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Best eSIM providers and plans in Cuba in 2025


Cuba has been on quite a journey with the internet. In March 2015, the government of Cuba approved the first public Wi-Fi in Havana. After that, there were hundreds of Wi-Fi hotspots until SIM cards arrived. Nowadays, the most outstanding innovation in this field is eSIMs.

Using a Cuba eSIM has many benefits. You’ll enjoy top-notch convenience, flexible yet affordable eSIM plans, and, most importantly, a reduction in costly roaming charges. Due to this, eSIMs enable connections at all times, simplifying your travel.

eSIMs are a much better option than traditional eSIMs, which require purchasing them in a mobile store. You can also purchase and activate the eSIM online.

In today’s article, I’ll show you the best eSIM Cuba provider and its plans, evaluate the pros and cons, and teach you how to use the eSIM. Let’s get down to business!

The Best eSIM in Cuba – shortlist

What are the pros and cons of eSIMs?

eSIMs are an excellent technological innovation. However, you need to keep in mind that you’ll expect both pros and cons of using an eSIM in Cuba and in general. That’s why I decided to reveal a bit more about eSIMs. Let’s check out their pros and cons together!

eSIM advantages in Cuba

Using an eSIM in Cuba offers several benefits, especially considering the country's unique telecommunications landscape and barriers to access for foreigners and tourists. Although traditional tourist SIM cards are available from ETECSA (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A., the Cuban Telecommunications company) upon arrival, eSIMs provide additional advantages:

Convenience: You can purchase and activate your eSIM before arriving in Cuba, ensuring immediate connectivity upon landing.

Avoiding lines: No need to wait in line at ETECSA offices or authorized resellers to purchase a physical SIM card.

Flexibility: It is easy to switch between your home network and the Cuban network without physically changing SIM cards.

Eco-friendliness: Reduces plastic waste associated with disposable SIM cards.

Dual-SIM functionality: Maintain your home number while using local data, which can be crucial in a country with limited international connectivity.

While eSIMs aren't the only option for tourists, the technology offers a streamlined, modern solution for staying connected in Cuba.

eSIM disadvantages in Cuba

Unfortunately, this eSIM comes with some minor disadvantages. The main issue is the compatibility. In other words, as with all eSIMs, it works only on devices developed in 2019 or later, meaning you can’t use it on older ones.

There are no voice calls or text/SMS. Since the GigSky eSIM – like most eSIMs globally – is data-only, it has no local number for making traditional phone calls or sending SMS/MMS text messages. You can try using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) with apps like WhatsApp or Skype. However, this isn’t always possible in Cuba because of government controls on internet traffic, meaning that you may need a VPN or other techniques to ensure voice connectivity.

Also, the transfer process to move an eSIM to a different device is slower than you might want it to be. It will take at least 5-10 minutes, which could be a long time in an emergency.

Best eSIM option for travelers in Cuba – complete list

I’ve reviewed the top eSIM providers with the Cybernews expert team. However, there is only one major eSIM provider in Cuba. Nevertheless, in my evaluation, I stuck to a few critical criteria: coverage, price, ease of activation, and customer support. So, let’s reveal more about the available eSIM Cuba plans!

1. GigSky ﹘ the best eSIM Cuba provider with free 100MB of internet

GigSky banner
Supported networks:3G, 4G (All available Cuban networks)
Country coverage:190+ countries and regions, including Cuba
Starting price:$6.99/week

GigSky is the best and only eSIM for Cuba. It offers a free trial plan with 100MB of data to see whether you like it before purchasing a plan.

Plan Options. GigSky is a prepaid eSIM for Cuba, which comes with 500MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, and 10GB of data. However, they all offer data services, meaning you can make phone calls only over VoIP apps.

Cuba Plans Pricing. GigSky is a bit expensive compared to other eSIM providers globally. You can get a 500MB of data starting plan for $6.99/week or 10GB for $79.99 for 30 days.

Network Coverage. GigSky doesn’t officially reveal which local carriers it collaborates with. It’s a safe bet to assume that this will be ETECSA since it is the sole telecommunications provider in Cuba. You’ll get 3G or 4G connectivity throughout most of the island, as 5G connectivity is not yet widely available in Cuba.

Activation Process. Activating GigSky is easier than you think. There’s no Know-Your-Customer (KYC) identity verification, and all you have to do is get the app, pick your eSIM plan, install the eSIM, and scan the QR code. You can make your payment with a credit card.

Customer Support. GigSky lacks a live chat option, but it allows you to submit a ticket, browse the FAQs, explore the help center, or read the blog.

Summary of the best eSIM provider for Cuba

BrandPlan durationData sharingUnlimited dataCallsGB per planSupportPrice
GigSky7, 15, and 30 daysYesNoNo500MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, and 10GBIn English via help center, email, FAQs, and blog$6.99-$79.99

How we tested and ranked the best eSIM for Cuba

I conducted thorough tests to evaluate the best and only eSIM available for Cuba. I focused on the coverage, network connection, compatibility, and price. But before we go into more detail, let’s see what I reviewed under each factor:

Coverage:Does it have regional and local plans?
Network connection:Does it support 4G and 5G networks? Is connecting to the network is fast and seamless?
Compatibility:Is it compatible with iOS and Android? Does it support multiple devices?
Price:Is it reasonably priced? Does it offer good value for the money?
  • Coverage. The coverage of the Cuba eSIM is my top priority. This shows whether the eSIM will work there, so I always check if there are local plans. However, I also go for eSIM providers with regional and global ones.
  • Network connection. Another factor that I always consider is the network connection. I pick eSIMs with 5G, 4G, or 4G internet connectivity to have the best internet speeds and stable connections.
  • Compatibility. eSIMs are not compatible with all devices, so I go for those that work with as many devices as possible. I always keep in mind that only devices after 2019 work with eSIMs, so you should also consider this. Therefore, you won’t have a problem with your Cuba eSIM.
  • Price. Ultimately, the price of an eSIM is crucial. Some eSIMs may be very affordable but do not offer everything, and vice versa. Although there is only one eSIM option for Cuba, ensuring that it provides good value for your money is still important.

How to activate an eSIM card – quick guide

Setting up an eSIM is usually quick and easy. However, you should note that the process can vary depending on the provider. Below, I’ll provide some helpful tips to help you successfully set up your Cuba eSIM in no time. Let’s check them out:

  • Scan a QR code. The easiest way to activate your eSIM is to scan the QR code. All you have to do is get the QR code, scan it, and follow the prompts on your screen. Then, go to settings, click ‘Cellular,’ and select ‘Add eSIM.’
  • Set up manually. You can also do this whole process manually, but you should know it’s a bit time-consuming. First, get the SM-DP+ address, activation code, and link. Afterward, go to settings, find ‘Cellular,’ and add the eSIM. Once you’re done, open ‘Manual entry,’ click on ‘Enter Details Manually,’ and type in the SM-DP+ address and the activation code, and that’s it.
  • Use an app. While activating the eSIM through the provider’s app is simple, the process is not entirely automatic. You need to download the app, select a deal, and scan the QR code. Lastly, open your phone’s settings and add the eSIM.
  • Visit the provider's website. This method is a combination of the first and the previous one. Open the website, pick a deal, pay, scan the QR code, and navigate to settings to complete the activation.
  • Get help in-store. Contact the provider's customer support if you’re unsure how to activate your eSIM for Cuba. A representative will send you guidelines or explain one of the methods we’ve listed above.

Is my phone eSIM compatible?

One thing you should remember is that only phones from 2019 and newer support eSIMs. That’s why we prepared a practical eSIM compatibility check guide to help you see if your phone works with this technology.

Which iPhones support eSIMs?

Not all iPhones work with eSIMs. In fact, only the iPhone XR and newer models support eSIM technology, while older models like the iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8 do not. However, what’s interesting is that starting with the iPhone 15 series, iPhones in the US exclusively use eSIMs since these models no longer have a physical SIM card slot.

For more details on using eSIMs with iPhones, check out our eSIM iPhone guide.

Which Samsung smartphones are compatible with eSIMs?

Finding out which Samsung smartphone works with eSIMs is very easy. You just need to open the 'Settings' menu, select 'About Phone,' and check 'Status' or 'IMEI information.' The Samsung S20 and the models after it are compatible with eSIMs. You can also visit our detailed guide to learn about using eSIMs with a Samsung device.

Final thoughts and answer to the question: What’s the Best eSIM for Cuba?

GigSky is the best eSIM provider for Cuba. It has stellar internet speeds, a large customer base, ease of setup, transparent pricing, a user-friendly app, and excellent customer service. All of these things help you get the most out of your Cuba eSIM, making your travel better than ever!


More eSIM guides from Cybernews:


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