they discover different methods to remain entertained

Locals nonetheless don’t have entry to 3G on their cellphones in order that they discover different methods to remain entertained

5. 3G Cell Cellphone Information In Cuba

Cellphone knowledge is out there in Cuba, nevertheless it’s fairly costly and never very dependable as you journey away from the main cities.

A couple of telecommunication companies outdoors of Cuba present roaming packages. Examine along with your cellphone supplier to make certain. For instance, Russian Yota gives Whatsapp, Fb Messenger, and Viber in Cuba.

Oksana getting her wifi repair in Cienfuegos, Cuba

4G Protection In Cuba

Cuba just lately rolled out its model of cell Web. Nonetheless, 4G Protection continues to be very a lot within the improvement stage in Cuba and is barely out there in sure locations.

When you do buy the bundle, do not forget that peak hours are from at 1p.m to 2 p.m and from 9:30 p.m to 10:30 p.m.

ETECSA Wi-Fi Hotspots In Cuba

Wi-Fi Hotspots are usually situated in parks, except for Havana, the place among the finest hotspots run alongside La Rampa road in Central Havana.

We haven’t come throughout any beachfront ETECSA Hotspots but! As of 2013, ETECSA opened web “Navigation Rooms” that supply Web entry on desktop computer systems. An ETECSA card continues to be required to make use of the Web in these Navigation Rooms, however a minimum of you now not need to do work whereas hunched over on a curb within the park.

Under is essentially the most up-to-date listing of ETECSA wi-fi spots all through Cuba by province.

Extra Cuba Wi-Fi hotspots are added nearly each week, so be sure you save an inventory from the ETECSA web site earlier than you depart for Cuba to have it simply accessible throughout your time within the nation.

An entire listing of Wi-Fi spots all through Cuba may be discovered right here.

Wi-Fi In Havana

Havana has over 130 Wi-Fi spots and 41 Navigation rooms out there all through the town. A lot of them are situated in parks and different public locations. You could find an entire listing of wi-fi spots in Havana right here.

Plus you’ll have extra time to discover in the event you’re environment friendly on-line!

Plus you’ll have extra time to discover in the event you’re environment friendly on-line!

La Rampa (from the Malecón as much as cinema Yara in Habana Vedado)
Parque Linea and L in Habana Vedado
Nook 13 and 14 in Habana Vedado
Parque Latino Americano in Cerro Stadium in Habana Vedado
Trillo Park in Habana Centro
Fe del Valle Park (nook Galeano and San Rafael) in Habana Centro
Coyula Park in Habana Miramar / Playa
College Spa 1st and 42 in Havana Miramar / Playa
Park 13 and 76 in Havana Miramar / Playa
Central Pavilions and 14 at Expocuba (Lenin Park)
Campo de Campo Florido in Habana del Este
Calabazar Park in Boyeros
Parque de 51 in La Lisa Punta Brava in La Lisa
Park 51 and 76
The Marianao Amphitheater
The Paseo de la Villa Panamericana
9 de Abril Park in Cotorro
Santa Maria del Rosario Park in Cotorro
Monaco Park in October 10
Cordoba Park in October 10
Jose Marti Park in San Antonio de las Vegas
Santa Amalia Park in Arroyo Naranjo
Parque las Madres in Regla
Jose Martin Park San Miguel del Padron
Hanoi Park in Alamar
Cultural Middle in Alamar
Central Park in Guanabacoa
Viondi Park in Guanabacoa

Wi-Fi In Artemisa

Boulevard (pedestrian road) in Artemisa
Church Park
Central Park in San Antonio de los Banos
Plaza de la Cultura in Bahia Honda
Pizzeria on the Park in Bahia Honda
Primary Park in Bauta
Restaurant El Cohinito in Bauta
Boulevard (pedestrian road) in Guira de Melena
Coppelia Ice cream (Ice cream parlor) in San Cristobal
Gastronomic advanced at K59 (km 59 on the freeway)
Central Park in Mariel
Extra areas right here

Wi-Fi In Mayabeque

Central park in Güines
The Boulevard (pedestrian) in San José de las Lajas
Central Park in Madruga
Parque Nueva Paz.
Parque Quivican.
Parque Bejucal.
Parque Batabano
Extra areas right here

Wi-Fi In Pinar Del Rio

Independencia Park in Pinar del Rio
Roberto Amarán Park in Pinar del Rio
San Luis Park in Pinar del Rio
Alameda Purchasing Middle in Pinar del Rio
Colón Park in Pinar del Rio
Las Cubanitas Cafeteria in Vinales
Primary Park in Vinales
Antonio Maceo Park, in Consolacion del Sur
Parque Centro Comercial in Hermanos Cruz
Cafeteria CIMEX in Hermanos Cruz
Park 26 de Julio in Guanes
El Cobre Restaurant and Space in Minas de Matahambre
Primary Park in Herradura Entronque
CIMEX Cafeteria and Park in Mantua
La Esquinita Cafeteria in San Juan and Martinez
Martín Herrera Park in San Juan and Martinez
Restaurant and Primary Park in La Palma
Pizzeria 23 and 24 and Primary Park in Los Palacios
Park Purchasing Middle in Guanabacoa
Primary Park in San Diego de los Banos
Extra areas right here

Wi-Fi In Matanzas

Todo por Uno Advanced (shopping center) in Varadero
Artisan Cultural Affiliation in Matanzas
Cafeteria Plaza La Vigía in Matanzas
Performing Arts Middle in Matanzas
La Libertad and Peñas Altas in Matanzas
René Fraga Metropolis Parks in Matanzas
José Antonio Echeverría Park in Cardenas
The boulevard (pedestrian road) in Colon
Central Park in Jaguey Grande
Extra areas right here

W-Fi In Villa Clara

Revolution Sq. Ernesto Guevara in Santa Clara
Martyrs Park in Santa Clara
Leoncio Vidal Park in Santa Clara
Framboyanes Park in Santa Clara
Augusto César Sandino Stadium in Santa Clara
Central Park in Remedios
The boulevard (pedestrian road) in Camajuani
Polyclinic Areas in Quemado
Primary Park in Placetas
Primary Park in Caibarien
Extra areas right here

Wi-Fi In Sancti Spiritus And Trinidad

Céspedes Park (Carillo) in Trinidad
Home of Music in Trinidad
Stroll in Casilda
Serafín Sánchez Park in Sancti Spiritus
Sea Sky Gastronomic Advanced in Sancti Spiritus
Pio Lindo Gastronomic Advanced in Sancti Spiritus
Primary Park in Yaguajay
Primary Park + Stroll in Cabaiguan
Stroll in Jatibonico
Primary Park in La Sierpe
Yayabo Cultural Plaza in Sancti Spiritus
Paseo Colon in Sancti Spiritus
Primary Park in Fomento
Primary park in Taguasco
Extra areas right here

Wi-Fi In Ciego De Avila

Martí Park in Ciego de Avila
Paseo D Road in Ciego de Avila
Máximo Gómez Park in Ciego de Avila
Marti Park in Morón
Moron Park in Morón
Mom’s Park in Morón
Maximo Gomez Park in Morón
Cultural Middle Auraca in Venezuela
The Boulevard (pedestrian) in Florence
Sergio Antuña Park in Ciro Redondo
Extra areas right here

Wi-Fi In Camaguey

On line casino Campestre in Camaguey
Parque Agramonte in Camaguey
Parque 28 de Septiembre in Camaguey
Plaza del Gallo in Camaguey
Staff’ Sq. in Camaguey
Céspedes Park in Camaguey
Know-how Middle in Camaguey
Hermanos Saiz Affiliation in Camaguey
Santa Cecilia Campus in Camaguey
Lago de los Sueños Advanced in Camaguey
El Legandario Cafeteria in Camaguey
La Caridad Market Advanced in Camaguey
Extra areas right here

Wi-Fi In Las Tunas

Plaza Martiana in Las Tunas
Antonio Maceo Park in Las Tunas
Las Antillas Advanced in Las Tunas
Buena Vista Tank in Las Tunas
Forged Stone Home in Las Tunas
El Cornito rural farm in Las Tunas
Emiliano Salvador Park in Puerto Padre
Primary Park in Jesus Menendez
Primary Park in Manati
The Moms in Amancio Park
Extra areas right here

Wi-Fi In Holguin

Parks Calixto García in Holguin
Julio Grave de Peralta in Holguin
Rubén Bravo Kids’s Park in Holguin
Loma de la Cruz in Holguin
Plaza of Tradition in Gibara
Primary Park in Banes
Younger Membership in Mayari
The Boulevard (Pedestrian road) in Rafael Freyre
Primary Park in Antilla
Primary Park in Cueto
Park las Auroras in Moa
Extra areas right here

Wi-Fi In Granma

Boulevard (pedestrian road) in Bayamo
Park of Love in Bayamo
Park Vehicles in Bayamo
Plaza de la Patria in Bayamo
Calixto García in Guisa Park
Ricardo de Céspedes Park in Niquero
Park 24 de Febrero in Campechuela
Park Municipality in Pilon
Primary park in Jiguani
Metropolis Park in Media Luna
Park Municipality in Yara
Park Municipality in Rio Cauto
The Boulevard (pedestrian road) in Manzanillo
Park Municipality in Cauto Cristo
Municipality Park in Buey Arriba
Park Municipality in Bartolomé Maso
Extra areas right here

Wi-Fi In Santiago De Cuba

Paseo Maritimo La Alameda (portside) in Santiago de Cuba
Parques Céspedes, Ferreiro in Santiago de Cuba
Plaza de Marte in Santiago de Cuba
Enramadas Know-how Middle in Santiago de Cuba
EGAMM Alegremonos Middle in Santiago de Cuba
Cafeteria ON in Santiago de Cuba
Grocery store and Multiservice Middle in Versalles
Caguayo distribution (René Valdès Cedeno Gallery) in Vista Alegre
Park in distribution in San Luis
Primary Park in Palma Soriano
Restaurant in Siboney
Extra areas right here

Guantanamo

Maximo Gomez Park / Caribe Purchasing Middle in Guantanamo
Reparto Obrero Purchasing Advanced in Guantanamo
Martí in Guantanamo Park
Central Park in Baracoa
Primary Park in Imias
Primary Park in San Antonio del Sur
Central Park in Caimanera
Park Municipality in El Salvador
Park Municipality in Manuel Tames
Space in Boqueron
Park Municipality in Yateras (Palenque)
Park Municipality in Niceto Perez
Primary Park in Costa Rica
Extra areas right here

Wi-Fi Isla De La Juventud

Boulevard (pedestrian road Marti road) in Nueva Gerona
Cotorras Park (College students park) within the capital Nueva Gerona
Parque Estudiantes / Cotorras.
Parque Cine la Fe.
Parque La Demajagua.
Parque Guerrillero Cine Caribe.
Parque Ahao.
Extra areas right here

Put together to be disconnected in Cuba

Is Wi-Fi Secure In Cuba?

Connecting to an unsecured Wi-Fi in Cuba entails the identical dangers because it does in some other nation. In any case, when you find yourself connecting to a public Wi-Fi that’s utilized by different individuals, it’s important to perceive that your knowledge could be compromised. Cuba’s nascent Web is simply beginning to acquire traction, and the inflow of vacationers who’re making an attempt to make use of it for his or her wants solely presents extra challenges to it.

As a word, the Cuban authorities tracks wi-fi logins, and a few international web sites might not open. That is very true for web sites based mostly in america.

In case you are involved concerning the security of your knowledge, think about using NordVPN to guard your shopping historical past whereas utilizing the Web in Cuba.

Can I Entry All Websites?

In Cuba, web censorship is a factor, so don’t be shocked in the event you can’t entry the entire content material and platforms that you simply usually can. It’s finest to plan forward and have a couple of completely different strains of communication to make use of.

Throughout instances of political turmoil, Cuban authorities officers have been identified to limit entry to social media and messaging platforms. When you do submit on social media, take care to not make any political statements in regard to Cuba. When you have a tendency to make use of social media for communication, it could be a good suggestion to have a backup. Once you do get web entry in Cuba, be sure to have entry to electronic mail and different channels of communication.

Due to the US embargo towards Cuba, you received’t be capable to purchase from sure on-line retailers. You in all probability received’t be capable to buy something on Amazon, Google Play, or Apple, even in the event you aren’t having something shipped to you. There may also be some issue finishing some on-line transactions with Airbnb and different US based mostly lodging marketplaces like Vrbo.

The easiest way across the issues with entry to websites and finishing purchases is a VPN. Be sure to load the VPN onto your units earlier than travelling to Cuba. You may get a VPN when you’re in Cuba, however provided that you may entry the App Retailer or Google Retailer. Simply get it beforehand, and also you’ll keep away from losing time that might be higher spent on the seaside.

Utilizing a VPN is really helpful in Cuba

Make The Most Of Your Time On-line

Everytime you do get an opportunity to go browsing, take advantage of your time on-line. That is the method we adopted, which proved to be very environment friendly.

Obtain your emails, messages and preload pages whenever you first log in.
Disconnect from the Web.
Compose electronic mail/message responses and any social media posts.
Edit any pictures offline and prep them for posting.
Reconnect.
Ship emails, copy and paste message responses, and schedule social media posts.
Sign off.

Put together To Be Offline

Though the Web in Cuba is out there throughout the nation it’s not all the time simply accessible and the web velocity may be sluggish, so we do advocate a little bit of pre-planning to assist your journey go as easily as attainable.

Obtain Maps.me, it’s one in all our favorite apps that permits you to entry maps (with routing) with out a connection to the Web. Be certain that you obtain the total Cuba map earlier than you go and also you’ll by no means have to fret about being misplaced. Google Maps additionally works in Cuba, nevertheless it’s finest to obtain offline maps in case you lose web providers.

Obtain and save Wikitravel Pages for every metropolis you propose on visiting. The identical goes for journey blogs and attention-grabbing articles about journey in Cuba. You are able to do this with an app referred to as Pocket.

Pay attention to the TripAdvisor restaurant suggestions. You possibly can both discover the very best eating places in every metropolis in your cell and screenprint TripAdvisor options or obtain pdf variations of the TripAdvisor desktop pages.

Obtain the app A La Mesa, to get some perception into the restaurant scene throughout Cuba.

Obtain this or an identical information to wi-Fi in Cuba for an simply accessible listing of ETECSA sizzling spots and suggestions for connecting to the web whereas in Cuba.