Compare the Best Travel eSIMs for Cuba
Prepaid data eSIMs for visitors to Cuba, every plan ranked by real price per GB. This is not a Cuba contract or a local SIM. Updated daily.
Reviewed by Lee DobsonLast updated Ranked independently by real price per GBUpdated dailyFree to use, no account
The 1 best Cuba eSIMs right now
Hand-checked · ranked by price per GB
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What Cuba data actually costs
Cuba travel eSIM prices look random until you convert every plan to one number: the real cost per gigabyte. Here is what that reveals right now.
The cheapest plan at each size, 30 days
| Data | Cheapest provider | Total | Price per GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 GB | Yesim | $116.16 | $11.62/GB | Get plan ↗🏷 15% off with code TRAVELCITY |
| 5 GB | Yesim | $63.89 | $12.78/GB | Get plan ↗🏷 15% off with code TRAVELCITY |
| 1 GB | Yesim | $17.42 | $17.42/GB | Get plan ↗🏷 15% off with code TRAVELCITY |
Cost per GB rises from $11.62/GB at 10 GB to $17.42/GB at 1 GB. Buying a little more data than you expect to use is almost always cheaper per gigabyte than buying exactly what you need.
Do not overpay for coverage you will not use
If your whole trip is in Cuba, a Cuba only plan is far cheaper per gigabyte than a North America or global plan carrying the same data. Same provider (GigSky), same 5 GB, 30 days:
| GigSky plan | Price | Price per GB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuba only | $98.99 | $19.80/GB | Get plan ↗🏷 15% off with code ATESIM |
| North America | $14.99 | $3.00/GB | Get plan ↗🏷 15% off with code ATESIM |
| Global | $24.99 | $5.00/GB | Get plan ↗🏷 15% off with code ATESIM |
A Cuba only plan costs much less per gigabyte than a regional or global plan with the same data. Only pay for the wider plan if you are actually crossing borders on this trip.
Which network does your Cuba eSIM use?
This is the question that decides your real signal, and almost no comparison site answers it. Your travel eSIM connects to one or more local networks as a visitor, and that choice matters the moment you leave the big cities, because rural coverage varies a lot between them.
| Provider | Host network | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Not offered | Confirming |
| GigSky | Cubacel (ETECSA) | Confirmed |
| Ubigi | Not offered | Confirming |
| Nomad | C-com / Celulares del Caribe (ETECSA) | Confirmed |
| Saily | Not offered | Confirming |
| Yesim | Cubacel (ETECSA) | Confirmed |
Only GigSky, Yesim, and Nomad currently sell Cuba data eSIMs, and every one roams on ETECSA, the sole operator, through its Cubacel or C-com brands; Airalo removed Cuba in 2024 and neither Ubigi nor Saily lists it.
Coverage by where you are going
- ETECSA is a state monopoly and runs the only mobile network in Cuba, so every working eSIM roams on its Cubacel and C-com brands.
- GigSky, Yesim, and Nomad sell Cuba data eSIMs that connect to ETECSA; Airalo, Ubigi, and Saily do not offer Cuba.
- Coverage reaches 3G and 4G/LTE in Havana, Varadero, and larger towns, with little to no signal in rural areas.
- 5G is not available anywhere in Cuba.
- Speeds are slow and frequently congested, so even with an LTE icon, downloads and messaging can stall.
- Every Cuba eSIM is data only, with no local phone number, SMS, or voice service.
Travel eSIM vs a local Cuba SIM
A working travel eSIM from GigSky, Yesim, or Nomad gives you data the moment you land without visiting an ETECSA office, but you pay a premium for it. GigSky charges $98.99 for 5 GB over 30 days and Nomad charges $69 for the same 5 GB, both data only with no Cuban number. Install the eSIM before you fly, because you need internet to download it and that is hard to find on arrival.
A local Cubacel SIM, sold to visitors as Cubacel Tur, gives you a Cuban phone number alongside data, but you buy it on arrival, top up in Cuban pesos, and often queue at an ETECSA office. It runs on the same underlying network as the eSIMs, so raw speeds are no faster. It suits longer stays where a local number and voice calls matter.
Quick rule: For a week of maps and messaging, buy a GigSky, Yesim, or Nomad eSIM before you fly; for a Cuban number or a longer stay, get a Cubacel SIM on arrival.
Cuba has a single mobile operator, ETECSA, and its Cubacel network is the only network any travel eSIM can roam on.
How a Cuba travel eSIM works
A travel eSIM replaces expensive roaming with a cheap local data plan you activate in seconds. There is no plastic SIM and no airport queue. Roaming with your home carrier can run 6 to 12 dollars a day, so a week easily tops 50 to 80 dollars for service you already pay for at home.
Three things to get right:
- Check your phone supports eSIM before you buy.
- Install the eSIM at home over WiFi, but wait to activate it until you land, because the validity period usually starts on activation.
- Keep your physical SIM in the phone for calls and texts on your normal number.
How we rank Cuba eSIMs
Every plan on this page is sorted by real price per GB (total price divided by included data, normalised to USD), so a cheap-looking 1 GB plan cannot outrank a better-value 10 GB one. We refresh prices daily and only list providers with a track record of activating on arrival. We earn a small affiliate commission when you buy through our links. It funds the price tracking and never changes the order you see.
Cuba travel eSIM FAQ
Do travel eSIMs even work in Cuba?
Some do, but most do not. As of 2026 only GigSky, Yesim, and Nomad sell Cuba data eSIMs that roam on ETECSA's Cubacel network, while Airalo, Ubigi, and Saily do not cover Cuba at all. Even the working eSIMs are data only and rely entirely on ETECSA, so expect slow speeds and occasional dropouts.
Which providers should I buy from, and when?
Stick to GigSky, Yesim, or Nomad, since they are confirmed to operate on Cubacel. Buy and install the eSIM before you fly, because you need an internet connection to download it and that is hard to find once you arrive. None of these plans include a Cuban phone number.
What about WiFi and Nauta cards?
ETECSA sells Nauta WiFi access for public hotspots and many hotels, paid by the hour using a scratch card or a Nauta account. It is slow and can be congested, but it works as a backup when mobile data struggles. Many casas particulares and hotels now offer WiFi, though quality varies a lot.
Is there 5G in Cuba?
No. Cuba has no 5G network anywhere. The best you get is 4G/LTE in Havana, Varadero, and larger towns, dropping to 3G or no signal in rural areas.
Can I use my US phone plan or credit card in Cuba?
US carrier roaming is limited and expensive, and US-issued credit cards generally do not work in Cuba because of sanctions. Buy your eSIM in advance, ideally with a non-US card, and carry cash for anything on the ground. Some apps and online services are also blocked or restricted on the island.
How much data do I actually need?
Plan light. A week of maps and messaging with occasional browsing fits inside 1 to 3 GB for most travelers, which matches what GigSky, Yesim, and Nomad sell. Streaming video is impractical on Cuban speeds, so do not rely on it.
