Stay Connected in Havana
Network coverage, costs, and options
Connectivity Overview
Havana's connectivity situation is, well, unique. Cuba's internet infrastructure has been evolving rapidly over the past few years, but it's still quite different from what most travelers are used to. The state telecom company ETECSA controls most services, and internet access tends to be slower and more expensive than in other Caribbean destinations. You'll find WiFi hotspots scattered around parks and public squares—identifiable by crowds of people staring at their phones—but consistent mobile data is what most travelers actually need. The good news is that things are improving steadily, and it's entirely possible to stay connected during your visit. Just set your expectations accordingly and plan ahead, because sorting out connectivity after you land can eat into your vacation time pretty quickly.
Network Coverage & Speed
ETECSA is essentially your only option for mobile networks in Havana, operating on 3G and increasingly available 4G LTE networks. Coverage in central Havana and along the Malecón is generally reliable, though speeds can be sluggish compared to what you might be used to—think adequate for messaging apps and maps, but streaming video is pushing it. The 4G network has been expanding, but it's not everywhere yet, and you'll likely drop down to 3G in older neighborhoods or once you venture outside the city center. Public WiFi zones (zonas WiFi) are common in parks like Parque Central and along major streets, but these require purchasing scratch-off WiFi cards from ETECSA offices or authorized resellers. Worth noting that mobile data only became widely available to Cubans in 2018, so the infrastructure is still catching up. During peak hours, you might notice congestion, and coverage gets noticeably spottier in residential areas away from tourist zones.
How to Stay Connected
eSIM
eSIMs are honestly the more convenient option for most Havana travelers, despite Cuba's unique connectivity landscape. You can purchase and activate one before you even board your flight, which means you'll have data the moment you land—pretty valuable when you're trying to coordinate a taxi or message your casa particular host. The cost is higher than buying local, typically running $15-30 for a week depending on data allowance, but you're paying for convenience and peace of mind. The main advantage is avoiding the ETECSA office queues, which can be substantial, and not having to navigate the process in Spanish. That said, eSIM options for Cuba are somewhat limited compared to other destinations, and you'll want to verify your phone is eSIM-compatible and unlocked before your trip. For shorter stays (under two weeks), the premium is usually worth it for the hassle you'll skip.
Local SIM Card
Getting a local ETECSA SIM requires visiting one of their offices (telepuntos), bringing your passport, and being prepared to wait—sometimes quite a while. The main office at Obispo 352 in Old Havana is used to tourists, though lines can stretch 30-60 minutes or longer during busy periods. You'll need to purchase the SIM card itself (around $3-5 CUC) plus a data package, which runs roughly $10 CUC for 1GB or $20 CUC for 2.5GB, valid for 30 days. Staff generally speak some English at tourist-heavy locations, but the process can be confusing if you're not familiar with how Cuban telecommunications work. You'll also need to top up your account when data runs out, which means either returning to an ETECSA office or finding authorized resellers. The pricing is definitely cheaper than eSIM options if you're staying longer, but factor in the time cost—that hour at ETECSA could be spent exploring the city.
Comparison
Local SIM is the cheapest route if you're on a tight budget or staying more than a month—you're looking at roughly half the cost of eSIM options. eSIM wins on convenience and time savings, particularly for shorter trips where spending an hour in a telecom office feels like a waste. International roaming from most carriers is prohibitively expensive for Cuba and often doesn't work reliably anyway, so that's generally not a real option. For most travelers, the eSIM premium is worth paying to avoid the hassle, but if you're backpacking long-term or really counting every dollar, local SIM makes sense once you factor in the monthly rates.
Staying Safe on Public WiFi
Public WiFi in Havana—whether at your hotel, in park WiFi zones, or at cafés—comes with the usual security risks that are amplified when you're traveling. You're likely accessing banking apps, booking confirmations with credit card details, and maybe even passport scans, which makes you a more attractive target than when you're just browsing at home. Hotel networks in particular tend to be poorly secured, and public WiFi zones are essentially open networks where anyone nearby could potentially intercept unencrypted data. A VPN encrypts your connection, which means even on sketchy networks your sensitive information stays protected. NordVPN works well for travelers and is straightforward to set up before your trip—just install it on your devices at home and activate it whenever you're on WiFi you don't control. It's not about being paranoid; it's just basic protection when you're handling important stuff on networks you know nothing about.
Protect Your Data with a VPN
When using hotel WiFi, airport networks, or cafe hotspots in Havana, your personal data and banking information can be vulnerable. A VPN encrypts your connection, keeping your passwords, credit cards, and private communications safe from hackers on the same network.
Our Recommendations
First-time visitors: Go with an eSIM without question. Havana can be overwhelming when you first arrive, and the last thing you want is spending your first afternoon in a telecom office. Having connectivity immediately means you can navigate confidently, communicate with accommodations, and actually enjoy your trip from minute one. The $20-30 premium is negligible compared to your overall trip cost and the peace of mind is worth it.
Budget travelers: If you're on an extremely tight budget and staying more than two weeks, the local SIM savings add up—maybe $15-20 over a two-week period. But honestly, for most budget travelers, the time you'll spend dealing with ETECSA could be spent earning that difference back home, or just enjoying Havana. eSIM is still the smarter choice unless every dollar truly matters.
Long-term stays: Once you're past a month, local SIM makes financial sense. The monthly rates are reasonable, and you'll have time to navigate the system without it cutting into vacation days. You'll probably need to top up anyway, so getting familiar with ETECSA is worthwhile.
Business travelers: eSIM is your only realistic option. Your time is valuable, you need reliable connectivity for calls and emails, and you cannot afford to spend half a day sorting out a SIM card. Set it up before you travel and don't think twice about it.