Between a Cuba SIM card and a Cuba eSIM, which is better? Overall, an eSIM offers more convenience, but lets discuss the pros and cons of each option.
Cuba is more than just a holiday destination—it offers that ethereal feeling of entering another era. Classic cars roll down pastel-coloured streets, latin music spills from doorways, and travellers are invited to unplug like nowhere else.
Having mobile data in Cuba is a no-brainer, especially if you need to access Maps, check the status of your Airbnb, or just send a quick text to your mom to tell her you’re alive.
Yet the question remains: which option is better—a Cuba SIM card or a Cuba eSIM? Should you buy a Cuba SIM card before you arrive, or just wait until you land and get settled?
Here are the pros and cons of each option, plus a few real-world quirks that might save you a headache.
Buying a Cuba SIM card locally
Here’s what you might not know: Cuba has exactly one mobile provider, ETESCA. One. This means that you only have one option if you want a local SIM and that lack of choice translates into major inconvenience.
If you choose to grab a Cuba SIM card at Havana’s José Martí International Airport, you might find yourself at the end of a long, slow-moving line. It’s also possible that they’ll run out. (Yes, it happens if you’re going with a physical SIM card).
If you head to the ETESCA office in town, you’ll need to provide your passport, have Cuban pesos on hand, and some patience for sorting everything out.
Pros:
- A SIM card grants you a Cuban phone number, which can be helpful for making reservations
- You’ll avoid high international roaming fees
- Your SIM will have full coverages via the ETESCA network
Cons:
- Prepare yourself to wait (sometimes up to several hours) in line
- Data packages are pricey
- A physical SIM offers a higher risk of losing or breaking
- SIM cards typically locked to a single carrier, so if there’s a network outage you’ll be without data
Using an eSIM for Cuba
Now listen up to the best modern travel hack for Cuba and beyond: get a Cuba eSIM and call it a day.
If your phone supports an eSIM, you can set up a plan for Cuba from aloSIM before you’ve even started packing your suitcase. No lineups, no invasive paperwork, and no panicking while you search for a stable Wi-Fi connection at the airport.
You can install the aloSIM app via the QR code or by downloading from your preferred app store. Select the amount of data you need and activate the eSIM when it’s installed.
Once your plane touches down, your phone will automatically connect to the local network. This means you’ll have data on the go while your fellow travellers are still juggling their luggage while standing in line to purchase a SIM card.
Pros:
- Activate your eSIM while you packing your toothbrush and swimsuit
- Enjoy instant access to data before the airline even turns off the seatbelt light
- Keep your primary SIM available for calls and texts
- Top-up the data if and whenever needed right through the aloSIM app
Cons:
- Usually an eSIM is data-only, meaning no Cuban phone number; however, aloSIM comes with a free international phone number from Hushed that can be set to any local area code you’d like
- Coverage might be patchy in rural areas (though it’s solid and dependable in tourist spots)
Let’s be honest—life is too short, and Cuba is too amazing to waste any time waiting in line for a SIM card.
