The availability of internet access in Cuba is rapidly improving, with an increasing number of public WiFi locations and hotels offering it. Some international mobile providers have agreements in place with Cuba to allow roaming, but this option may be costly. An alternative is to purchase a tourist SIM card in Cuba, which will allow you to access the internet while on the move and at your convenience. Here is everything you need to know about obtaining a tourist SIM in Cuba.

Here’s how to get a Cuba Sim Card

You can buy a tourist sim card online in advance and collect it on arrival. You can also buy a Cuban tourist sim card at the Jose Marti Havana airport (you need to pay online first). You can’t buy a tourist sim at ETECSA offices, only online you can pay for the sim card.

The easiest way to buy a tourist sim card in Cuba

The quickest way to get a tourist sim card in Cuba is to pre-order it for collection at Havana Jose Marti Airport terminal 3. The stand is located at Concourse C in front of where the luggage is collected and is open 24/7. The sim card can also be collected at Varadero, Cayo Coco, Camaguey, or Holguín Airports (24 hours) or at any ETECSA (Cuba cellphone company) office around the country, but they’re best set up for collection at the airport.

You can buy it here.

What options are available for the tourist sim card cards in Cuba

Starting from December 2024, there are two basic options for the Cuba Tourist SIM:

• Cubacel Tur Plus – Includes 10GB of data, 100 minutes, 100 SMS, unlimited WhatsApp and Facebook, and has a validity of 30 days. This plan can be extended for an additional 30 days per recharge, up to a maximum of 90 days.
• Cubacel Tur Básico – Includes 4GB of data, 20 minutes, 20 SMS, with a validity of 7 days. This plan can be extended for an additional 7 days per recharge, up to a maximum of 90 days.

Both plans offer a convenient way to stay connected during your visit to Cuba. They are only available for foreign visitors (18+). You can purchase either plan at this link.

What is the cost of the Cuban tourist sim card?

• Cubacel Tur Plus – $34.99 USD
• Cubacel Tur Básico – $13.99 USD

Can the Cuban tourist sim card be refilled / recharged?

Yes, it is possible to recharge the Cuban tourist SIM card with additional data packages. However, you cannot buy additional minutes or SMS—only data. The add-on data packages are as follows:

• 10GB – $20.00
• 20GB – $30.00
• 50GB – $70.00

You can recharge the tourist sim card here.

Where to pickup your tourist sim once in Cuba

You can pick up the card at Terminal 3 of the José Martí airport (Havana), at the Etecsa stand in Concourse C of the airport, right after passing immigration. You can also pick it up at Cayo Coco airport (open 24 hours), Camaguey airport, Holguín Airport, or at Varadero Airport at the Etecsa/CubacelTur stand. In addition, you can go to any of the commercial units of ETECSA around the country.

You’ll need the code that you were sent when ordering, and they will put the SIM card in your phone for you. The SIM validity (7 days or 30 days) begins from the moment you activate it (*666).

Where can I pick up the tourist sim card in Varadero?

Can I pick up the tourist sim card in Holguín Airport?

FAQs on Cuban Tourist Sims

Do all cell phones function in Cuba?

Your phone must be unlocked and capable of operating in:

NETWORK	BAND	FREQUENCY
3G	8	900
3G	1	2100
4G	3	1800

To utilize the mobile data in Cuba, do I need to make any special settings?

To use the Data of your Cuban Tourist SIMCARD you must configure the nauta access point on your phone:

• Name: nauta
• APN: nauta

Can I keep my Cuban SIM card active longer than 30 days?

Cubacel Tur Plus starts with 30 days and can be extended by 30 days per recharge, up to a maximum of 90 days. Cubacel Tur Básico starts with 7 days and can be extended by 7 days per recharge, also up to a maximum of 90 days.

Do calls made to the Cuban tourist sim have a cost?

Receiving calls from a national mobile number or an international call is free of charge. However, calls received from a national fixed line are not free of cost.

Can I reload the Cuban tourist SIM?

Yes, you can recharge data plans on the Cuban tourist SIM, but you cannot add additional minutes or SMS.

Where can I topup or recharge the Cuban tourist sim?

You can reload the tourist sim card here.

How can I find out how many minutes, SMS, and megabytes of data are still on my tourist sim?

From your tourist sim card, dial the code *222*887# to check what data, minutes, and SMS allocation you have left on your tourist sim.

Other important notes and information about the Cubacel Tur SIM CARD

1. What is this service?

   This service consists on the purchase over the internet of a Cuban temporary mobile line for tourists. Now there are two main options: Cubacel Tur Plus and Cubacel Tur Básico.

2. Who is this service for?

   It is designed for tourists who visit the island for a short period of time. For your purchase you need to have a foreign passport, and you must be 18 or older.

3. How can I buy this service?

   You need to create an account on our site: www.suenacuba.com. After that, go to Menu > “Buy CubacelTur SIM Card.”

4. Can I purchase this offer in a commercial unit of ETECSA?

   No. This offer will only be available on our page: www.suenacuba.com

5. Can you buy this offer while in Cuba?

   Yes. It can be purchased through our page: www.suenacuba.com using credit cards, debit cards, or PayPal account.

6. Once the purchase has been made, where can I pick it up?

   You can pick up the card at Terminal 3 of the José Martí airport, at the Etecsa stand in Concourse C or D of the airport, right after passing immigration, or at Varadero, Cayo Coco, Camaguey, and Holguín airports or in any of the commercial units of ETECSA. Remember, the stands at these airports are open 24 hours a day.

7. If I couldn't collect the card at the airport, what can I do?

   You can go to an ETECSA business unit to collect it.

8. What characteristics must the phone have to be able to use the service?

   To use the service, your phone must be unlocked and operate in:

   NETWORK	BAND	FREQUENCY
   3G	8	900
   3G	1	2100
   4G	3	1800

   To use the Data you must configure the nauta access point on your phone:

   Name:	nauta
   APN:	nauta

9. What can I do if my phone does not allow me to use the service?

   If you have any problems with the service, you can call the customer service numbers: 52642266 and 118.

10. Is it a promotion or is it a permanent offer?

    CubacelTur is a new service that will be permanently available.

11. What is the price to obtain the service?

    The price depends on which plan you choose: Cubacel Tur Plus ($34.99) or Cubacel Tur Básico ($13.99).

12. How many services can a customer buy?

    There is no limit, but you cannot have more than three active lines at the same time.

13. Is the line permanent?

    No, the line is temporary. Cubacel Tur Plus is valid for 30 days from its activation and Cubacel Tur Básico is valid for 7 days from its activation.

14. Once in Cuba, if I no longer want the service, can I cancel it in an ETECSA business unit?

    No. If you have not collected your card because you no longer want the service, you must make the claim with us.

15. When the basic package is finished, will I be able to recharge or purchase new packages?

    Yes, you can purchase additional data packages that are available in our service www.suenacuba.com

16. What is the price of the additional packages?

    10 GB	$20.00
    20 GB	$30.00
    50 GB	$70.00

17. If I buy an additional data package, does it add to what I have left?

    Yes, if you still have MB available and purchase an additional package, the new Data is added to your existing Data.

18. If I buy an additional package, can I extend the life cycle of the line?

    Cubacel Tur Plus can be extended 30 days per recharge (up to 90 days), and Cubacel Tur Básico can be extended 7 days per recharge (up to 90 days). Buying data alone does not automatically extend validity unless you purchase the corresponding extension for the plan.

19. Can I receive national and international calls?

    Yes, you can receive national and international calls.

    Calls received from a national mobile number or international number are free of charge; calls from a national fixed line have a cost.

20. Can I make national and international calls?

    Yes. You can make national and international calls as long as you have available minutes in your plan (Plus or Básico).

21. If I run out of minutes, can I buy more?

    No, you can only purchase additional Data options, not minutes.

22. If I ran out of SMS, can I buy more?

    No, you can only purchase additional Data options, not SMS.

23. What should I do in case of loss or deterioration of the SIM?

    In case of loss of the SIM you can request a replacement in any commercial unit of ETECSA, where you can also make the change if you require it. In both cases, you must pay according to the current price in the official rate and in the authorized currencies (CUC, CUP).

24. Before the line expires, can I transfer the MB, minutes and SMS that I have available?

    No. The MB, minutes, and SMS that you have cannot be transferred.

25. Can I change my phone number?

    No, the number change service is not available for this type of offer.

26. Can I pass the line to a friend?

    No. The line cannot be transferred to another person.

27. How can I check the MB that I have? How can I check what time I have left for the line to drop?

    Through the query *222*887# you can know the MB, Minutes, and SMS available and the end date of your offer.