Severe disruption makes offline preparation and flexible exit plans essential
Several governments currently advise against non-essential travel to Cuba. On 14 July 2026 the national power grid collapsed for the third time in one week, and fuel shortages are severely disrupting transport, medical care, communications, water, food supply, and tourism. International Visa and Mastercard transactions stopped on 6 June 2026, so travelers should not expect foreign cards or ATMs to work. Bring enough eligible foreign cash for the entire trip plus an emergency reserve, split it securely, and exchange only at official CADECA offices or banks. Airlines and airport operations remain unstable, so confirm every flight directly and keep an exit alternative. Complete D’Viajeros within 72 hours before arrival and check whether an eVisa is required for the passport and itinerary. U.S. persons face separate OFAC restrictions, and visiting Cuba after 12 January 2021 generally affects future Visa Waiver Program eligibility. Download maps, documents, Spanish, contacts, and any needed security tools before departure because power cuts can also disable mobile service.
Cuba's main passenger ride app, with cash fares, estimates, driver details, tracking, and chat, mainly useful in Havana.
A Cuban delivery marketplace for restaurant meals, groceries, and other goods in selected cities, with cash or card payment.
The most useful channel for coordinating with Cuban accommodation, drivers, guides, restaurants, and tour operators.
Free, ad-free maps with offline search and routing, useful when Cuban mobile data and power are unavailable.
A useful second reference for saved pins, place details, location sharing, and checking routes when data is available.
Offline Spanish text, camera, and phrase translation for signs, menus, addresses, and routine conversations.
An offline directory of Cuban restaurants, cafes, bars, menus, prices, maps, and contact details across major destinations.
Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
Order online before you fly: every route into a Cuban tourist SIM runs through an online purchase, because foreign card payments inside Cuba are unreliable. Validity starts when you activate with *666, not when you buy, and the rules on extending a Tur SIM are inconsistent enough that you should not build a long trip around any answer without checking. You cannot cancel the product at an ETECSA office once purchased. Cuba's internet is restricted, so set up any tools you need before arrival, and carry cash: US-issued cards generally do not work.
The state monopoly and the only mobile network in Cuba: 3G in urban areas, workable 4G in Havana and the main tourist zones, limited coverage in rural areas. Visitors can no longer use ordinary local SIMs and are channelled into the dedicated Cubacel Tur tourist product.
The essential apps for Cuba are WhatsApp, Organic Maps, Google Translate.
We've curated 7 apps across 13 categories for traveling in Cuba, including 3 essential apps.
La Nave is the top-rated ride hailing app in Cuba. Cuba's main passenger ride app, with cash fares, estimates, driver details, tracking, and chat, mainly useful in Havana.
An easy island to explore once transport, cash, and arrival details are prepared
A many-island trip where the useful apps depend on your exact itinerary
Essential e-ticket, cautious transport, and cash-ready travel beyond the resorts
Official C5, licensed transport, storm-aware plans, and cash beyond the resorts
Federal entry rules, road trip planning, ferry alerts, and cash for small vendors
