Are you visiting Cuba soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Cuba SIM card.

Cuba has only made mobile internet available to its citizens in the last few years, and with that, came the easing of restrictions when it comes to a tourist buying a SIM card.

Having said that, SIM cards are not yet widely available to travelers in the country. 

In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in Cuba in person. It’s important to note that you can purchase a SIM card for Cuba online via SimOptions.

Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Cuba. If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

However, Cuba is not the best-connected country when it comes to Wifi, so you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Cuba.

Havana, Cuba

How To Buy A SIM Card In Cuba

You can either buy a Cuba prepaid SIM card in person at the airport or in the mobile provider store.

Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plan offered by Cubacel.

Beach, Cuba

Cubacel SIM Cards

Cubacel offers a tourist SIM plan:

  • 6 GB, 100 local minutes + SMS, valid for 30 days for $25

You will need your passport to activate the plan.

Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Cuba

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Cuba or even an eSIM for your travels in Cuba doesn’t come with many options. Our advice is to go straight to a Cubacel store to pick up a SIM card when you arrive. 

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About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015 and has been living abroad since 2014. Originally from Canada, she has embraced a digital nomad lifestyle, working online from various destinations worldwide. Melissa is passionate about travel, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit. Her extensive travels have taken her across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. Currently, she resides in Thailand.


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