The Internet in Cuba: What Actually Works in 2026

The Internet in Cuba is a world away from what it was 10 years ago, but there are still some quirks to getting online in this island nation.  You’ll want to read this before you travel to Cuba, so that you can plan.  Planning your visit to Cuba will make it go a whole lot more smoothly.  Internet access in Cuba is controlled by the state telecommunications company, ETECSA. That doesn’t mean it’s completely inaccessible, but it does mean it works differently from most countries.  Here’s my guide to getting on the internet in Cuba for 2026.

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You won’t find widespread home broadband, unlimited public WiFi, or seamless roaming like you might elsewhere. Instead, internet access in Cuba comes in three main forms:

• Public WiFi hotspots
• Hotel WiFi or Casa Particular WiFi
• Mobile data through a Cuban SIM card or eSIM

Each of these different ways of getting on the internet in Cuba has pros and limitations, and understanding them before you arrive will save you a lot of frustration.

The Internet in Cuba

Internet access in Cuba is provided by a Cuban Government-owned telecommunications company called ETECSA   (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A).  ETECSA strictly controls where you can access the internet, and that’s either by using one of the public WiFi hotspots or by using the WiFi from a hotel or Casa Particular. 

How to Access the Internet in Cuba

Accessing the internet in Cuba is not always free.  You always have to pay for the public WiFi hotspots.  You may or may not have to pay for WiFi separately at your hotel or casa particular. 

Public WiFi Hotspots in Cuba Explained

Public WiFi hotspots are common in cities and larger towns. Until recently, it was the only way to get on the internet in Cuba, unless you got a SIM card.  There are more than 1,240 WiFi hotspots in Cuba.  You’ll usually find Cuba’s public WiFi hotspots in:

• Public parks
• Town squares
• Inside or outside ETECSA offices
• At some public buildings

I’ve written a whole guide to WiFi in Cuba here. But here is the headline information.

You connect to Cuba’s public WiFi using a prepaid internet card. (my guide explains how and where to buy them.) Speeds vary wildly. Early mornings tend to be better. Evenings, when everyone logs on to video call family abroad, can be painfully slow.  It works — but it’s not “sit and stream Netflix” internet. In smaller towns, hotspots may exist but can be weaker or more crowded.

Hotel WiFi in Cuba: What to Expect

Hotel WiFi in Cuba is hit or miss.  In higher-end hotels in Havana or Varadero, you’ll usually get usable WiFi in the lobby, some rooms, and common areas.  You’ll still need login credentials (often purchased hourly or daily), unless your hotel includes access in your stay.

Casa Particular WiFi: What to Expect

If you’re staying in a casa particular, which I recommend (read my guide to casa particulares in Cuba here), and which many independent travelers do, WiFi works a little differently again.  Not all casas have private internet access, but for those that do, it’s a great feature for you as a visitor.  In Havana and other larger cities, some casas now offer in-house WiFi.  The challenge with “in casa” WiFi tends to be your distance from the router.  The further away from the router you are, the poorer the internet connection. 

Even when WiFi is advertised (in either a hotel or casa particular), don’t expect European-style speeds. It’s usually perfectly usable for messaging, checking emails, and light browsing, but video calls and large uploads can be inconsistent.

If staying connected matters to you, a Cuban SIM card or eSIM with mobile data is often more reliable than depending solely on casa WiFi.

• Read my guide to Cuban Tourist SIMs here
• Read my guide to eSIMs for Cuba here.

Mobile Data & Cuban SIM Cards and eSIMs for Cuba

For most travelers in 2026, the best internet option in Cuba is mobile data.  You can buy a Cuban SIM card either at the airport on arrival (prebook it here) or at official ETECSA offices in major cities. You’ll need your passport.

Mobile data coverage is decent in the cities, it’s weaker in rural areas, and very limited in remote regions.  That’s pretty standard around the world, though, right?

Mobile data speeds are typically good enough for WhatsApp, Email, Google Maps, and Social media.  Video calls may work, but don’t expect flawless HD quality.  For most, a Cuban SIM or eSIM is more reliable than relying on public hotspots.

Cuban Internet Speed, Costs, and Reliability

Let’s be realistic.  Cuba does not have high-speed broadband standards comparable to those in Europe or North America. Your speed of access varies considerably depending on your location, the time of day, network congestion, power outages, and the weather.

File uploads are likely to be slow, and streaming will be inconsistent.  The time of day is key; when demand spikes on an evening, it tends to slow down.  What doesn’t work reliably in Cuba tends to be specific to the US embargo and sanctions, so things like banking apps, payment platforms, and financial services.

In mostcases, the issue isn’t Cuba blocking the service, it’s the service blocking Cuban IP addresses due to sanctions compliance.  You should read my guide on which apps are blocked in Cuba.  This is where a VPN is likely to help you.  Read my guide to whether you need a VPN in Cuba here.

Streaming services (Netflix, BBC, etc.) may also struggle, not only because they’re “geo-blocked”, but also because speeds aren’t strong enough for consistent playback.

Typical Costs for Internet Access in Cuba

Costs change slowly in Cuba, but generally you’ll pay for:

• Prepaid hotspot access by the hour (you’ll pay 30 minutes:12.50 CUP, 1 hour: 25.00 CUP, 5 hours: 125.00 CUP
• Mobile data packages from your home provider, if provided (you need to check what the rates are BEFORE you leave home)
• SIM card purchase (check the current cost here)
• eSIM purchase (check the cost here, and top up more if you run out of data)

The costs are incomparable to Europe or North America; internet access in Cuba is more expensive for the speed you receive, and generally speaking, a Cuban SIM card provides the best option in terms of speed and cost-effectiveness.  Preorder your Cuban SIM card here.

Internet Censorship in Cuba & Blocked Sites

There are some internet restrictions in Cuba, much of which is focused on blocking political information from those critical of the government. (that probably won’t affect you at all).  What is more likely to impact you is the internet restrictions that are in place because of the U.S. economic embargo, which places sanctions against Cuba’s financial services sector and financial services organizations contracting with Cuba.

So in the same way that a bank card or credit card issued by a US bank won’t work, neither will sites like PayPal.  Or Wise.  Or Revolut.  Many banking services provided through the web are blocked if you’re using the Internet in Cuba.

You can avoid this block by using your VPN to mask your location. I use and recommend NordVPN for use in Cuba.

Even if you’re using the Viazul Bus website while you are in Cuba, you’ll need to use a VPN to access it and make a booking. My guide to which VPNs work in Cuba is here.

Tips for Staying Connected in Cuba

These tips aren’t specific to Cuba; they’re what I do before I travel to ANY country.  I

• Download offline Google Maps
• Save my booking confirmations as screenshots
• Enable email-based two-factor authentication instead of SMS where possible
• Install essential apps before arrival – read my guide to essential apps for Cuba here.
• Consider whether you want a VPN installed in advance – read about the best VPNs for Cuba here.

Final Words on the Internet in Cuba in 2026

The Internet in Cuba in 2026 is usable, but not fast.  It relies on the electricity being on and an old infrastructure.  You’ll be able to message your family, check email, use maps, and social media.  You’ll be able to access new sites.  You’ll be able to make bookings on Viazul, on Civitatis, and check details of your flight home, but don’t expect high-speed, always-on connectivity.

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